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If you're a fan of live rock music, you've likely heard the defining sounds of Led Zeppelin, Prince, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, and other genre giants. But did you know that the company behind many of those unforgettable sounds was a small Dallas-based company called SHOWCO? Founded in 1965 by Angus Wynne III and Jack Calmes, as SHOWCO Concert Promotions, they quickly became known for bringing top acts to the city, including Bob Dylan, The Doors, and the Beach Boys. SHOWCO’s first large show was the Texas International Pop Festival in 1969. The show was a success in terms of artists and attendance, but not financially. After this, Angus left the concert promotion business and Jack officially turned SHOWCO(est. 1970) into a touring sound reinforcement company with new partners Rusty Brutsche and Jack Maxson. Through trial and error, the team at SHOWCO developed cutting-edge gear that soon had Three Dog Night, Led Zeppelin, and Steppenwolf as their first three touring acts. From the 1970s to the present, SHOWCO's ingenuity has significantly impacted rock and roll's direction, culture, technology, performance, and even its basic business practices. By the 1980s, SHOWCO had become one of the biggest sound providers in the world. If you're a fan of rock music, you owe it to yourself to learn more about the company that helped shape the sound of some of the greatest bands of all time.
My name is Indigo, and I created Showco Archives to honor the legacy of SHOWCO and the people who shaped live music history. My father, Donnie (DK) Kretzschmar, was a SHOWCO sound engineer and Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash survivor, whose dedication inspired this project. Growing up inside the Showco family, I witnessed firsthand the innovation, teamwork, and passion that defined the company.
Showco Archives is a living tribute, built from personal collections and alumni contributions, preserving stories, photos, and memorabilia for future generations. Through the Crew Swag Shop, proceeds support healthcare for SHOWCO alumni and industry charities—giving back to those who gave so much to live music.
By sharing these stories, I hope to keep SHOWCO’s impact alive and ensure these pioneers are recognized by Dallas and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Thank you for helping celebrate and protect this remarkable legacy.
– Indigo Kretzschmar-May
The staff at SHOWCO were an extraordinary group of people from diverse backgrounds who pioneered the rock and roll touring industry. Roadies, lighting designers, sound engineers, woodshop designers, accountants, and tour managers all contributed to the success of the industry. These dedicated individuals came from all corners of the country, recruited by various means, whether it be through newspaper ads, word-of-mouth, or merely spotting a SHOWCO tee at a concert.
Their contribution was invaluable to the evolution of music history, yet they worked tirelessly behind the scenes, behind the music, the band, and the stage without realising the significance of their efforts. They used every technology, talent, and tool available to make the dream come to life, and fifty years on, they remain a tightly-knit group that's more like a family than friends. SHOWCO was, and still is, the family behind the music, making their contribution to music history a legacy that will always be remembered.
"This is a business we carved out, pioneered and set the standards in. Other people were doing these services at the time, but nobody approached it systematically or formed a corporation around it. SHOWCO has been built with people who were considered to be less desirable. We've got some brilliant people over there who don't have degrees but who are frighteningly smart. That's been our gift."
- Jack Calmes 1972
Billboard Magazine Article
Showco Sizzle Reel
SHOWCO®️ are not affiliated, associated, endorsed by, nor do they support, any other SHOWCO related publications other than Showco.co & Showco Archives.
The SHOWCO Archives website was created by Indigo K-May (Showco family) with the support of Showco Alumni.
SHOWCO®️ is a registered trademark of Showco, Ltd.
Orders placed between August 29th and September 6th will be shipped on September 8th. Thank you for your patience while I’m away—your support means a lot, and I’ll get your order out as soon as I return.