James O’Hara

Back line technician Audio crew loading load out showroom

I only work big shows when I work there.

Setting up shows in the showroom, including back line and Audio.

Working in the shop, pulling orders, returning orders, both Audio and back line.

Making deliveries and pick ups driving trucks

Working gigs

Festivals

8 Rock legends cruises

Quality control, and testing gear, including guitars basis, keyboards, and all related accessories

Making sure that everything I left the shop came back to the shop.

There are two parts to this job, shop and gigs.

In the shop,

pulling orders accurately, knowing how to read a back line list, stage plot input list and knowing want questions to ask if there’s any confusion. Loading / unloading trucks. And safely deliver/pick up return gear to and from venues, making sure everything that left makes it back.

Quality control gear. Test all gear / instruments

for function efficiently without wasting time.

Knowing the shop, everything has a place and everything must be in that place.

Gigs

Getting stage set, all Backline set up and tested for function, working with tour crew and musicians after for fine adjustment.

Being on deck and visible and attentive during sound check. Anything goes wrong you need to fix it fast.

Dead case management, cases need to be easily accessible for an efficient load out.

Show time

Need to be on deck and alert at all times during the show, if something goes wrong it needs to fixed fast

Load out.

Have a plan, use hands / crew to help pack up

Make sure that everything is packed up neatly, securely and triple check all gear - everything that leaves the shop must get back to the shop.

Last thing is loading the truck make sure the truck is loaded in a Safeway and everything strapped down and secure.

One more last thing it never hurts to do another dummy check I believe there’s always one thing.

Setting up backline and Audio for Secret Service band in the tri-state area club circuit. Job duties included. Driving to shows setting up PA and back line mixing monitors. At the end of the show broke everything down and drove home.

This was my introduction to the music business. It was two days a week for two years.