DAVID GARRETT @ WINSPEAR
Violin sensation David Garrett performs Rock Symphonies at the Winspear, January 25th, part of the Caritas Concerts Series. AXE Productions is a co-sponsor and is stepping up to the musical plate with production. For info on tix visit
http://www.caritasconcerts.com/
TOM COCHRANE & ESO AT CHAMBER BALL FEB 3
Tom Cochrane & Red Rider team up with ESO and George Blondheim for the "Life Is A Highway" Chamber Ball Feb 3. AXE is once again providing soup-to-nut production and it will be a spectacular evening. For tickets, go here:
http://edmontonchamber.com/chamberball.aspx
NEW AXE STUDIO WILL FEATURE GREENSCREEN
The studio has been under construction for over a month and will soon be ready for production. Technology will include Pro Tools for audio recording, Final Cut Pro for video editing and HD cameras for studio shooting. The studio will also feature a large greenscreen. For more information, talk to Michael Kryton at AXE Productions.
AXE DEPLOYS 11 x 40 PROJECTION SCREEN
AXE is now deploying one of the largest projection screens in the region known as the KIMOVISION VIDEO WALL. Check it out in our PORTFOLIO section.
AXE ADDS NEW MOBILE STAGE
AXE now can offer clients the SL100 mobile stage. Check our portfolio section for details.
AXE DEPLOYS DIGIDESIGN VENUE CONSOLES
AXE Productions has added the Digidesign Venue Console to its arsenal. With studio-grade sound quality, powerful TDM plug-in effects processing, unprecedented versatility and expandability, seamless Pro Tools® recording integration, and innovative Virtual Soundcheck, the Digidesign® VENUE live sound environment has revolutionized the world of performance audio, giving artists and engineers alike the best-sounding, most creative live sound experience possible. See our portfolio section for details.
AXEPRO STUDIO - THE AUDIO/VIDEO STUDIO
Tooled with Pro-Tools and Final Cut Pro plus a green screen in a setting geared for production.
Click image(s) for larger version

AXEPRO STUDIO

JOHN CAMERON PERFORMS IN STUDIO
AXE DEPLOYS 11 x 40 PROJECTION SCREEN
The new 11 x 40 projection screen is the largest in the region and coupled with our arsenal of high-resolution projectors will add a huge visual impact to live events. The screen will be assigned to indoor events for maximum effect.
Click image(s) for larger version

The new 11 x 40 projection screen

KIMOVISION screen in application at the WINSPEAR
AXE DEPLOYS DIGIDESIGN VENUE CONSOLE
Digidesign Venue Profile & Pro Tools HD System:
. With studio-grade sound quality, powerful TDM plug-in effects processing, unprecedented versatility and expandability, seamless Pro Tools® recording integration, and innovative Virtual Soundcheck, the Digidesign® VENUE live sound environment has revolutionized the world of performance audio, giving artists and engineers alike the best-sounding, most creative live sound experience possible.
. The Digidesign Venue Consoles is one of the most requested and adopted mixing systems today for concert festivals and tours, houses of worship, theater installations, and live broadcast applications.
Digidesign Venue SC48:
. Get the amazing sound quality and rock-solid reliability of VENUE all in one compact console. VENUE SC48 is a fully integrated live sound system that combines all I/O, digital signal processing, and tactile control into a single console, making it the most affordable and portable VENUE system yet. The console not only features the celebrated characteristics of VENUE, including studio-quality plug-in support, seamless integration with Pro Tools LE systems, and complete show file portability, it offers several innovative new workflows that streamline the mixing process, allowing you to concentrate on mixing the show instead of operating the board.
Click image(s) for larger version

DIGIDESIGN VENUE CONSOLE
STAGELINE 100 MOBILE STAGE
The SL 100 is a mobile stage used for outdoor and indoor events and concerts. It can be towed directly into a venue that allows accessibility and is opened up within the venue, saving time and money.
Click image(s) for larger version

