Gavin DeGraw and David Cook Take Clay Paky Sharpys and grandMA2 light on Nationwide Tour

	David Cook

Singer-songwriters Gavin DeGraw and David Cook, the latter an American Idol winner, recently co-headlined a U.S. tour and Clay Paky Sharpys and a grandMA2 light went along for the ride. A.C.T Lighting is the North American distributor of Clay Paky fixtures and the grandMA2.

DeGraw and Cook visited cities on a continental swing that commenced October 9. DeGraw performed songs from his fourth album, Sweeter, and Cook appeared in support of his most recent album, This Loud Morning.

Lighting designer/director Scott Warner was responsible for maximizing a limited lighting rig so all the bands appearing with DeGraw and Cook had a unique look. He also served as the programmer and operator for the tour bands.

Instead of using conventional vertical trusses, Warner opted to create a three-level wall of truss at the back of the stage. "With three levels, it looks like I have three layers of light," he explains. "It gives me a nice wall of lights. On the top level I have nine Sharpys, and I frame the bands with them.

"They're a fantastic light, and I love that I can instantly move them around so if something is sounding cool on stage, I can go to it," he continues. "The Sharpys are super bright -- in fact, I have to watch where I aim them so I don't burn a hole in the back of an amplifier! I've never used Clay Paky lights before, so the Sharpys are a great introduction. The bands love them too -- during sound checks everyone comments on them. They call them "lasers."

Warner was also a first-time grandMA2 user. He used the console to control not only the Clay Paky Sharpys but also an array of Robe REDWash, Martin Professional 700, Atomic Strobes and Lowel Omni lights.

"I saw the grandMA2 Light at LDI and loved the look -- it's a great-looking console and people come up to me to say how cool it is. It's also very fast; I don't have to wait for anything. I like the touch control and bump buttons. It feels good running the show, more fun - like sitting at a Mac computer." He also likes having access to more DMX universes on the grandMA2 Light.