NILES, Ill., Nov. 30, 2015—The 43rd Annual American Music Awards were broadcast on ABC on Sunday night, November 22. Hosted by Jennifer Lopez at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, the program presented the fan-voted honors along with a series of high-profile performances, highlighted by a vocal interpretation of the classic John Williams theme to Star Wars by Pentatonix, and a water-soaked closing medley by Justin Bieber, both using Shure UHF-R® wireless microphones.
Throughout the show, the AMA telecast relied on wireless microphones and in-ear monitors to ensure quick, smooth transitions between acts. While all major brands were on hand to accommodate artist preferences, a decided majority of the RF mics used were Shure systems.
Handling the challenge of making more than 100 RF channels work flawlessly in the crowded RF environment of downtown Los Angeles was a crack production crew of audio experts, led by production mixer Mark King and broadcast music mixers Paul Sandweiss and Biff Dawes. Mikael Stewart (production) and Jim Ebdon (music) mixed front of house sound inside the venue, while monitor mixes for the artists were supplied by Mike Parker and Tom Pesa.
AMA-winning artists performing with Shure wireless mics included Artist of the Year winner One Direction and both Favorite Country Artist honorees, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood. The UR2 transmitters used throughout the evening were topped by a variety of Shure microphone capsules. Rapper Macklemore and vocal-only sensations Pentatonix opted for premium KSM series mic elements, while the Beta 58® was used by both One Direction and Coldplay’s Chris Martin, the latter opting for a Shure Axient® wireless system.
Fittingly, the most popular wireless microphone choice among performers was the classic Shure SM58®. It was selected by a diverse group of artists, including Luke Bryan, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Meghan Trainor, Nick Jonas, Alanis Morissette, and Walk the Moon.
The production crew’s choice wireless systems for in-ear monitors was universal, with ATK Audiotek bringing 24 channels of Shure PSM® 1000, split evenly between the two stages. With its exceptional RF performance, diversity reception, and superb full-range sound, the PSM 1000 has quickly become the go-to personal monitoring system at live events like the AMAs.
Monitor mixer Tom Pesa commented, "Once again faced with interference from LED walls and the latest and greatest lighting instruments, the PSM 1000 continues to be the preferred in-ear system, as always providing strong RF and great sound under the most adverse conditions."
The racks of wireless microphones and in-ear systems were supplied by ATK Audiotek of Valencia, California, while the RF experts from Burbank and Las Vegas-based Soundtronics were brought in for the complex frequency coordination and custom antenna system required to make it all work together flawlessly.
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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.
