EP45 Susan Rose

In Session With Darren Walters

Lighting Director/Programmer for Ringo Starr Susan is no stranger to the music business. When she made her debut appearance on stage at the age of 14, little did she know she was not only opening up her career path of being a country music singer but it would also eventually lead her to a successful career as a lighting designer and programmer. Being true to the Gemini description, this 5' 2" red-headed, blue-eyed songstress had another side to her that continued to grow over the years. Susan’s love of entertainment combined with her natural technical curiosity led her to learn more about the “other side” of show production. She graduated from Full Sail University, where she learned the technical side of the business. This education opened doors to an alternate career path that has led her to be a successful lighting designer/director/programmer, touring with various major artists such as Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band (2003 to present), Louise Mandrell, John Berry, Hank Willliams Jr. and many others, as well as working on numerous television shows (Stellar Awards, Dove Awards, Trumpet Awards, Freddy Awards, Black Music Honors, Kansas DVD and numerous TV specials), theme parks (Disney, Dollywood, Sea World and Nickelodeon), cruise ships, theaters and concerts. Her self-penned “Whole Hog Quick Reference Guide” has become an industry standard globally in teaching console programming. Her musical background allows her to naturally “feel” the music, therefore making people “see” the music. She always says it is like performing, just from the other side. Though she has a passion for lighting, the music is still in her blood and will never die out. Her dream is to take her experiences from the past 24 years and express them to you in her music.