Bill ‘ Doc’ Gans

Bill "Doc" Gans was a versatile SHOWCO sound engineer who could handle just about anything on the road — Monitors, FOH, and 3rd Man — across a decade of touring with some of the biggest names in music. He's best known for his long runs with James Taylor and Jackson Browne, and he shared office space with my father, Donnie "DK" Kretzschmar, making him part of that tight behind-the-scenes SHOWCO family I'm always working to preserve.

Doc was famous for bringing his skateboard everywhere on the road — and if you've seen Jackson Browne's Running on Empty video, you might've caught a glimpse of him rolling through in a SHOWCO shirt. The skateboard became such a fixture on tour that it eventually caused a bit of trouble when Jackson Browne himself decided to take it for a spin and nearly wiped out. After that close call, Doc was politely informed the skateboard had to stay home.

From 1973 to 1982, Doc ran sound for an incredible roster of artists: James Taylor, Kim Carnes, Karla Bonoff, Jackson Browne, Larry Coryell, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Dionne Warwick, Mountain, Wishbone Ash, ELO, Beach Boys, Uriah Heep, Starship Encounters / Various Orchestras, The Who, Elvis Costello, Emmy Lou Harris, Golden Earring, Carole King, Average White Band, Cretones, Neil Sedaka, Elvin Bishop, ZZ Top, Black Oak Arkansas, and JD Souther. He handled monitors, ran FOH, and served as 3rd Man depending on the tour, picking up what SHOWCO called "Babysitter" duties on runs with ELO, The Who (alongside Pridden), and Elvis Costello.

Doc also worked TV specials and events including a Showtime Special with James Taylor at Blossum, Midnight Special with ELO, Soul Train with Average White Band, and the Muse Concerts film at Madison Square Garden. Doc worked the Buddy Holly Movie Premiere Party at the Longhorn Ballroom alongside my father, Donnie "DK" Kretzschmar, and fellow alum Lonnie McKenzie — and his original Longhorn Ballroom shirt from that night is available now in the Crew Swag Shop!

If you have any photos, stories, or memorabilia from your time working with Doc, I'd love to hear from you. Every piece helps tell the full story. Reach out anytime at indigo@showcoarchives.com.