SL100 IN APPLICATION AT EDMONTON EXPO CENTER

SL 100 IN OUTDOOR APPLICATION
AXE CREATES NEW VIDEO FLY PACK
The Video Fly Pack, designed by Colin Detert, allows AXE Productions greater mobility in setting up live video production on site. It is the only Fly Pack of its kind in Edmonton. Here are a few of the specifications.
SWITCHER: Broadcast Pix Slate 1000, 1 Mix Engine, 8 inputs, 6 Key Layers
GRAPHICS: Inscriber Title Motion
VIDEO CAPTURE/PLAYBACK: Integrated hard disk video clip store (3 hours total), Sony UVW-1400A Beta SP recorder, Panasonic AJ-D640 DVC Pro recorder, JVC SR-DVM-600U Hard Disk / Mini DV / DVD recorder, Other formats available upon request
Click image(s) for larger version

VIDEO FLY PACK
VERTEC SOUND ARRAY
Axe Productions Puts New JBL VERTEC® Line Array System To The Test At K-97 Classic Rock Riot
NORTHRIDGE, California - Canadian-based A/V service provider Axe Productions recently deployed a complete JBL VERTEC® line array system in the Edmonton, Canada Shaw Conference Center to support the 2nd Annual K-97 Classic Rock Riot. The production, which featured a performance by former Bad Company front man Paul Rodgers, marked the first implementation of the company's new VERTEC system.
Axe Owner, Jon Beckett, supplied 16 VERTEC VT4889 full-size line array loudspeakers (eight per side) powered by 16 Crown I-Tech 8000 amplifiers, which were controlled and configured via Harman's HiQnetT System ArchitectT software. "We're rider-driven, so adding VERTEC to our inventory was an easy choice," stated Beckett. "These are the first large-format line array loudspeakers we have purchased and the quality is outstanding."
To ensure the array was perfectly configured for the show Beckett utilized the vocal talents of one of his sound engineers to test the system. "It's one thing to set up a rig and play a CD through the system, but it's another to plug in and hear that same clarity with a live voice," continued Beckett. "When our engineer started to sing, we were using the factory settings. The VERTEC system sounded great right out of the box."
As a full turnkey production company, Axe Productions offers total production for all events from concerts to theatrical events to speaking opportunities. The company provides lighting, sound and cameras, allowing for a one-stop-shop opportunity for live productions. As such, Axe Productions has enjoyed considerable growth in recent years, even through challenging economic times. "I think a key to our success has been our ability to provide all production for any event, from staging to lighting to sound to projectors and cameras," Beckett said. "The growth of our company was a big reason why we needed a large-format line array system."
"Professional, regional event companies like Axe Productions are a strong part of JBL's worldwide VERTEC owners' network," noted David Scheirman, Vice President, Tour Sound for JBL Professional. "Having a top-tier line array system in-house and ready to serve the rider requirements for major touring acts is a significant asset for a regional production company."
For more information on Axe Productions, visit http://www.axeproductions.com.
JBL is a unit of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com). Harman International Industries, Incorporated designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. Harman International maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, and employs more than 11,000 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes AKG®, Becker®, BSS®, Crown®, dbx®, DigiTech®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson®, Revel®, Soundcraft® and Studer®. Harman International's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NYSE: HAR."
Click image(s) for larger version

