In Their Own Words: The Voices of Showco
Every piece of gear has a story—and so does every person who made the music possible. “In Their Own Words” is a living archive of memories, told by the Showco alumni who built, toured, and shaped the sound behind rock’s greatest legends.
Here, you’ll find audio and video stories straight from the crew: the engineers, roadies, techs, and artists who made the magic happen night after night. These are unfiltered memories—funny, heartfelt, sometimes wild, always real—capturing the spirit of a family that turned live sound into history.
This page is dedicated to preserving those voices, honoring the invisible work, and sharing the legacy of Showco as only those who lived it can. Whether you’re a fellow alum, a fan, or just curious about what really happened behind the scenes, you’re invited to listen, remember, and celebrate the stories that made it all possible.
Some of the following audio links will take you to external pages featuring Redbeard’s “In the Studio” recordings, where you can listen to interviews and stories from Showco alumni and other notable figures. Each link opens in a new tab.
In Their Own Words
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Angus Wynne III
The origin story from the last man standing: Dallas impresario Angus Wynne III, who met the late Jack Calmese in a made-for-Hollywood setting, a record store listening booth. Angus brilliantly coined the name, and together they incorporated Showco in 1965 as a talent booking company.
Listen to Angus on Redbeards ‘In the Studio’. Part one of two.
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Blake Dewberry
Listen to Blake on Redbeards ‘In the Studio’.
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Buford Jones
One of The Dirty Dozen original fledgling engineers hired by the Showco founders in 1970, Buford Jones’ non-stop experience over the next ten years with the Seventies’ top touring bands would help solidify both Showco’s pre-eminence and later his personal reputation as one of the industry’s first independent Top Gun FOH mixers.
Listen to Buford on Redbeards ‘In the Studio’. Part one of two.
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Chari Short
Listen to Chari Short on Redbeards ‘In the Studio. Part one of two.
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Chuck Conrad
Chuck Conrad is a live sound pioneer, and has the stories (and scars) to prove it. Chuck was a chance eyewitness and eager participant to the earliest beginnings of the Showco wagon train, at an embryonic time when you could count the cast on one hand.
Listen to Chuck Conrad on Redbeards ‘In the Studio’. This is part one of two.
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Jim Bornhorst
A young Texas A&M graduate who had been raised in England until fifth grade, Jim Bornhorst attended parochial high school in Waco TX, mistakenly did a stint jumping out of airplanes for Uncle Sam, used his Electrical Engineering degree at Collins Radio, then answered an ad in the paper that began with the words “Rock’n’roll. EE degree required…”. And he’d never been to a rock concert in his life.
Listen to Jim Bornhorst on Redbeards ‘In the Studio’. Part one of six.
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John Blasutta
Join Doug Hall as he interviews Showco alum John Blasutta, who recounts his fascinating journey from his early days at Showco to thrilling tours with iconic bands like the Beach Boys and Black Sabbath. Don’t miss these captivating stories that bring the music industry to life!
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Johnny Roberts
Listen to Johnny Roberts on Redbeards ‘In the Studio’. Part one of two.
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Mike Ponczek
Listen to Mike Ponczek on Redbeards ‘In the Studio’. Part one of two.
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Robin Magruder
The longest-serving ( and suffering! ) Showco employee who, in 29 years, rose from grunt to GM.
Listen to Robin Magruder on Redbeards ‘In the Studio’. Part one of three.
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Roy Snyder
Doug Hall engages in a compelling interview with Showco alumnus Roy Boy Snyder. In this insightful discussion, Roy shares his exciting journey starting with Showco and highlights his collaborations with iconic artists like Wings and Linda Ronstadt, providing a fascinating look into his illustrious career and the music industry.