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Tom Wheeler, FCC Chairman

Wireless Spectrum Update: Finally, A Ray of Hope

WASHINGTON, DC – Ever since last year, when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced plans to auction off the 608 to 698 MHz UHF spectrum — the UHF TV channels 36 through 51 — the pro audio community has been justifiably worried. After all, many pro users have far-too-vivid memories of the last reallocation of TV channels 52 to 69 (the so-called “700 MHz band” from 698 to 806 MHz) in 2008, which were made illegal for pro wireless applications after June 12, 2010.

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Sennheiser at the 2014 ECHO Awards in Germany

BERLIN – Delivering high-quality sound for many of today’s top performers, Sennheiser provided microphones for the the 23rd ECHO Awards Ceremony held in Berlin. Both traditional and wireless technology was used, and the number of wireless channels was particularly impressive: a total of around 200 frequencies were in use for the awards. For her performance, Kylie Minogue used a Sennheiser SKM 5200 handheld transmitter, while Shakira’s management had requested two SKM 5200s with Neumann KK 105 capsules. Wired Sennheiser microphones were used both by artists – such as the five e 935s used by Peter Maffay and his band – but also on the host’s podium, where two ME 36s on goosenecks ensured that speech was heard with perfect clarity.

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MerleFest Continues, with Support from SE Systems, Yamaha and NEXO

WILKESBORO, NC — For 27 years, SE Systems of Greensboro, N.C. has provided audio production for MerleFest. SE Systems, a longtime Yamaha Commercial Audio customer, recently added four CL5 digital audio consoles to their inventory. MerleFest 2014, held the last weekend in April, included more 125 artists with area roots such as Alan Jackson and Merle Haggard.

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Skillet Tours with Meyer Sound LEO Provided by Blackhawk Audio

AUSTIN, TX – Christian hard-rock band Skillet is now performing on a tour visiting amphitheatres across North America with rappers TobyMac and Lecrae. Skillet FOH engineer Robert Taylor credited the Meyer Sound LEO linear large-scale sound reinforcement system provided by Blackhawk Audio as “perfect for what we do.” The standard configuration is 16 LEO-M line array loudspeakers per side, with two MICA line array loudspeakers per side used for down fill.

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Santana Monitor Engineer Using SSL Live Console from Sound Image

Santana Monitor Engineer Using SSL Live Console from Sound Image

LAS VEGAS – Brian Montgomery, monitor engineer for Carlos Santana, has been using a Sound Image-supplied SSL Live console to support the guitarist on a variety of gigs including stops at the Dubai Jazz Festival, Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium, Cape Town’s Grand Arena and the New Orleans Jazz Festival as part of Santana’s Corazon tour. He is continuing to use the console as Santana teams up with Rod Stewart for this year’s spring and summer tour, The Voice, The Guitar, The Songs.

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A group of Nashville-based musicians assembled as The Cunningham Willis Consortium, who performed live on the evening of the second day of recent Bose® RoomMatch® demo sessions at Ben’s Studio (formerly RCA Studio A) in Nashville.

Bose Hosts RoomMatch Demo Series in Nashville

NASHVILLE. TN – Bose Professional Systems held a three-day series of events demonstrating its RoomMatch modules at Ben’s Studio, the historic Music Row studio space formerly known as RCA Studio A and now operated by singer-songwriter and producer Ben Folds. A special highlight was a live performance by The Cunningham Willis Consortium, demonstrating the system’s range with a wide variety of musical styles, including rock, R&B, gospel, folk and more. Pictured here is an educational session held during the event.

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Kevin Madden

Kevin Madden to Head Eastern Region Sales for Allen & Heath

WOODLAND HILLS, CA — American Music & Sound has named Kevin Madden as eastern regional sales manager. An accomplished audio marketing professional, Madden will be responsible for the continued growth of the Allen & Heath brand in the Eastern U.S. With decades worth of experience as an audio engineer, both in live sound and studio recording, Madden brings a wealth of product and market development experience with him.

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Circus “Hair Hang” Apparatus Fails, Nine Performers Hospitalized

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus aerial act was disrupted at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center here May 4 as the apparatus for the all-female “hair hang act” failed. About 20 were injured, including eight performers who fell from a 30-foot height. All eight sustained serious injuries. A ninth performer on the ground also sustained serious injury.

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Miami Approves Ultra Music Festival’s Return in 2015

MIAMI — After a security guard was severely injured by non-ticketed gate crashers on the opening Friday of the 2014 Ultra Music Festival, which had returned to a single-weekend format March 28-30, Miami mayor Tomas Regalado vowed to permanently ban the festival from the city. Although one commissioner joined Regalado in opposing an Ultra Music Festival 2015, four others voted to keep the festival at Miami’s downtown Bayfront Park.

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The 2014 PLSN/FOH Parnelli Classic Golf Tournament takes place at the Siena Golf Club in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 17.

Parnelli Classic Golf Tournament Moves to June

LAS VEGAS — The captains of the live entertainment and media install industries converge on Las Vegas for the InfoComm show this June, but only one lucky team will be able to carry a Parnelli Classic “First Place” trophy home with them. The FOH/PLSN Parnelli Classic golf tournament will take place Tuesday, June 17 at the Siena Golf Club in Las Vegas, and proceeds will benefit the Parnelli Scholarship fund, supporting the next generation of live entertainment professionals at UNLV.

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