Feedback Stories posted by Rob Stemple

On the last post I and another member were doing on "Sound Reinforcement". We started sharing some stories about various gig's we were on. Which reminded me of a good one.

In 2002. I was working for Philadelphia Sound Productions. He is, for the most part, a Harmmond International shop. As a result, Phil Harmmond, would hire us for some of his gigs. One of which, was Miracle on Madison Ave. A benefit for Children with Aids. So, we set up a bunch of JBL Eon 15's up Madison Ave. For 64th St. to 71st St. We are already to go, when Phil Harmmond came over to talk to us for a little bit. As we are talking his wife, Helen, came over to ask for a wireless mic. She wanted to do some announcements to get things started. So, I handed her a Beta 58a, and off she went. Now the mic was already active, unmuted, and ready to go. As she is walking through the crowd. She stops right in front of an Eon. She spots someone that she knows in the crowd, and instead of using her empty hand to wave to them. She uses the one with the Beta 58a in it. We are still talking to Phil, when we hear, WEEEP, WEEEP, WEEEP. As we look to see what is causing the feedback, all three of us see Helen waving the mic directly in front of the horn. Before my boss and I could react. Phil starts running down Madison Ave screaming out. HELEAN! HELEAN! HELLEEAAAN! It is at this point, that my boss and I are more than mildly amused. To see the wife of the worlds largest audio distributor. Looking like a complete fool. Instead of being polite, and reaching over, and hitting mute on the board. My boss and I just sat back to watch the show unfolding in front of us. Not the nicest thing to do, but hey, we were Bord. And nothing else was happening at the time. Other than some woman shouting out her window. If we did not turn the sound system off that she was going to call the cops! At which I responded "Would you like to talk to this one right here?" So I tapped the cop standing right next to me, and said, "I think it's for you." As the cop looked up at her, she just closed her window. And I returned to watch Phil still trying to chase down Helean. What a Day!