Dusty D. Hudgins

Lighting Designer, Director & Programmer

Dusty D. Hudgins is a Showco alumnus whose career encompassed long-term concert touring, short-term tours, television, Broadway, nightclub production, video, film, sporting events, conventions, trade shows, and special events.

His project catalog reflects a remarkable range of work as a lighting designer, lighting director, lighting programmer, installation specialist, concert lighting director, and project manager.

Long-Term Lighting Design, Direction & Programming

• Genesis — March 1978–April 1979

• Willie Nelson — February 1980–March 1984

• Delbert McClinton — February 1980–June 1981

• Liza Minnelli — January 1985–June 1986

• Kenny Rogers — July 1986–July 1991

Short-Term Tours

Dusty’s short-term touring credits included:

B. J. Thomas; Bad Company; Baillie and the Boys; The Beach Boys; Billy Squier; Black Sabbath; Buddy Guy; David Allan Coe; Dolly Parton; Eric Clapton; Garth Brooks; Gary Morris; Glen Campbell; Hall & Oates; Holly Dunn; Jimmie Vaughan; Joan Rivers; KC and the Sunshine Band; Leon Russell; Lorrie Morgan; Mac Davis; Mark Chesnutt; Parliament-Funkadelic; Pointer Sisters; REO Speedwagon; Ringo Starr; Rip Taylor; Robert Cray; Roy Clark; Sammy Hagar; Skip Ewing; Sweethearts of the Rodeo; T. Graham Brown; Tanya Tucker; The Bellamy Brothers; The Commodores; The Grateful Dead; The Kinks; The Tubes; Toto; Travis Tritt; Van Halen; Waylon Jennings; Wayne Newton; and ZZ Top.

Television Lighting Design, Direction, Installation & Programming

Dusty’s television credits included:

• “Real Life” with Dr. Gerald Mann — The Hallmark Channel

• Liza Minnelli in London at the Palladium — HBO Network

• Willie Nelson and Family — HBO Network

• American Music Awards — Dick Clark Productions

• Statue of Liberty Celebration — ABC Network

• Martin Luther King Special — NBC Network

• YMO Festival — Fuji Television, Japan

• Nashville Now — The Nashville Network

• Arsenio Hall — Paramount Television

• US Festival — Turner Broadcasting

• Kenny Rogers Special: Working for a Living — NBC Network

• Miss Teen U.S.A. Pageant — CBS Network

• Star Search

• Solid Gold

• Motown Revue

Broadway Lighting

• Patti LaBelle on Broadway — Lighting design, installation, and/or programming

Nightclub Lighting

• Willie Nelson’s “Night Life” — Nashville, Tennessee

Video Lighting

• Tina Turner — Pepsi-Cola video commercials

Film

• The Songwriter (1984) — Concert Lighting Director

• Idiocracy (2006) — Automated Lighting Programmer

Sporting Events

• 1996 Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies — Project Manager for Syncrolite Systems, Inc.

• 1996 John Hancock Tour of World Gymnastic Champions — Lighting Director

• 1997 John Hancock Tour of World Gymnastic Champions — Lighting Director

Conventions and Trade Shows

Dusty’s convention and trade-show work included projects for:

Procter & Gamble; Mary Kay Cosmetics; Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals; GTE; J.C. Penney; Dole Foods; National Teachers Association; National Association of Record Manufacturers; Apple Computers; YWCA Women of Achievement Awards; American Rental Association Convention; American Cancer Society Hall of Fashion Ball; Big Easy Entertainment Awards; Michael Jordan Foundation; US Air Pittsburgh Terminal Grand Opening; The St. Paul Companies; and the Pura Vida Awards.

Speaking Engagements and Magazine Articles

• Lighting Dimensions International Convention, 1989 — “Lighting Country and Western”

• Lighting Dimensions International Convention, 1991 — “Designing Headliners”

• Lighting Dimensions International Convention, 1992 — “CAD Design”

• Lighting Dimensions Magazine, May 2002 — “GrandMA Goes to Church”

Dusty’s catalog illustrates the many different environments in which professional lighting specialists contribute to live entertainment—from arena tours and television specials to Broadway, film, corporate events, and international celebrations.

If you worked with Dusty, toured alongside him, recognize yourself or someone else in these projects, or have photographs, memories, corrections, or additional information to share, please use the “Add to the Story” feature below.

Every contribution helps preserve the people, skills, and memories behind live music history—and keeps The Family Behind the Music alive for future generations.