Jim Bornhorst

From touring sound electronics to the development of Vari-Lite

Jim Bornhorst’s career connects two defining parts of Showco’s history: designing equipment for touring sound and developing the lighting technology that became Vari-Lite.

He joined Showco in January 1972 after answering a newspaper advertisement seeking an engineer for the rock-and-roll business. An electrical engineering graduate with a longstanding interest in audio, he found a company developing equipment around problems its people encountered on tour.

Audio engineering and the Superboard

An early project involved a compact frequency-dividing network for Showco’s sound systems. Jim then designed the electronics and circuit boards for the Superboard, a 30-input touring console with extensive sound-shaping controls.

He described that project as a collaboration: Jack Maxson wrote the specifications, Rusty Brutsche handled the mechanical design, and Jim supplied the electronics. It followed earlier mixer and console work by Chuck Conrad.

Jim also worked on tour, including as front-of-house engineer for Jackson Browne. The relationship between design and performance gave him firsthand knowledge of the equipment’s demands.

Rethinking concert lighting

In 1980, Showco’s search for a more practical way to change stage-light colors became a focused development project. Jim worked with Tom Walsh and John Covington on a prototype combining a compact arc lamp, dichroic color filters, and remote control.

Jack Maxson’s suggestion to add movement expanded the project. Rusty Brutsche supported its development and helped secure backing from Genesis and manager Tony Smith.

After the prototype demonstration, Jim reworked its optical design for the touring production. The resulting spotlight used color wheels rather than the prototype’s pivoting-filter wash-light approach.

The complete system and the people behind it

Walsh developed control hardware, Covington worked on motor control, and Brooks Taylor wrote the software. Genesis lighting designer Alan Owen and Vari-Lite programmer and operator Tom Littrell helped put the system to creative use on tour.

The first public performance took place in Barcelona on September 25, 1981, during the opening of Genesis’ Abacab tour. Light, color, and coordinated movement offered designers new ways to shape a performance.

A continuing engineering career

Jim continued developing lighting technology through Vari-Lite, VLPS, and PRG. He and Brutsche retired in March 2013 after decades of collaboration.

Jim was honored in 2001 with the Wally Russell Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his contributions to the lighting industry.

His career demonstrates the connection between Showco’s audio and lighting work. Practical problems led to experiments; experiments became equipment; and the people using that equipment helped reveal and refine its possibilities.

Hear Jim tell the story

In his May 3, 2018 presentation, Jim recounts Showco’s Dallas origins, growth, financial difficulties, and lighting innovations. It preserves an engineer’s firsthand view of a collective achievement.

Watch Jim’s 2018 presentation. Further reading: his 2002 Live Design interview and the 2021 participant retrospective. Related histories: Meet Rusty Brutsche · Meet Jack Maxson · Meet Chuck Conrad · Showco’s early sound years · Alumni Directory