Pursuit of dreams leads to city show

Pursuit of dreams leads to city show

By Matthew Price
Staff Writer

A 22-year-old from Yukon is following his dreams as a sound technician, and will be in Oklahoma City today with the Billy Joel concert.

Craig Robertson started his love of music at Council Road Baptist Church, where he performed as a drummer. When the sound technicians couldn't make it, it fell on Robertson to take care of the sound.

He said while most people's eyes are drawn to the stage, when he attended concerts as a young man, the sound equipment drew his interest.

"Walking into a concert, no one thinks to look up at all the steel and lights that are up above you.”

Now, he does sound work professionally, having toured with U2 and Motley Crue.

"You're known for your quality of work (in the industry),” Robertson said. He said the company he works for handles the booking of the sound technicians for many of the major acts.

Robertson, a graduate of Yukon High School, is working the front-house position on today's concert. He'll check speaker levels, "making sure things sound good,” and be responsive to any mishaps on stage.

"If the drummer hits a mike instead of a drum, I'll run a mike up to him,” he said.

Robertson's father, Jim Robertson, said his son has visited five continents and numerous countries.

"This is the closest he's been to home,” Jim Robertson said. "He's following his dreams.”

Billy Joel performs at 8 p.m. at the Ford Center, 100 W Reno.