ResonantLive Sound Archive

Equipment file · Touring sound company and systems

Showco touring system

Showco · 1970

Evidence status · documented

Identity and core specifications are documented; some historical fields remain unavailable.

Showco was founded in Dallas in 1970 by Jack Calmes, Rusty Brutsche and Jack Maxson, building its first rig in Maxson's garage before its first national tour with Three Dog Night. It engineered its own cabinets, electronics and connection systems to make complete, repeatable touring systems.

Introduced
1970
Category
Touring sound company and systems
Intended use
Complete PA and monitor systems for arena and stadium tours
Production
Showco, Dallas, 1970–2000

Why it mattered

  1. 01

    It helped define the dedicated touring sound company that built its own PA for arena rock.

  2. 02

    Its integrated approach set a template for later touring companies.

Engineering record

Yellow Mixer
Modular console developed in-house by Chuck Conrad[1]
Superboard
In-house electronics, with circuit design by Jim Bornhorst after he joined in 1972[1]

Original pricing

No reliable period price located

2026 equivalent

Not calculated without a reliable original price.

Public price evidence was not sufficient to publish a defensible original figure.

Use in the field

First national tour with Three Dog Night[1]

Manuals & original documents

No authoritative manual or original document has been located for this profile.

Sources

  1. 11970–1974: Building a touring sound companyShowco Archives · archive

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