VERTEC ARRAY
AXEPRO SERVING BAR
The AXEPRO Serving Bar is a custom designed modular serving bar combining trusses and plexiglass.
It can be configured into several layouts including horseshoe, straightline, square and angled. Within the truss openings, LED lights are installed and can be programmed in one color, a variety of colors, or rotating colors. Single lights, including robotic lights, can be positioned at the top of each leg. Plasma screens can also be attached to the legs to create a multi media experience. The AXPRO Bar can be used for both large and small events. Professional caterers and bar managers enjoy the design as it allows for ease of service, offering substantial space to accommodate stock and material. The AXEPRO Bar is available with or without plasma screens and all costs include set-up and tear down.
Specifications:
- Truss counters come in 8 foot sections, attached to 2 legs for a total length of approximately 10 feet.
- The counter surfaces are 16 inches wide.
- The counters can be set to a height of 5 feet.
- A perfect square configuration provides 100 square feet of space as shown in the photos below.
- 6 sections are available to create a straightline bar 60 feet long.
Our design team will create a 3D presentation and floorplan to illustrate how the AXEPRO Bar will look at your event.
The bar can also be decorated by your event team as required to suit your event theme.
The AXE design team will work with your team to determine how your additional requirements will be handled.
To find out more, contact us online through our contact inquiry page on this website or phone 780-452-4
Click image(s) for larger version
LARGE SCALE CORPORATE
- Youth Conference (YC)
1993 - 2010 - Christian youth extravaganza and 2nd largest event at Northlands after Capital EX.
- St. Albert Kinsmen Rain Maker Rodeo
2003 - 2010 – Concert stage – St. Albert
- World Financial Group
2004 - 2008 – Conference – Northlands
- True North Conference
2005 - 2007 Business Owners Conferences - Shaw Conference Center
- Esquao Awards
2005 - 2010 - Honoring Aboriginal Women Awards Gala & produced for CTV - Winspear
- President Bill Clinton
2006 – An Evening with Bill Clinton - Rexall Place
- Rudy Giuliani
2006 - Global Leadership Forum luncheon Shaw Conference Center
- Andre Philip Gagnon
2006 - Concert performance Shaw Conference Center
- Alberta Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards
2008 - 2010 – Gala Awards Shaw Conference Center
- AMPIA Awards 2009 - 2010 Awards Northlands
- Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Ball 2005 –- 2011 – Shaw Conference Center/Edmonton Expo Center
- Canadian Country Music Awards 2010 Gala Edmonton Expo Center
- Consumer's Choice Awards 2010 Shaw Conference Center
- YC Youth Conference 2010 Kelowna
- Spring Fling 2011 Northern Lights Health Foundation Fort McMurray
- Mayor's State Of The City 2011 Shaw Conference Centre
- Glenrose Hospital 500 Gala 2011 Shaw Conference Centre
Click image(s) for larger version

CHAMBER BALL - KEVIN COSTNER SHAW CONFERENCE

YC - REXALL PLACE

ESQUAO AWARDS - WINSPEAR

RUDY GULIANI - SHAW CONFERENCE CENTER

CHAMBER BALL - BACHMAN-CUMMINGS - SHAW CONFERNCE

PRESIDENT CLINTON – REXALL PLACE

AAYAA - WINSPEAR

CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS 2010 - GALA - EDMONTON EXPO CENTER

CHAMBER BALL 2011 - THE MIRROR BALL - SHAW CONFERENCE

SPRING FLING 2011 - NORTHERN LIGHTS HEALTH FOUNDATION - FT. MCMURRAY

MAYOR'S STATE OF THE CITY 2011 - SHAW CONFERENCE CENTRE

AMPIA 2010 - EDMONTON EXPO CENTRE

CHAMBER BALL 2010 - HEROES OF WOODSTOCK

AMPIA 2009 - NORTHLANDS

YC 2009 - REXALL PLACE

CHAMBER BALL 2010 - EDMONTON EXPO

CHAMBER BALL 2010 - BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY - HEROES OF WOODSTOCK

GLENROSE HOSPITAL 500 GALA 2011 - SHAW CONFERENCE CENTRE
SMALL SCALE CORPORATE
- Youth Conference (YC) Breakout Sessions 1993 – 2008 – Various sessions - Northlands
- CFR Cowboy Cabaret & Awards Banquet 2004 – 2007 – Shaw Conference Center
- Lutheran Church Canada National Convention 2005 – National convention – Mayfield Hotel
- Superpages Convention 2005 – Convention – Turks & Caicos
- Grant MacEwan Mad Hatters Ball Gala 2005 & 2006 – Fundraiser - MacEwan Campus
- Bioware "Mass Effects" Game Launch 2007 – Product Launch - Telus World of Science
- Dreamspeakers Festival 2008 – Aboriginal Festival - Churchill Square
- Scotiabank Pro Am Launch 2009 Tournament press conference & reception - Matrix Hote
- UNICEF Gala 2010 - MacDonald Hotel Edmonton
- Glenrose Foundation 2010 - Glenrose Hospital
- Deloitte Event 2011 - Edmonton Art Gallery
- Harvest Celebration 2011 - Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation - Lois Hospital For Women
- AAYAA 2011 - Winspear
Click image(s) for larger version

