Niles, IL, Nov. 3, 2015 —The Grand Ole Opry is often referred to as the “home of American music” and is known around the world for creating one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences. Beginning as a simple radio broadcast and evolving into a live entertainment phenomenon, the Opry has not missed a Saturday night radio broadcast since 1925. For 90 years, the Opry has served as the center stage for country’s greatest artists, and has maintained an exemplary partnership with Shure, a Company also celebrating 90 years in 2015. With a multitude of performers each week, quick artist changeovers between commercial breaks and nearly 180 shows a year, the Opry’s Monitor Engineer Mark Thomas has no time for malfunctioning audio equipment, which has led him and his team to maintain a longstanding history of using Shure products. 
For its weekly radio and live broadcasts, the Opry has up to 14 acts per night, requiring reliable and flexible equipment act after act, night after night. With this in mind, Thomas and his team have equipped the Opry with a robust lineup of Shure products and have looked to the Company’s wireless and in-ear systems for the versatility and dependability they are known to provide. Recently, the Opry installed Shure Axient® Wireless Systems and were impressed with its simplicity and ease of use. To make the most of the system’s features, the team leverages the integration of Shure’s Wireless Workbench® software for flawless RF performance. Given the Opry’s lengthy broadcasts, the integration of Axient’s rechargeable battery systems was an important factor in the decision to purchase the system, as the venue’s microphones can be in use for up to eight hours.
“It’s no secret that the Opry is home to exceptional broadcasts and impressive audio performances. All of this, combined with respected musical acts, has helped make the Opry experience a defining force for the past 90 years,” said Thomas. “To deliver a great performance, you need even better audio gear and wireless systems. This is why we’ve always relied on Shure. The Axient wireless system with Wireless Workbench produces near-perfect RF performance, and is simple to use. Lengthy shows and artist changeovers create the need for a dependable battery system as well. Axient’s rechargeable battery was a big selling point for our team.”
Attracting some of country music’s most respected musicians, Thomas and his team rely on Shure products that artists are both familiar and comfortable with. As such, the Opry has looked to Shure’s PSM®1000 Personal Monitoring System. Thomas selected PSM 1000 for its sonic clarity and excellent RF stability.
“Just about every artist we’ve come in contact with at the Opry has experience with PSM 1000 and has confidence in using it,” Thomas states.
The Opry also uses a variety of Shure wired microphones, notably the SM58®. Selecting this legendary microphone was an easy choice for Thomas, as he and his team have been longtime supporters and users of this popular mic.
“Just like the Opry, Shure had a rich history of delivering on everything that it promised, from product quality to an exceptional user experience—two things we count on here at the Opry,” added Thomas. “We’re proud of our longstanding relationship with Shure and look forward to what the future holds for the both of us.”
To learn more about the Grand Ole Opry, visit www.opry.com. For more information on Shure, visitwww.shure.com.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
