Rusty Brutsche
Rusty Brutsche, a Thomas Jefferson High School (Dallas) graduate from the Class of '63 and a Bachelor of Engineering from Southern Methodist University, developed laser technology at Texas Instruments (TI) for two years. He is a legend in the entertainment industry, having transformed staging and lighting. His invention of portable lighting systems allowed for quick setup and dismantling, significantly reducing costs.
As a co-founder of Showco, he provided sound reinforcement for major acts like Led Zeppelin, Three Dog Night, and James Taylor, helping shape the post-Woodstock era of stadium rock shows. In 1981, he founded Vari-Lite, Inc., revolutionizing concert lighting with motorized systems that enabled lights to move and change colors instantly.
Brutsche was also involved in productions like Jesus Christ Superstar and worked with artists such as Alan Jackson and Eric Clapton. He has been with VLPS Lighting Services International Inc. since 1980 and was president until 2002. He served as Vice Chairman and Chief Technology Officer at PRG Hi-Tech, LLC, and held the same position at Production Resource Group LLC from 2004 to 2011.
Jack Calmes
Mark Allen "Herg" Hergenrader
In honor of my father, Donnie (DK) Kretzschmar
JACK MAXSON
Co-founder of Showco, Inc. and former president of Delta Recording Company and Spot Productions.
Jack was fascinated with electronics from earliest childhood, and began his career as president of the Delta Recording Company and Spot Productions. His major enterprise was the creation in his garage of Showco in 1970, which, under his leadership, would become one of the premier sound system companies in the world. His clients included Sir Paul McCartney and Wings, the Rolling Stones, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, Led Zeppelin, Three Dog Night and James Taylor. This was followed by the founding in 1981 of Vari-lite, a pioneer in laser lighting. In private life, his preference was for classical music, of which he had an encyclopedic knowledge.
Buddy 'Budrock' Prewitt
An old email from Budrock to a friend:
"I am enjoying life, but diagnosed to die sometime in the next 20 or 30 years if I'm lucky. I am just gonna brag a little...I just had a step back in the history of my life and wanted to share. I did my first Willie Show in November of 1977. For 3 more years I still worked for SHOWCO and was sent out to do many different things when Willie was not touring with Sound & Lights.... Mostly Willie, but this one really stands out from the other assignments...this was before I started my now lifetime of exclusively working for Willie in 1980. Wanted to share the last major thing that I did before committing to Willie. Some of my Proud History In March of 1979, we (SHOWCO Crew) flew into Cuba from Miami in a private commercial plane with most of the musicians listed below.it became one of the most memorable weeks of my life. Way too many things to remember to list all of them, plus I can remember it alot of it with the help of the following facts from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havana_Jam" -Budrock
Kirby Wyatt
Showco Lighting Department/Showco Creative Services
1971-1995
In 1972, Showco made a bold move by adding lighting to its services, led by the innovative Kirby Wyatt, who used industrial equipment like lifts and trusses to rig lights above stages.
As the head of Showco's lighting department, Kirby recognized the demand for groundbreaking solutions. He envisioned a Par 64 light capable of changing colors and challenged his team with three specifications:
1. Colors must change with random access.
2. Changes should occur in a quarter of a second.
3. At least six colors should be available.
By 1992, Vari-Lite revolutionized the industry with its Series 300 system and VL5 wash luminaire. This compact and silently operating gear opened new markets, shifting from rentals to sales and gaining traction in corporate events, thanks in part to Kirby Wyatt’s establishment of Showco Creative Services in 1980, which evolved into the Vari-Lite subsidiary IGNITION! Creative Group, Inc.
Kirby also played a key role in the iconic Reunion Tower "The Ball" light installation at the Hyatt Hotel in Dallas, Texas in 1978(Feb. 2nd). Despite the era's technological limitations, he expertly programmed sequences that maximized visual impact, demonstrating his innovative spirit and reshaping the lighting industry.
Furthermore, Kirby is credited in Led Zeppelin's 'The Song Remains the Same' for his contributions to visual effects and lighting.