DREAMSPEAKERS - CHURCHILL SQUARE

SUPERPAGES - TURKS & CAICOS

CFR BREAKFAST - SHAW CONFERENCE CENTER

YC SESSIONS - NORTHLANDS

FASHION SHOW - WEST EDMONTON MALL

UNICEF GALA 2010 - MACDONALD HOTEL EDMONTON

DELOITTE EVENT 2011 - EDMONTON ART GALLERY

HARVEST CELEBRATION 2011 - ENJOY CENTRE

AAYAA 2011 - WINSPEAR
LARGE SCALE CONCERT
- Wide Mouth Mason 1995 – 2003 – Multiple international tours, North American tour with AC/DC, Rolling Stone Tours – Bridges & No Security
- Stage 13 1998 – Concert Festival - Camrose
- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology "Ookfest" 1998 – 2006 - College Festival - NAIT Campus
- Edmonton Event Center1998 – 2009 - (formerly Reds' Nightclub) - In house production West Edmonton Mall
- Nickelback "WestJet Promotional Tour" 2005 – Across Canada tour
- Missions Fest 2005 – 2007 – Conference - Shaw Conference Center
- SummerSlam 2005 - 2007 – Concert Festival featuring Blue Rodeo, O.L.P. Theory of a Deadman, David Wilcox, Matt Mayes & El Torpedo, Stabilo - Grand Prairie
- Tragically Hip 2007 – Concert - Rock Island - Fort McMurray
- Boonstock 2007- 2008 - Outdoor Concert Festival - Gibbons
- Beach Boys 2008 – Concert - Dawson Creek
- Youth Conference (YC) 2006 – 2009 – Christian Festival - Rexall Place
- Campus Chaos 2009 Rock Festival - Northlands
- Haloween Howler 2009 BEAR Sponsored Concert - Shaw Conference
- Singing Christmas Tree 2009 Christmas Concert - Jubilee
- K97 Party 2010 Paul Rogers - Loverboy - Shaw Conference
- Rainmaker Rodeo 2010 Main Stage Concerts - St. Alber
- Beaumont Blues Festival 2010 - 2011 Main Stage Concerts - Beaumont
- Singing Christmas Tree 2009-2011 - Jubilee
- Freezing Man 2011 - Edmonton Expo Centre
- Headstones - New Year's Eve 2011 - Shaw Conference
Click image(s) for larger version

SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE 2011 - JUBILEE

SINGING XMAS TREE 2011 - STUDDARD - JUBILEE

BEAUMONT BLUES FESTIVEAL - 2011 - BEAUMONT

TRAGICALLY HIP - FORT MCMURRAY

OOKFEST - NAIT CAMPUS

GWAR - EDMONTON EVENT CENTER

YC - REXALL PLACE

BEACH BOYS - DAWSON CREEK

YC - REXALL PLACE

FREEZING MAN 2011 - EDMONTON EXPO CENTRE

FREEZING MAN 2011 - EDMONTON EXPO CENTRE

SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE 2010 - JUBILEE

SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE 2010 - JUBILEE

RAINMAKER RODEO 2010 - MAIN STAGE CONCERTS - ST. ALBERT
SMALL SCALE CONCERT
- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Cruise 1995 - 2006 - Fundraiser - NAIT Campus
- Western Canadian Music Association 2000 - WCMA Awards - Myer Horowitz Theater
- Rockin' In August 2004 - 2008 - Concert Festival - St. Albert
- CapitalEX Exhibition 2006 - 2008 - Ed Fest featuring Nelly Furtado, Default, Our Lady Peace, Hedley, Credence Clearwater Revisited, Three Days Grace, Hot Hot Heat, Weird Al, Finger Eleven, Sam Roberts Band, Blue Rodeo, Simple Plan- EPCOR Stage, TELUS Stage, Talent Explosion - Northlands
- Battle of the Bands 2009 Agri Plex - Cold Lake
- Lady Antebellum 2010 West Edmonton Mall
- Slash 2010 EEC
- Keith Urban 2010 West Edmonton Mall
Click image(s) for larger version

