WARNER ROBINS, GA – Michael “Mike” Smith, founder of MDS Lighting (www.mdslighting.com), died Oct. 16. He was 64. Mike’s son Martin Smith, who is continuing the family business, noted that his father got started in 1981 with just four Altman Lighting Fresnels. “Over the years, he invested in Vari-Lite, James Thomas Engineering, Martin, High End Systems, Avolites, Elation lighting fixtures and more,” Martin noted, adding that Mike Smith’s gear lit a roster of artists including Charlie Daniels, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Disturbed and 50 Cent, “to just name a few. Now that he is gone, I’ll do my best to honor his legacy by continuing the family business.”
