FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL – Grammy-nominated R&B legend Stephanie Mills hit the road with Heil Sound microphones for “The Queens” tour, a co-headlining concert series with Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan, that launched in Las Vegas and will continue through October of 2025. The comprehensive Heil Sound microphone package includes PR22s, Handi Mic Pro Plus, PR40s, and PR31BWs for drum applications, with vocals handled by RC37 capsules on Shure transmitters. Star performer Stephanie Mills uses a custom gold finish RC35 capsule, while guitar amplifiers utilize PR31BW microphones and a PR40 on the bass guitar amp.
Elite AV Elements, based in Chesapeake, Virginia, is providing production services for the tour, ensuring world-class sound quality across all venues. The production team features veteran audio engineers Louis McKay handling front-of-house mixing duties and Courtney Gladney managing monitor mixing responsibilities. Michael Johnson from Elite AV Elements serves double duty as both crew chief and production manager for the tour.
The tour’s audio system includes L-Acoustics K2 loudspeakers for the main PA system, complemented by d&b audiotechnik wedges for stage monitoring. Both monitor and front-of-house positions utilize DiGiCo Quantum 338 mixing consoles, as requested by McKay and Gladney.
“We are using Heil mics everywhere with Stephanie and everyone’s mind is blown by the sound,” said McKay, a long-time Heil Sound user. “Working with artists of Stephanie Mills’ caliber requires microphones that can deliver consistent, professional results night after night and we get that from Heil.”
Monitor Engineer Courtney Gladney, also a veteran Heil Sound user, adds his expertise to the production team, ensuring optimal stage sound for the performers throughout the tour.
The complex logistics of managing four headline acts with individual bands required innovative staging solutions. To ensure tightly executed set changes, the production incorporates a 40-foot revolving turntable on the stage, allowing the crew to set up one act while another is performing. This solution maintains the show’s momentum while accommodating the substantial equipment requirements of multiple full bands.. After the initial Las Vegas launch, the tour will continue across multiple markets before taking a mid-summer break and resuming through October.
For more information on the company, visit www.heilsound.com.