ROCKIN' IN AUGUST - ST. ALBERT

TENNESSEE THREE - WEST EDMONTON MALL

CAPITAL EX - TELUS STAGE - NORTHLANDS

WCMA - MYER HOROWITZ

LADY ANTEBELLUM - WEST EDMONTON MALL - SET-UP

SLASH - EDMONTON EVENTS CENTRE

KEITH URBAN - WEST EDMONTON MALL

KEITH URBAN - WEST EDMONTON MALL
SPORTING EVENT
- CFL Green and Gold Gala 2002 - Player Gala - Shaw Conference Center
- Blackhawk Tour Challenge 2005 -2007 - featuring Arnold Palmer, Fred Couples, Craig Stadler, Stephen Ames, Peter Jacobson Tom Watson, Paul Azinger, Natalie Gulbi, Peter Jacobson - Blackhawk Golf Course
- Edmonton Rush Lacrosse 2005 - 2008 - Event Production - Rexall
- The Fight Club Mixed Martial Arts 2005 - 2009 - Event Production - Various
- Edmonton Oilers / City of Edmonton 2006 - Playoffs celebration - Churchill Square
- Western Canada Summer Games 2007 - Opening ceremonies & concerts - Sherwood Park, AB
- CCF Mixed Martial Arts 2008-2009 - CCF Mixed Martial Arts Series - Mayfield Trade Center
- SOCIAL CODE 2010 - Music video shoot - AXE Productions loading dock
Click image(s) for larger version

CCF MARTIAL ARTS - MAYFIELD TRADE CENTER

EDMONTON RUSH - REXALL PLACE

WESTERN CANADA GAMES - SHERWOOD PARK

THE FIGHT CLUB - SHAW CONFERENCE CENTER
SPECIAL EVENT
- JUNO FAN FARE 2006 - West Edmonton Mall
- BEAR HOWLER 2007 - 2011 - Shaw Conference
- FALLEN FOUR MONUMENT DEDICATION 2008 - Mayerthorpe
- SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE 2008 - City Hall
- AXE PRODUCTIONS SHOWCASE 2009 - Edmonton Event Centre
- REXALL INDY AFTER PARTY 2009 with Will. I. Am. - Edmonton City Centre Parkade
- SCOTIABANK PRO AM LAUNCH 2009 - Matrix Hotel
- TROOPER 2009 - Private event - AXE Productions
- SOCIAL CODE 2010 - Music Video Shoot - AXE Productions loading dock
- GO INDY ULTIMATE STREET PARTY 2010 - Street Concert - Rice Howard Way
- HOW TIME FLIES - AN EVENING WITH WILLIAM SHATNER - 2011 - Shaw Conference
- AXE PRODUCTIONS-TRIXSTAR XMAS PARTY 2010-2011
Click image(s) for larger version

