40 AT 40: Chuck Hastings
Job Title: Lighting Director

The people are what sets Bandit Lites apart from the rest of the industry. Once a week, for 40 weeks, Bandit will showcase an employee that has made a substantial contribution to the company, whether it be in an office, on the road or somewhere in between. Bandit would not be celebrating its 40th Anniversary without the hard work and dedication of every one these employees.*

*Employee Spotlights are released in no particular order.

Chuck Hastings started working for Bandit Lites a little over 11 years ago. Now a lighting technician with superstar artists such as Toby Keith, Barry Manilow and Kenny Rogers, Hastings has come a long way from the backstage of his high school theater. Here are a few questions we asked to get to know him a little better.

Q. What is your title? Please describe your job responsibilities.
A. My title is Lighting Director/Technician. My responsibilities are to get the lighting system up and running and make sure everything works in a timely manner. Also, to coordinate crew, not only Bandit crew but also the local crew.

Q. Why and/or how did you get involved in this industry? With Bandit?
A. I started in high school through the theater and took an acting class. I joined the drama club and soon realized I enjoyed the backstage stuff more than the onstage stuff so I did some set design and lighting design in high school. After high school, I sent Bandit my resume and bugged them until they hired me.

Q. How has your job changed or evolved over the years?
A. My first two weeks at Bandit I painted truss and helped Rock [Eric Shafferman] build the Jimmy Buffett rig for that year. After 3-4 months there, myself and a guy named Walter became co-warehouse managers at the Knoxville Sycamore location. I did that for about a year and a half. My first gig ever was at Farm Aid ’97. In ’99 I went out with Charlie Daniels doing Volunteer Jam and I’ve been out on the road ever since. I did WWE for 5 ½ years. For the last 3-4 years, I’ve been out on Toby Keith, Barry Manilow and Kenny Rogers pretty consistently.

Q. What is the biggest change in the industry right now?
A. The biggest change is the LED technology that is coming into play right now with lighting and also in video and video content and whatnot. LED and video sort of goes together because video is going to be more of a lighting thing than it has in the past. LED is going to take over eventually.

Q. Many people in this industry can pinpoint a certain gig or a moment in time that gives their career choice validity. Have you had that experience?
A. I have that moment everyday, quite honestly. I love doing what I’m doing and I wouldn’t do anything else. If I didn’t have bills, I wouldn’t need to get paid.

Q. You still feel that way after 11 years?
A. Yeah, even after 11 years. I’ve loved it ever since I was 16 years old. I wouldn’t trade it for the world, I really wouldn’t.