Showco Archives

09/09/2026

There are a lot more of you following Showco Archives these days, so I thought it was time to introduce myself again. ❤️

I’m Indigo Kretzschmar-May, founder and curator of Showco Archives.
Showco has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad, Donnie “DK” Kretzschmar, was a longtime Showco sound engineer, and I grew up knowing many of the people whose photographs, artifacts and stories I now work to preserve.

What began with my own family history has grown into something much bigger.
Today I spend my days gathering and preserving alumni stories, photographs, soundboard recordings, tour documents, passes, vintage crew clothing, gear and all those seemingly small pieces of history that help tell what life was really like behind the stage.

These photos are from a Showco gathering last year. You’ll see me with Showco co-founder Angus Wynne III, Gary Carnes, David Alley, my mom, and a whole lot of the Showco family.

And that last part is really what this is all about.

The famous artists and legendary tours are certainly part of Showco’s history. But Showco Archives exists to preserve the people behind them.

If you’ve joined me recently, welcome. I’m glad you found the archive. ❤️

And if you happen to notice what the back of my Genesis ’77 shirt actually says… stay tuned. That one deserves its own story. 👀

🎛️ The Family Behind the Music™

Explore the archive:
https://www.showcoarchives.com

Memories of Texas Music Memories of Dallas

09/08/2026

TODAY IN SHOWCO HISTORY — SEPTEMBER 8, 1973 🎛️

53 years ago today, Billboard put the spotlight on a young Dallas company with a big idea: bring the pieces of concert production together under one roof.

The September 8, 1973 feature, “Showco: Total Production Company,” documented Showco during those formative years and named Jack Calmes, Jack Maxson, Rusty Brutsche and David Alley as the four principals running the company.

But there’s another great piece of Dallas production history on the very same Billboard page: Crossroads Audio.

One page, two names that became part of the story of Dallas music and live production. ❤️

Looking at this 53 years later is pretty remarkable knowing what was still ahead for Showco — decades of tours with some of the biggest artists in the world, innovations that helped change live concerts, and a family of crew members whose stories I’m still working to preserve.

Swipe to see the original 1973 Billboard page.
📅 September 8, 1973
📰 Billboard

Explore more from Showco’s early years:
https://www.showcoarchives.com/1970-1974

🎛️ The Family Behind the Music™

David Alley

09/07/2026

Memories of Dallas Memories of Texas Music ATX (Austin, Texas) Fleetwood Mac

09/07/2026

TODAY IN SHOWCO HISTORY — SEPTEMBER 7, 1976 🎟️

Sunday Break II brought an estimated 100,000 people to the shores of Lake Austin in 100-degree heat, with a lineup that included Firefall, England Dan & John Ford Coley, Steve Miller Band, Chicago, The Band and Fleetwood Mac.

And buried in this next-day account from the Dallas Daily Campus is a little glimpse of life behind the scenes.

Apparently, the food ran short backstage — particularly for the Showco production people, who were told the caterers had misjudged and only the performing bands could be fed. 😂

Some things about life on the road may never change.

📅 September 7, 1976
📍 Sunday Break II — Austin, Texas

Explore the original clipping in the Showco Archives:
https://www.showcoarchives.com/1975-1979

🎛️ The Family Behind the Music™

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

London friends — this is one I wish I could attend! 🇬🇧💡

Three key figures in the Showco/Vari-Lite story — Jim Bornhorst, Tom Littrell and Brooks Taylor — will be together at Classic Gear Live during the PLASA Show at Olympia London this Sunday and Monday.

With all the recent conversation surrounding how Vari-Lite came to be, what better opportunity than to hear stories from some of the people who were actually there?

Thank you to Rob Halliday for sharing this. Jim, Tom & Brooks — have a wonderful reunion! I’ll be there in spirit from Dallas. ❤️

🎛️ Classic Gear Live / PLASA 2026: https://www.plasashow.com/

💡 Explore the Vari-Lite story and firsthand accounts from Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins:
https://www.showcoarchives.com/vari-lite-born-from-showco⁠

🛒 Showco Swag:
https://shop.showcoarchives.com/⁠

The Family Behind the Music™

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Phil Collins Becky Bedsole Bornhorst Tom Littrell Simon Kidson Mike Kidson Musical Brick Genesis The Phil Collins Experience Tony Banks Leland Sklar - Bassist Chester Thompson

09/05/2026

🎸 SHOWCO IN THE WILD

Showco Archives follower Alfred Bufano sent me this great spot — guitarist Peter Stroud wearing a Showco shirt in the Collective Soul documentary.

Peter is probably best known for his longtime work with Sheryl Crow, along with an impressive list of artists throughout his career.

And of course I immediately wondered… is that an original Showco shirt, or one of my reproductions? 😄
Either way, I love seeing that logo still out there in the wild.

Thanks to Alfred for spotting it and sending it my way!

👀 Have you spotted Showco somewhere unexpected? Send it to me — I’m always adding to the archive.

🎛️ Showco Archives
https://www.showcoarchives.com/

👕 Showco Swag
https://shop.showcoarchives.com/

📸 Showco in the Wild
https://www.showcoarchives.com/showco-in-the-wild

The Family Behind the Music™

09/05/2026

Showco in the Wild! 🟡🔵🔴

Elizabeth sent me this great photo from Jimmie Vaughan’s Dallas show in March.

As a former CBS Records employee, she was already familiar with Showco — and still representing today! ❤️

Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth!

The Family Behind the Music™

📸 More Showco in the Wild + Showco Swag: Link in Bio

Granada Theater