Bob Peterson and Bandit Light Trumpet Awards on Bounce

	25th Annual Trumpet Awards

It was a star-studded evening at the 25th Annual Trumpet Awards, a tremendous celebration of African American achievers and those who support the African American experience. Bounce, who recently acquired the show, produced and aired the awards Sunday, January 29. Bandit Lites provided the lighting package for the evening which took place January 21 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. The event honors accomplishments in diverse fields including law, medicine, business, politics, the arts, civil rights, sports, entrepreneurship, entertainment, and other careers. Hosted by the Emmy nominated writer and actor Deon Cole and seven-time NAACP Image Award nominated actress Nicole Ari Parker, the honorees of this year's Trumpet Awards included New Edition, Wendy Williams, Peabo Bryson, Dikembe Mutumbo, and Martin Luther King III.

Performances for the evening show featured Tamela Mann, Erica Campbell, Kenny Lattimore, Lalah Hathaway, Shirley Caesar, Jagged Edge, Regina Belle, Silk and more, while appearances included Vanessa Bell Calloway, David Mann, Lou Gossett, Jr., Bill Withers, Ed Lover, Willie More, Jr., Ed Gordon, and others. In a very special tribute, civil rights icon and founder of the Trumpet Awards Xernona Clayton was presented with the illustrious Golden Trumpet Award in recognition of her leadership and work in building the legacy of the awards.

Bandit supplied lighting designer Bob Peterson more than 150 fixtures for the event. Martin by Harman MAC Vipers were utilized overhead for band backlight, floor, and scenic texture and audience spray. PixelLine 144s illuminated the draperies, while Martin MAC Auras washed the audience in the house along with the scenic panels on stage. Philips Vari-Lite VL3500s provided focus and color correctable keys on the first electric and the balcony rail and VL500s lit downstage draperies and provided dance and performance low cross light. Two MA Lighting grandMA 2 full consoles were used for control.

"Robe BMFLs were hung vertically in middle ground, where they could provide powerful beam graphic and blowout," Peterson said, "and I put Claypaky Sharpys just above the close-up at center where they had a central location from which to radiate up, down and out."

The evening was a smashing success, with audience members leaping to their feet and dancing in the aisles.

"Rehearsals were very limited, so much of the show was executed live in real time," Peterson shared. "Not my preferred system, but it certainly kept everyone on their toes."

"As always, every bit of the process through Bandit was pleasant," finished Peterson. "Mike Golden met our gear needs and budget without hassle, the gear was well prepped and I got to work with two of my favorite people: Andy Knighton and John Lucksinger."