AV/Tech Requirements

Mike Rayburn's number one goal is to give the absolute best presentation possible!!! It is for this reason that he does not present/perform while the audience is eating. Presenting during meals makes it next to impossible for Mike to establish the rapport necessary with the audience for a successful program. Aside from the performance itself the sound system is the single most important key to achieving this goal.

Sound

1. One professional quality sound system with external speakers which will adequately cover the performance area and project well to the number of people at this event, keeping in mind that Mr. Rayburn's presentation includes his live guitar and vocals as well as speaking. In-house ceiling speakers are not acceptable.
2. System must include a minimum 6-channel or better mixer or powered mixer with E.Q. controls on each channel.
3. Mr. Rayburn will bring his own microphones and Lectrosonics UM-100 wireless units. He will need provided, one Shure SM-58 microphone or comparable at center stage (no mic stand necessary), one terry cloth hand towel and duct tape. We understand in some large set ups it is too complicated to use the wireless units Mr. Rayburn brings with him. If your setting requires that you use your own wireless units Mr. Rayburn will need one with a Countryman E6 headset mic and one with a 1/4" guitar cable.
4. Mr. Rayburn will use 3 inputs as follows
• one for his vocal wireless
• one for his guitar wireless
• one for the above requested SM-58, which he will tape to the stage and tap with his foot throughout the show. For this mic please provide 1 standard XLR cable to center stage.
5. Please provide one roll of gaffers or duct tape (Mr. Rayburn will use only a few pieces).
6. Please provide 4 professional quality 9 Volt batteries.
7. Please read the "Room Set-up" page for ways to optimize your event.

Staging

As stated above, Mr. Rayburn plays in many different situations ranging from fine theaters to hotel ballrooms, meeting rooms, make-shift stages, multi-purpose rooms and others. We will address all situations in terms of Mr. Rayburn's minimum requirements but as always, the better the staging the better the program. Please call us if you have questions.

• Please provide an 8'X 8' stage or riser appropriate for the room, audience, and situation. [8' X 12' is preferable]. If the stage is made of portable sections please make sure it does not squeak or move when walked on.
• If either the audience seating or the stage are movable, please locate the stage and audience as close together as feasible. This is important because closer proximity facilitates better connection between performer and audience and thus, a better show.
• If you have a choice between rooms for the event, choose the smallest room that will comfortably accommodate the number of attendees you expect. The less empty space in the room the better the energy and connection and again, the better the show will be.

Lighting

Mr. Rayburn plays in a number of different atmospheres with varying possibilities for lighting so we will give you a general description of what he needs and from there please call if you have questions.

If theater lighting is possible Mike needs a nice general wash in the middle 2/3 of the stage. In ballrooms or similar where lighting possibilities are limited the key is to light the stage area in some way to make Mike's show very visible and to help define the situation that this is a show and performance, not background. If possible the audience should be about 75-90% dark. To do the best comedic show possible Mr. Rayburn's facial expressions need to be easily visible so the stage must be lit better and differently than the rest of the room. Also, be sure to light the stage from both sides so as not to cast shadows on one side.

Thanks so much!

If you have any questions concerning Mike Rayburn's AV requirements, please contact Ari Hershberg at ari@seeagency.com or call 214-907-7090.