Q & A with Ken Williams

Ken Williams is a Los Angeles based front of house audio engineer, often performing the roles of tour and production manager as well. He’s worked with many amazing artists over the years including Goldlink, Black Eyed Peas, Ne-Yo, Childish Gambino, and Erykah Badu.
Ken was recently featured in Live Sound Magazine, and I’m honored to feature him in this installment of the Q & A. As you’ll see below, he has some great insight for touring professionals.
You can find Ken @Kenneth H. Williams on Facebook and khw3350 on Twitter and Instagram.

Favorite concert or live show you’ve attended as a fan (not for work)?
Prince at The Park West in Chicago, when he first came out. He killed it.

Is there anything you try to do every off day?
Read. Learn something new and beneficial.

What are one to three work-related tool(s) you can't do without? (Computer, gear, tool, phone app, etc.)?
My laptop, iPhone and my headphones.

Are there any standard industry practices that you’d like to change?
None. Because ultimately everything works out as it should be, and evolution goes on.

Since you began working in this industry are there any concepts or practices you’ve implemented that have had a positive impact on your work (reduced stress, saved time, etc.)?
Prepare, remain calm, move with deliberation, purpose and do what I do as I do it as that’s the only benchmark I’m trying to surpass. Being better than I was the day before.

Where do you see the industry going in the next 5-8 years?
Wow, that’s a hard one. Something tells me people are going to start to TRY to mix shows remotely.

What ruins your day at a show?

Since I do quite a few one-offs that would be an audio company taking a job and not actually having the gear or quality personnel to pull it off professionally. Or a technician trying to filibuster instead of simply saying they don’t know to do a task when called upon.

What improves your day at a show?
The first indication of a good day would be the proper gear per the rider being supplied as well as the patch personnel competently patching the stage correctly and in a timely manner.

Our industry isn’t as glamorous as often perceived, what continues to motivate you to work such long hours and be away from home for extended periods of time?
The magic that happens when a show comes together and the joy of creating something that people would think is the same every day but is actually different every day, in another place, and with different people all over the world.

How do you stay connected to home while away (or do you)?
Via my laptop, phone, text, and pictures.

What's the most important thing in your suitcase?
Clean underwear.