NASHVILLE — The first of four Marcus King Band live streams debuted from CAMP PGP this month with much fanfare and success. “With some help from some of our closest friends and a lovely crew of masked, socially distanced, and socially conscious people, we’re excited to have something we can all feel proud of and share with you all!,” King recently told American Songwriter magazine. “It is all very new to us, performing with no audience and still trying to bring the same energy as a full live show.”
More details from PGP (www.premierglobalproduction.com):
This month’s landmark show originated from Camp PGP, a turn key 10,000 square foot video production soundstage located at Premier Global’s headquarters, just minutes from downtown Nashville. The air conditioned studio features a 35,000 lb rigging capacity, multimillion dollar lighting system, 40’ HD video wall, lasers, LSG, haze, cyro jets, loading docks, hospitality areas, internet access, complete television network-ready video production/broadcast signal chain, 16’ camera jib and enteprise/broadcast-ready connectivity via satellite uplink.
King’s management — who also manage longterm PGP lighting client Greta Van Fleet — came to Premier Global with the idea of a show or possible series of shows early in the COVID 19 pandemic. King and his band had just released their new album, Eldorado, and were supposed to tour it in 2020, with many of the dates involving a coveted opening slot on Chris Stapleton’s arena tour (Stapleton is another loyal PGP client). With no way to traditionally showcase King’s new musical effort in front of a live audience, his management team looked to the PGP rehearsal room for inspiration, a room they knew well because of past Greta Van Fleet tour rehearsals.
“Before we were in talks with Marcus’ managers, we had already decided to pivot and turn the PGP rehearsal room into something more, a live streaming sound stage that has evolved into Camp PGP,” says Kevin Blevins, Premier Global’s general manager. “It’s been extra special to launch the concept with the Marcus management team.”
After several lengthy discussions, all involved agreed on what the Marcus King Band would use for production for each broadcast. The biggest challenge from there was finding a suitable remote video production company.
“We settled on Camp Digital, because of their vast experience in remote live music production,’’ says Blevins. “They are also located only 10 minutes away from us, so the best of the best in Nashville was literally in our back yard.”
With Camp Digital’s equipment, camera crews, and directors on board, the Marcus King Band video production has gone smoothly. The lighting system and special effects from Strictly FX have also been flawless in rehearsals and the first show broadcast earlier this month.
“The livestream concept started small and has grown into something I really didn’t anticipate the magnitude of,” King said recently in Nashville’s newspaper, The Tennessean. “It started with an idea of special guests playing with us in a socially distanced fashion. The response from friends was so great that one night has grown into a ‘Four of a Kind’ event.”
On Monday, July 20th, the theme shifts to “Marcus King & Friends.” Maggie Rose and Billy Strings will join King on stage for an all-night jam. “The Marcus King Trio,” featuring special guest Brent Hinds (of Mastodon) will premiere on the 27th before the final performance, “The Marcus King Band performs The Last Waltz” on August 3rd. This finale will include Jennifer Hartswick, Devon Gilfillian, Early James, Elizabeth Cook, Ida Mae, Maggie Rose, Nicki Bluhm, and Sierra Ferrell. Tickets and more info on how to stream will be available at marcuskingband.com.
In the meantime, other bands have used CAMP PGP to record music videos and more live streaming shows are planned for later this month, August and September. “We have potential clients touring the soundstage on a daily basis, so there will be more shows coming at you from Camp PGP,” says Blevins.