KIM MITCHELL - AXE XMAS PARTY 2011

AXE-TRIXSTAR CHRISMAXE TRIXMAS PARTY 2011

WILLIAM SHATNER - HOW TIME FLIES 2011 -SHAW CONFERENCE

HOW TIME FLIES - AN EVENING WITH WILLIAM SHATNER

SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE - CITY HALL

GO INDY ULTIMATE STREET PARTY 2010 - RICE HOWARD WAY

SOCIAL CODE MUSIC VIDEO - AXE PRODUCTIONS

SOCIAL CODE MUSIC VIDEO - AXE PRODUCTIONS

SOCIAL CODE MUSIC VIDEO - AXE PRODUCTIONS

SCOTIABANK PRO AM LAUNCH - MATRIX HOTEL

SCOTIABANK PRO AM LAUNCH - MATRIX HOTEL

AXE PRODUCTIONS SHOWCASE - EDMONTON EVENT CENTRE

AXE PRODUCTIONS SHOWCASE - EDMONTON EVENT CENTRE

FALLEN FOUR MONUMENT DEDICATION - MAYERTHORPE

BEAR HOWLER - SHAW CONFERENCE

REXALL INDY AFTER PARTY - EDMONTON CITY CENTRE PARKADE

REXALL INDY AFTER PARTY - EDMONTON CITY CENTRE PARKADE
MEDIA COVERAGE
MERGE MAY 2011 - Story: Devon Bryce
Photo: Daniel Wood
Thirty years ago, Jon Beckett started his career as a sound engineer. Today, he is the owner and operator of Axe Productions, a live event production company with a staff of 16. Axe specializes in large-scale events, but the scope of the shows is what makes them stand out.
A typical week's work spans sporting events, large rock shows, fundraisers and high-end political events. In 1995, Beckett started Angel Audio to get away from having to rent equipment he was using as a sound technician. Since then, the company has grown and Beckett only gets busier. Axe is a full service rental company that can provide all the staff, equipment, and production needs for any occasion, including back-line rentals for touring bands and creative development for shows.
As the events happen constantly, equipment is always on the move. Showing off the indoor loading docks, Beckett jokes that Axe is partly a moving company. "When you're loading vans in -40, not only are the staff freezing, but it blows a cold wind though the entire place. You don't see this in many buildings but it's a great benefit." The company is always busy, regardless of the season. Even during the recession work didn't drop off for the company, he notes. The shows must go on.
Beckett doesn't spend a lot of time reminiscing about past events and shows. The company has furnished equipment for a lot of memorable names-big bands like AC/DC and the Rolling Stones, as well as well-known figures like former U.S. President Bill Clinton-but for Beckett it is the event itself that is important.
On the Axe website is a time-lapse video of Rexall Place being prepared for a rock concert. Viewers can watch every step, from the floor being covered to the audience coming in, and the process is fascinating. "There are a lot of details," he points out, "and because each event is unique we have a lot of meetings to make sure everything runs smoothly." In the week we spoke, Axe had twelve major shows booked over the following six days. There is no room for error, and all pieces of equipment are kept well-maintained and inventoried.
Beckett has a lot of experience working behind the scenes of the entertainment industry. On one wall of his office, Beckett has a gold record from the band Wide Mouth Mason as well as a large poster from their tour of China, for which he was the tour manager. When he first began working with the band, they had just broken out with a hit single. Beckett worked with them for the next ten years, including a two and a half week tour of China. Every show the band played in China sold out, and Beckett says the experience was incredible. "They're just so fascinated by Western culture there and we were treated so well everywhere we went."
Still, Beckett says he doesn't miss touring or even sound mixing. "I did it for a long time, and I'm enjoying the new challenges," he says, gesturing at his desk. "There is so much to do here that I don't have time to miss it."
Beckett isn't star-struck by the high-profile personalities his company furnishes. "It isn't that glamorous meeting the stars when you and they are all there to do the job," he says.
The huge range of events, from the Mayor's State of the City Address to the My Chemical Romance concert at the Edmonton Events Centre keeps Beckett and his team on their toes. Every year, Axe also handles the needs of YC Alberta, a youth conference which brings 16,000 teens into Northlands Coliseum, which is the venue's second largest event, smaller only than Capital Ex.
Around the office is evidence of Axe's charitable connections. Pictures of sports teams, Food Bank donation bins, and posters for cancer research head shaves are displayed. Beckett is most proud of the pictures of children connected to Compassion Canada, a charity the company supports. Kelly Kimo, owner and vice president of Axe, says they look forward to covering the entire wall with pictures of kids they have sponsored.
Both men beam with obvious pride as they discuss giving back to the community on both a local and international level. Yet there is still humility to the notion as Beckett points out that community giving is something that every company should be involved in. Axe frequently sponsors community events as well, and will donate a part of their costs in order to be associated with causes they support. Beckett has worked hard to ensure the company is doing well, and enjoys that their success means they can give back to community as a whole.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CTV DEC 4 2010 - Ruben Studdard, who was the season two winner of American Idol, performed for more than 300 people at a local production company's Christmas party Saturday night.
Axe Productions brought in the AI winner to surprise their employees and clients with a private show.
"It's always fun to surprise people," said Studdard. "Hopefully, they won't boo when I come on stage."
The audience showed their appreciation for the now turned gospel singer, cheering throughout his entire set.
As far as the company's Christmas parties goes, Axe Productions owner Jon Beckett says every year will be one surprise after another when it comes to the entertainment.
"We keep it top secret every year," says Beckett. "We want to build this into a thing where you got to show up if you want to see who is here. I think we've outdone ourselves a little this year."
As for Studdard, he is only in town for the one performance. He's returning to the States on Sunday to continue working on his album.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDMONTON JOURNAL SEP 10 2010 - Stars like Paul Brandt and Jill Hennessy take centre stage at this year's Country Music Week in Edmonton, but it will be Axe Productions behind the spotlight and in the sound booth.
The Edmonton company is providing production services for events such as the new-artist showcase, open-mike night and the industry gala dinner and awards night.
Working the Canadian country music industry's bash isn't even Axe's biggest gig of the year, an honour which goes to YC Alberta, Canada's largest annual youth conference, which attracted 16,000 young Christians to Edmonton in May.
Axe has also handled production for former U.S. president Bill Clinton, the Rolling Stones and Queen Elizabeth.
