EAW's Martyn "Ferrit" Rowe is providing us with live reports as an EAW UMX.96 digital console makes its inaugural tour with Foreigner and FOH Engineer Don Dodge. He's taking a break, but check back soon when he picks up the story.

Foxwoods Casino, Connecticut
August 5, 2007

Woke up outside the casino and stumble inside, looking for the Fox Theatre - this place is huge! We are greeted by the Production Manager, Robbie Price, and shown to catering and then it’s time for load in. Surprise - the Foxwoods crew have beat us to it, so everything’s already in, and it’s going to be an easy day. We chat with Steve Gamelin, Lead Audio Tech, and were soon hooked up, with the system purring along.

Once again I find myself giving extended tours of the console (maybe I should charge admission). We do the customary line-check with the roadie band - it’s an old Thin Lizzy tune today, then before I realize it, it’s show time. The band plays a blistering set, Jason seems intent on breaking the drum kit and songs like “Feels Like the First Time” and “Urgent” have the audience up and into the aisles.

After the show tonight we part company with Don and the boys. They're off to do two fly dates without the desk, although “Digital Don Dodge” (D3) looked like he would check the console as baggage if he could take it with him. We meet up again in Boston for a run with Def Leppard and Styx, and I’ll tell you all about it here. (Thanks to Dana Bourke for these fine photos!)