On Stage with CE Pro All-Star Band

For the audience, attending the EHX CE Pro All-Star Band concert during EHX Spring 2010 in Orlando, Fla. was a can’t-lose situation.

If the performance flopped, it still would have been entertaining since the band is made up of regular CE industry professionals — amateurs who happen to love performing music.

If their performance rocked, well, then they were in for a good show.

They definitely didn’t flop and definitely rocked.

The show went off without a hitch and the band simply sounded great, covering dozens of class rock staples.

Band members Tom Fritschi, Vince Luciani, and Aaron Severtson (all of Innovolt); Victor Baut (SpeakerCraft); Jeff Gardner and Jim Garrett (both of CEDIA); Shawn Hansson (Logic Integration); Mitch Klein (URC) and Bob Archer (CE Pro) managed to look like they perform together every weekend.

Particularly impressive was the guitar performance by Fender’s John Cruz. The guitar designer, also an accomplished guitar player, at one point dazzled the crowd by placing the guitar flat on the stage, kneeling down and picking a commanding solo.

Another highlight of the show was when the band invited people from the crowd to come on stage and perform. Mike Mongiovi of Automation Generation came on stage and belted out lead vocals on a Black Crowes tune.

Mongiovi stayed on stage (at the behest of the band) for the rest of the show, performing lead vocals and playing bass on one song.

Other integrators from the audience joined in on the performance and even CE Pro’s Julie Jacobson got on stage — not to play an instrument but to shake her butt.

Check out some photos from EHX CE Pro All-Star Band performance:


Bob Archer, CE Pro’s senior editor, pulled together the band and played a mean guitar.


John Cruz’s fellow band members said it was a pleasure just to be on stage with the skilled guitarist. The Fender guitar designer dazzled, even masterfully handling a Santana solo.


At one point, Cruz placed his guitar flat on the stage and picked a guitar solo.


Band members wouldn’t let Mike Mongiovi of Automation Generation go back to his seat. The guest performer sang lead vocals on several more songs. It turns out that Mongiovi was a professional musician for several years before turning to integration.


The EHX CE Pro All-Star Band played a two-hour set.


Innovolt’s vice president of sales Walter Crowder talks to Archer (left) and CE Pro editor Jason Knott (right) about the Fender Custom Shop reissue 1963 Fender Stratocaster at EHX Spring 2010 his company gave away to a lucky EHX attendee.


A closer look at the 1963 Fender Stratocaster, given away at EHX Spring 2010, courtesy of Innovolt.


CE Pro editor-at-large Julie Jacobson shows off her dancing skills on the EHX CE Pro All-Star Band stage.


Margaret Sheehan (left), CEDIA’s senior director of professional development, joins Jacobson on stage.


Tom Marino of Baton Rouge, La.-based Advanced Technologies was among the integrators in the audience that took the stage to join together with the band.