Welcome to the Front of the House Fridays (FotHF) podcast series on the ProSoundWeb Network, presented every Friday by Yamaha Pro Audio and hosted by veteran live and studio engineer Russ Long, who records his conversations with noted audio professionals literally in front of their homes in following current social distancing guidelines.
In Episode 2, Russ talks with Rick May, who shares his unique career path as a musician and a noted front of house engineer. Rick began as a producer/engineer based in the Columbus, Ohio area, and also a drummer, he was half of the duo that formed the band The Walter Eugenes (on the Star Song Communications label) in the early 1990s.
After that he became the drummer for popular Christian rap/rock group dc Talk, who he toured with for seven years before founding an audio and lighting production company. Some of the bands and artists he’s served as FOH engineer for include Twenty One Pilots, Tenth Avenue North, Hawk Nelson, Family Force Five, Emery, Kmax, Dennis Quaid and The Sharks, Sanctus Real, and KJ52.
Currently FOH for MercyMe, Rick describes himself as a creative mix engineer who’s always in pursuit of making the live concert experience unforgettable. He resides in Columbus with his wife and son.
Host Russ Long is a top touring and multi-platinum recording and mix engineer who’s worked in professional audio for more than 30 years. Following a decade as Steven Curtis Chapman’s FOH engineer, he has spent over 12 years mixing FOH for Amy Grant, and has also mixed numerous high-profile events such as the KLOVE Music awards, the Challenge America Musical Gala at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and Barbara Bush’s 90th birthday concert featuring Reba McEntire, Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant. In addition, he’s been part of the audio team for numerous broadcast events such as the Grammy Awards, the CMA Awards, ABC’s “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” TV Special, and more. Russ is currently part of Yamaha’s console R&D team.
