Mike "Dr. Funk" Ponczek

Senior Sound Engineer • SHOWCO (1977–1993) • Ethos Keyboardist • Live Production Veteran

Mike "Dr. Funk" Ponczek has spent more than five decades in the live entertainment industry, earning a reputation as one of concert sound's most respected engineers. During his sixteen years with SHOWCO (1977–1993), he played a key role in the company's legacy while engineering tours and productions for many of the world's most celebrated artists.

Before joining SHOWCO, Mike was the keyboardist for the progressive rock band Ethos, a Capitol Records recording artist based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Ethos toured with artists including Genesis, Yes, and King Crimson, developing friendships that many believe helped introduce Genesis to SHOWCO. Mike was one of several talented musicians and technicians who became known throughout the industry as the "Ft. Wayne Boys."

At SHOWCO, Mike served as a senior sound engineer, system engineer, mixer, sound designer, technical specialist, and project leader. His work spanned international tours, stadium concerts, television specials, corporate productions, and major live events around the world.

Among his SHOWCO accomplishments were serving as Front of House engineer for Eric Clapton's world tours throughout much of the 1980s, including performances at London's Royal Albert Hall. His SHOWCO career also included work with Paul McCartney, Genesis, Phil Collins, Robert Plant, Farm Aid, Prince rehearsals, Carol King, Harry Connick Jr., Robert Cray, the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary Special at Madison Square Garden, the Mike & The Mechanics Westwood One broadcast, and producing the unreleased Eric Clapton Live Compilation album.

Mike's contributions to the industry earned him the 1991 MIX Magazine TEC Award for Sound Reinforcement Engineer after nominations in 1989, 1990, and 1991. He was also nominated as Performance Magazine's 1992 Sound Reinforcement Engineer of the Year and served as a featured panelist at Lighting Dimensions International.

After departing SHOWCO in 1993, Mike continued his distinguished career as an independent engineer and later with Crossroads Audio. During this period he contributed to major productions including the 1994 FIFA World Cup broadcast operations, Farm Aid VII, Rock in Rio II, and numerous large-scale tours, corporate events, and broadcast productions.

Today, Mike remains an active and respected member of the North Texas live music community through his longtime work at Dallas' historic Kessler Theater. His career reflects not only technical excellence, but also the musicianship, professionalism, and camaraderie that defined the SHOWCO family.

This page preserves Mike's remarkable legacy through original photographs, memorabilia, documents, and memories spanning more than fifty years in live entertainment.