The privately held company has come a long way since 1995, when Kelly Kimo and Jon Beckett started it as a sideline.
"We were freelance engineers that were being asked to perform audio duties for bands and events," said Beckett, who was once audio manager for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and tour manager for the band Wide Mouth Mason.
Kimo, 42, takes up the story: "We were both working independently and we'd always be renting equipment from other places. So we thought instead of renting because it was a big cost, we went to the bank and bought all the equipment that we needed at the time."
Sales have soared about 500 per cent since that first year, Beckett, 50, said. Growth has been steady over the past five years, even through the recession. "Our percentages are up about 20 per cent from last year," said Kimo, who played in local bands as a teenager.
"We worked our butts off those first few years where we had full-time jobs and doing this on the side until the company got launched. Probably a couple of years in, we all went full-time and it's been history since."
The company was named small business of the year in 2000 by the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. Beckett and Kimo still sound surprised that such a prestigious award would go to a production company.
Axe now employs 17 people full-time as the company expanded to meet demand for sound, video, lighting, scriptwriting and staging services under one roof.
The company attributes its success to its status as "a one-stop shop," Beckett said.
"Anything that you would do on a production, we look after 100 per cent."
Besides high-profile bands, Axe -- not affiliated with the local music store with the similar name -- also takes on sponsorships, donating a portion of the cost because it wants to be associated with the event. Axe is a sponsor and service provider for St. Albert's 150th birthday celebrations in 2011.
After starting small, the company now has an estimated three to four million dollars' worth of inventory such as lighting equipment, sound boards, set pieces and even a giant mall Christmas tree housed in more than 14,000 square feet of storage space. "This industry is extremely capital hungry," Beckett said.
Many bands stipulate riders, or provisions, in their contract demanding certain types of equipment over other makes. "To be in that game you have to have a certain amount of inventory that's what we call rider-friendly. The problem is, when these bands get big, rider-friendly can change daily. If you want to play in the game, you have to have the bat, the ball and the glove," Beckett said.
"And different types of bats and balls," Kimo added.
For example, high-end sound boards cost about $80,000. "And I think we have 22 of them," Beckett said. "If we could stop buying gear, we could be rich."
Read more: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/Country+gala+turns+spotlight+stagers/3504719/story.html#ixzz0z8xqtITt
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDMONTON JOURNAL NOV 26 2010 - In a few hectic hours late Wednesday evening, the parkade under Edmonton City Centre mall transformed into an unlikely venue for Grey Cup festivities.
More than 50 men and women ready everything from the bathrooms - 22 portable toilets - to the bar, custom-built out of sturdy aluminum trusses.
It's not the first time the downtown mall's underground garage has been converted into a party room. But that doesn't mean it's easy.
A parkade is built to hold cars, not concerts.
Over this Grey Cup Festival, the concrete box will host after-parties, luncheons and wine-tastings.
It was particularly tricky getting the sound right for Friday's set with guitarist Dave Navarro, and turntablist Mix Master Mike, who plays there Saturday with Cadence Weapon.
Jeff Carmichael, nicknamed "Chiz", is the self-taught soundman tasked with keeping the crowd's ears from bleeding.
"My dad had a company when I was a kid and he taught me everything about sound," Chiz says, while sorting the male ends of an intimidating clump of wires. "Usually it's loud and proud, and you gotta, like, pound it out. This room, you're fighting yourself."
Chiz is 31, pierced, with tattoos and a T-shirt that says Dirtbag. Not a lick of school, not for sound engineering anyway. His dad produced big events like the Saskatchewan Summer Games and Chiz learned all he needed at real shows. Now he's head of audio for Axe Productions, the Edmonton company hired to stage the festival's parkade events, which started Thursday and wind up on game day.
Picture one long space with a low ceiling. The floor, the walls are all concrete. It's no use blasting the music over the heads of sound-absorbing concertgoers, who Chiz lovingly refers to as "waterbags."
"You spread the sound out and don't just have a directional path of blasting noise. If you try and do that, it's concrete. It's soaking it up. There's nowhere for it to go and it just sounds like mush. It's not always better loud."
He positions several modest speakers to fan the sound out and envelope the crowd. After all the speakers and amps are placed and plugged in, Chiz plays a CD and walks around the garage, listening. There are spots where the music sounds dead. There are sweet spots too. "You gotta make it sweet everywhere. There is no perfect room."
Sound, though, is nothing without juice.
"The place is not set up to distribute power," says Michael Kryton, Axe Productions's creative director.
The mall pipes the equivalent of 900 amps, enough to keep at least 60 refrigerators humming and more than accommodate the party. As much as 1.5 kilometres of wire is strung around the garage, much of it around exposed sewer and water pipes along the low ceiling, out of the way. The myriad cables power speakers, ATMs, plasma screens and more than 50 robotic lights.
"It takes six truckloads of gear to bring in everything we have," Kryton says. "We can really turn what looks like an ordinary parking lot into what becomes a very underground, New York-kinda nightclub."
The mall held its first show in the parkade in 2007, when Tommy Lee played with electro house music man Steve Aoki. Since then they've held three more shows in the space, including one featuring will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas during Indy in 2009.
The mall staff have been learning as they go.
During the Tommy Lee gig, some people got lost just trying to find the place. Now floor decals point concertgoers to the venue, which is off a pedway between City Centre Mall and Churchill Station.
Summer shows are a little sweaty, on account of the lack of air conditioning. Air is sucked in from outside, and in the winter time it's easy to add heat and keep things comfortable.
The president of Axe, Jon Beckett, too busy to talk much as they set up, probably puts it best: "It's a pretty simple concept. It's just technically difficult to do."
Read more: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/Parkade+concerts+under+Edmonton+City+Centre+challenging+pull/3890142/story.html#ixzz16Ve68vE9
Click image(s) for larger version

