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Bandit Lites 40 at 40: Steve Strickland
Job Title: Retired Business Manager
Steve Strickland, younger brother of Bandit founder and chairman of the board, Michael T. Strickland, worked for Bandit for 25 years. He started doing odd shows at the age of 12 with his big brother. In 1982, when he graduated from East Tennessee State University with a degree in business, he became the full-time business manager. Steve Strickland went on to spend the majority of his career on the road before retiring in 2002.
Q: Did Steve Strickland's job change or evolve in the time that he was with Bandit?
A: Steve had a very strong desire to leave the office and go on the road. After six months in the office, Steve became a lighting technician and went on the road. He eventually became one of the most respected lighting crew chiefs in the industry. He stayed on the road until 1999, when he then returned to the office as business development manager.
Q: What makes him an important part of Bandit's history?
A: Being the little brother of the company's founder and chairman of the board, Steve
Strickland played a significant role in growing the company from the ground up. But he is also one of the nicest, kindest people on earth, and both Bandit co-workers and clients admired him for those qualities. He was affectionately known as "Moose".
Q: What is a favorite memory of his time working at Bandit Lites?
A: In 1989, when no one wanted to tour with an unknown country act, Steve took on the challenge and went out with two trusses as a one-man crew with an artist named Garth Brooks. Three years later, Garth Brooks was the biggest act in the world and Steve was his crew chief, a job he would retain until Garth retired in 1998. Garth never went anywhere without Steve Strickland!
Q: What is something most people don't know about Steve Strickland?
A: Steve has a daughter, Samantha. He is truly loved by all and will always be a Bandit. Michael Strickland misses working with him very much and is thankful for all the contributions he made while working at Bandit Lites.
27th October 2008
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