Showco
title: "Showco" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1970-establishments-in-texas", "american-companies-established-in-1970", "electronics-companies-established-in-1970", "electronics-companies-disestablished-in-2000", "companies-based-in-dallas", "defunct-electronics-companies-of-the-united-states", "sound-technology", "sound-systems", "defunct-companies-based-in-texas", "privately-held-companies-based-in-texas"] topic_path: "engineering" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showco" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox company"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Showco |
| logo | Image:Showco.jpg |
| logo_alt | Showco logo |
| type | Private |
| industry | Entertainment technology |
| founded | |
| founders | Jack Calmes |
| defunct | |
| fate | Acquired by Clair Bros. Audio Enterprises, Inc. |
| :: |
| name = Showco | logo = Image:Showco.jpg | logo_size = | logo_alt = Showco logo | logo_caption = | logo_padding = | image = | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = | former_name = | type = Private | industry = Entertainment technology | founded = | founders = Jack Calmes | defunct = | fate = Acquired by Clair Bros. Audio Enterprises, Inc. | key_people =
Showco was a sound equipment provider of touring sound reinforcement equipment and services to the concert touring industry. It was based in Dallas, Texas, United States. In 2000, Showco was acquired by Clair Global.
Showco was established in 1970 by Jack Maxson and Rusty Brutsche, and Jack Calmes, and is known for helping to pioneer post Woodstock-era stadium rock shows by providing state-of-the-art sound equipment for famous acts beginning with Led Zeppelin, Three Dog Night and James Taylor. According to Brutsche:
With Showco equipment and services, the star performers could count on reliable and consistent sound reproduction at different venues. Showco introduced such features as mixing gear and stage monitors to aid the musicians. The equipment was also built to handle rugged touring schedules, outdoor weather conditions and quick assembly and disassembly.
Throughout the 1970's, Showco expanded its multi-discipline equipment and services to include stage lighting, set design and fabrication, special effects/lasers and disco sound systems. Later forays into stage lighting led to the 1981 formation of sister company Vari-Lite, Inc.
Showco was acquired by Clair Brothers in late 2000. Showco was merged into the touring arm of Clair Brothers. The combined division was then renamed ClairShowco. In 2008 the name was changed once again to Clair and given the corporate tagline "Global Service and Live Shows Since 1966."
Showco Clients
Showco has provided equipment and services throughout the world for an extensive list of artists' tours, festivals and events.
::data[format=table title="Showco Artists and Events"]
| ZZ Top |
|---|
| :: |
References
References
- (March 2, 2000). "Showco Marks 30th Anniversary; Concert Sound Pioneer Set the Stage for Concert Touring Industry". Business Wire.
- [http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_current_2/ Current], mixonline.com 1 January 2001. {{webarchive. link. (2006-10-24)
- [http://www.prosoundnetwork.com/article/ClairShowco-Rebranded-As-Clair/8396 ClairShowco Rebranded As Clair], www.prosoundnetwork.com 17 September 2008. {{webarchive. link. (2015-09-09)
- "Showco Client List".
- Short, Chari. (May 2005). "Showco Reunion". Total Production US.
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::