AXE Productions featured on Kryton Live! on FusedLogicTV

Jon Beckett & AXE featured in Merge Mag article

The Dynamic Duo In The Journal

American Idol Ruben Studdard Performs @ AXE/Trixstar Xmas Party

AXE Underground Team in the Journal
TRIXSTAR'S MIKE ANDERSON NAMED TOP 40 UNDER 40
Click image(s) for larger version

AVENUE MAG NAMES TRIXSTAR'S MIKE ANDERSON TOP 40 UNDER 40
ST. ALBERT 150th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 2011
AXE Productions was proud to be a sponsor and service provide to the St. Albert 150th Anniversary Celebration in 2011.
Click image(s) for larger version

RENDEZVOUS 2011 WEB PAGE http://rendezvous2011.ca/

ST. ALBERT GAZETTE
THIS AND THAT GALLERY
You never know what you'll find in this section. We make no apologies.
Click image(s) for larger version

3 AMIGOS - BECKETT, KIMO, ANDERSON

JOHN CAMERON IN NEW AXE STUDIO

COFFEY & KRYTON HAM IT UP

TROOPER ROCKS

AMPIA 2010 - BECKETT PRESENTS AWARD

TROOPER CELBRATES BECKETT BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY AT AXE

WIDE MOUTH MASON'S SHAUN VERRAULT WOWS THE PARTY

TROOPER'S RAMON MCGUIRE

TROOPER IN CONCERT AT AXE PRODUCTIONS WAREHOUSE

MIKE ANDERSON (TRIXSTAR) AND JON BECKETT (AXE BOSS) WITH WIDE MOUTH MASON

PARTY PLANNERS TRACY AND KELLY KIMO (AXE CO-BOSS)

JON'S LOVELY WIFE CHAR HOLDS COURT AT THE PARTY

LA PERSAUD TEAM WITH TROOPER'S RAMON MCGUIRE

SAFETY PROGRAM - FALL ARREST TRAINING

SAFETY PROGRAM - FALL ARREST TRAINING

JON BECKETT - A BOSS WHO INSPIRES