Bandit joins Erick Baker Valentine special
- Details
In what could have been right out of a movie, Bandit Lites production manager Allison Burchett found herself bumping into Erick at the world-renowned Blackberry Farm resort, only then he was known as the brother of event planner Jennifer Laraia and husband of Jenn’s business associate Mandy.
“I would always hear Erick happily humming and singing as we set-up,” shared Allison. “So one day I said to him, ‘You should sing for a living!’ I was surprised when he responded with, “Well, actually I do!’ I can only imagine the look on my face, so he said, ‘My name is Erick Baker,’ and before he could say another word, ‘I said, oh my goodness, Erick Baker, I’ve even seen you in concert, I am so embarrassed. You are wonderful! Please let me know if Bandit can ever help you in any way!’”
When Erick reached out to Allison regarding the lighting for his annual Valentine’s performance, he initially requested romantic chandeliers and candles on stage, a detail Allison noted didn’t really connect with his rugged, outdoorsy personality, especially considering Baker also hosts the PBS show Tennessee Uncharted.
“I suggested chandeliers made up of wooden, twisted grape vines to give him that romantic look for the show, but not overly girly,” she explained. “Erick loved it! Also, I wanted to make sure the chandeliers were hung at all different lengths, because as both in lighting and in life, when we are all trying to achieve perfection, it usually ends up one big mess, but when we are all perfect in our own unique way, it’s just beautiful.”
Lighting director Alex Becker utilized the Bijou’s rig for functional lighting, including their LED Pars for backlight and color along with conventional lekos for zone lighting, while Bandit supplied Martin MAC 2000 Spots with Apollo Heart Confetti Gobos, casting beams on the dome of the theatre and giving an alluring, quixotic glow.
“We also provided a DF-50 hazer for the beam looks,” added lighting designer and Bandit’s General Manager Giff Swart. “We also put each customized grape-vine chandeliers on its own dimmer channel.” The result was an evening that Baker himself referred to as “a night he’d never forget,” and one Bandit was honoured to illuminate.
“This was such a great show to be a part of, especially for someone as remarkable as Erick Baker,” Allison said. “He’s a great singer/songwriter, but even more importantly, an even greater husband, father, and person. You hear this in his lyrics, and you see it in his day to day walk. In our business, it all begins with a song, and I don’t know anyone more passionate about the subjects he is writing about than Erick. We were proud to be a part of this special evening.”
(Jim Evans)
