T-Pain & The Preakness Call on Showtime & Sommer Cable
T-Pain performs at Preakness 150. Photo by Pete Redel.
Showtime Sound LLC recently staged the huge trackside performance of T-Pain at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course after the historic race. The redesigned stage was seen by the sold-out crowd from the grandstand and grounds at one of the biggest US music gatherings. Showtime once again had their Sommer Cable system networking the elaborate sound and lighting extravaganza.
“The 150th Preakness Stakes is a milestone moment for Baltimore and in sports history,” said Belinda Stronach, chairman and CEO, 1/ST Racing & Gaming. “Preakness 150 is a celebration of racing, entertainment, culture and community, and is the kickoff to a new era for Maryland.”
Leading event specialists Showtime Sound utilized SC-Mercator QUAD 4 x CAT.7 cable from Sommer Cable, a 2025 TEC Award finalist. After handling many such large-scale events, Sommer Cable has become an integral element at Showtime. Showtime’s Director of Technical Operations, Marc Chauvin, explained “This was a huge and challenging show. When we built out and integrated our systems, we use Sommer’s Mercator CAT7 line for multi-channel ethernet-based snake solutions. Using single, 2-channel, and 4-channel versions, we easily cover 300+ feet with advanced cabling that not only works for our day-to-day production needs and our touring clients, but also as the backbone for large-scale events like this Preakness T-Pain concert for all aspects of production.”
Watch T-Pain Perform at Preakness 150:
https://youtu.be/MmKWl0Mtaek?si=aN5oBlGrXGIo8VjP
Showtime Sound continues their reliance on trusted partners at L-Acoustics, Absen Inc., Tyler Truss Systems, LLC, and Sommer Cable to guarantee a smooth and flawless event. Showtime’s Marc Chauvin explained the choice of cabling, “In planning transmission systems for audio, lighting, and video distribution we know that reliability and quality is a must for high level productions that we do. No single show for us is more or less important than any other – that’s why we continue to invest and rely on our partnership with Sommer Cable.”
Rapper T-Pain is known for popularizing creative use of Auto-Tune pitch correction, often done with extreme parameter settings to create electronic-styled vocal performances. Blending its use with R&B and hip-hop, T-Pain has become a prominent figure in both genres. Other music industry artists, such as Lil Wayne, Future, and Travis Scott have since utilized Auto-Tune to a similar effect.
Learn more about Sommer’s Mercator CAT7 cable: https://www.sommercable.com/Cat.7-SC-Mercator-CAT.7-PUR-XL-PUR-black-OE-8-50-mm/581-0251
ABOUT SHOWTIME SOUND LLC
Showtime Sound LLC is a full-service event production company located in Frederick, Maryland that provides a wide range of audio, lighting, video, staging, and backline for any size event or venue. The Showtime team specializes in production integration. They design, build, and move events from large clubs to touring arenas to outdoor stadiums. From start to finish, Showtime Sound LLC provides turn-key event production. https://www.showtimesoundllc.com
ABOUT SOMMER CABLE
Sommer Cable Germany is an enterprising development and manufacturing company of innovative and unique cable, connector and electronic products for the Studio, A/V Installation, Live Sound, Broadcast, Video, Music, IT and HiFi markets, with business partners in over 50 countries. In 2015, Sommer Cable America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sommer Cable Germany, was established in Santa Rosa, CA. Jed Larson is COO of the new company, which supplies the North American markets with Sommer’s wide range of innovative and high-quality products. 707.200.4020 https://www.sommercable.com/en-us/
