Sara Evans Performs for Red Cross Under Bandit Lights

	Sara Evans performs for the Red Cross with Bandit Lites.

Bandit Lites continued its charitable giving with Red, White & Rock: an Evening of Music benefitting the American Red Cross. The event, which featured a performance by country music super star Sara Evans, was held April 24 at Scripps Networks Interactive headquarters. Bandit's director of philanthropy, Allison Burchett was the event chair this year following being on the Red White & Rock committee last year.

"Since it is named red, white, and rock, I really wanted to step it up this year musically, and I think we nailed it," explained Burchett.

The event, whose funds all stay local to the Knoxville, Tennessee area, took place at a television studio at Scripps Networks Interactive, home to HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, and the Travel channel. Lighting designer Giff Swart utilized the wide array of house lights, and then added white spandex truss socks and white spandex columns as accent pieces, which worked well with a huge white spandex cyc serving as the color palette.

"We love challenges," laughed Burchett. "We had the Scripps company meeting, complete with a live broadcast to thousands of employees, then flipped the room to do the very intimate Sara Evans charity event, then flipped the room yet again for a WICT (Women in Cable Telecommunications) event the next morning, all while trying to use many of the same elements to save each of the clients as much production costs and labor/trouble as possible."

Bandit also donated the use of its GRN Lite LED fixtures, providing an energy efficient alternative with brilliant color washes. Lighting director Gavin Lake utilized GRN battens for front and back light in addition to the GRN Pars for truss toners and highlighting the accent pieces.

"I want to thank Ken Lowe and Melissa Sykes and their extraordinary staff at Scripps for making this event happen," said Bandit's chair, Michael T. Strickland. "A big tip of the hat goes to Sarah Trahern, CEO of The CMA, who got the ball rolling with Sara Evans. I also want to thank Sara Evans and her incredible team for being such a pleasure to work with. Lastly, I wish to thank Allison Burchett for working so tirelessly to make this event come true!"

"Honestly, from day one Michael and Allison were both on board with Red, White & Rock," said April Stouffer of the Red Cross. "Bandit Lites took staging, lighting, and sound off our plate so we didn't have to. The event would NOT have happened if they had not been involved. Allison managed everything from sponsors' logos to catering to Sara's hospitality basket and last minute items. Allison also held weekly calls to make sure all aspects of production were covered. To use Michael's words, she is literally a wonder woman. I have known Michael for over twenty years, and Allison and I have been friends now for several years. They are both very important to me and have always been a great supporter of mine."