Niles, IL, Nov. 13, 2017—The 51st Country Music Association Awards show was staged in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 8. Broadcast live in surround sound on ABC, the show boasted a star-studded cast of country music performers backed by a veteran crew of audio professionals. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood co-hosted for the tenth consecutive year.
Amid the celebratory awards and unique live performances, this year’s show included a rather melancholy note, with Underwood singing the hymn “Softly and Tenderly,” honoring the passing of industry greats and the recent tragedy in Las Vegas. Other tributes included Vocal Group of the Year winners Little Big Town with their rendition of “Wichita Lineman,” in memory of Glen Campbell, and Dierks Bentley and Rascal Flatts teaming up to deliver “My Town” for the late Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry.
The production team, led by Audio Producer Tom Davis and Production Mixer Mark King, with RF coordination assistance from James Stoffo, used dozens of Shure wireless microphones, including UHF-R® and the new Axient Digital systems. Monitors were an all-Shure affair: All wireless in-ear monitoring systems were powered by PSM®1000, while 15 Shure P6HW units were used for hardwired in-ear applications. The primary sound system and backline supplier was ATK Audiotek.
Music mixers for the broadcast feed were John Harris and Jay Vicari of Music Mix Mobile, while attendees were treated to FOH music mixes by Rick Shimer, delivered by House PA Mixer Patrick Baltzell. Monitor mixes for the artists were provided by Jason Spence and Tom Pesa.
With all artists being free to select their preferred microphones, Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert went for the old-school look of the Shure 5575LE for a stunning rendition of her single “To Learn Her.” Music mixer John Harris was impressed with the modern sound quality of the mic, praising both Lambert and her selection. “The iconic style of the 5575LE was a beautiful complement to Miranda’s classic performance,” he commented. “I had plenty of gain, which allowed its warm sound to sit perfectly above the mix.”
Of course, most performers used wireless microphones, and Shure’s RF dominance was hard to miss. Luke Bryan used a new AD2/SM58 wireless for his performance of “Light It Up,” while the tried-and-true UHF-R delivered vocals for a wide range of artists on Country Music’s Biggest Night™.
The classic SM58® capsule sat atop UR2 handhelds used by New Artist of the Year and new Shure endorser Jon Pardi, as well as those used by Darius Rucker and Single of the Year winner Keith Urban. SM58 capsules were also paired for the duet between Shure endorser Maren Morris and One Direction vocalist Niall Horan. The supercardioid Beta 58 was the choice for Kelsea Ballerini and for Alan Jackson, among others. These popular Shure models were used together on several of the show’s legendary vocal events, including performances by Tim McGraw (Beta 58) and Faith Hill (SM58), Rascal Flatts (SM58) with Dierks Bentley (Beta 58), and host Brad Paisley (Beta 58) with Kane Brown (SM58).
Vocal Group of the Year and Shure endorsers Little Big Town also performed on UHF-R wireless systems, with Karen and Jimi using SM58, Phillip on Beta 58, and Kimberly using the condenser Beta 87. Old Dominion rounded out the Shure wireless lineup, using the UR2 with KSM9 condenser mic elements.
Shure’s Nashville-based Artist Relations Manager Ryan Smith was also on hand. He was inspired by the quality of the evening’s performances and the sense of community and unity evident throughout the show. “The 51st CMA Awards show was filled with many emotional performances,” says Smith. “It was an honor to be there with so many music industry friends to honor those lost, and to celebrate life.”
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.
