Behold your March Stage Presence Newsletter designed to offer up some fun and support to our global community of artists. Here we share ideas, discuss new products, honor members of our community, learn from one another and find inspiration in our craft of bringing music to the world.
Thank you to our wonderful family of customers who jumped in and supported last month's release of the LightRanger Overhead Telescopic Stage Light. This step represents a natural evolution for StompLight, transforming our company from an innovative lighting pedal manufacturer into a comprehensive stage lighting solution provider. The new LightRanger 2000®, a military-grade portable telescopic lighting system that delivers up to 2,000 lumens of LED illumination with three color temperature options. Weighing just 5 pounds and extending from 3' to 10', the system features a 67-watt Li-ion battery providing up to 45 hours of runtime and Bluetooth app control for precise adjustments.
With the addition of the LightRanger 2000® StompLight now offers a new line of premium bundles, including the Deluxe Soloist and Duo Bundles, which pair the StompLight Pro Stage Lighting Pedal with the LightRanger 2000®. This combination offers performers a complete lighting solution that can be deployed in under 3 minutes, ideal for venues ranging from intimate coffee shops to outdoor festivals. If you already own a StompLight you can purchase a LightRanger2000® separately.
StompLight President Michael John Ahern with a Deluxe Duo Bundle. Click here to learn more!
We continue to include StompLight Fantasy LP album covers (thank you to David Conners and Carrie Smith for their submissions!), some Words of Wisdom from the StompLight Bunker Boys, a new feature - MJ's You Tube Video of the Month and as always an opportunity to share your StompLight Experience via a short StompLight Survey link where any and all feedback helps us build gear that makes musician's lives better.
This month we proudly introduce StompLight Artist of the Month and dear friend Chris Cotruvo!
Chris Cotruvo
StompLight March 2025 Artist of the Month
Chris is a versatile acoustic electric guitarist and singer based in Northern California. Born in Casablanca Morocco and raised in Oakland California Chris eventually found his way to sleepy Half Moon Bay where he graduated high school and eventually formed a band traveling to LA to pursue his dream of being a professional musician. For the past 30 years Chris has been working his day job as a carpenter, playing guitar in bands and at times recording music with a small variety of Coastside musical ensembles that included the Robin Campbell Band and Katie Chase Band. In 2007 Chris began to perform with StompLight Founder Michael John Ahern and a musical brotherhood was forged that holds strong to this day. Today Chris performs along side of Michael in the Rockmakers and as popular Wine Country duo with the critically acclaimed Tribute To American Songwriters. VIEW
During the Covid lockdown in 2020 Chris and Michael bravely accepted the offer to work with the Sonoma Mission Inn to produce a series of much needed outdoor concerts for the guests and Sonoma locals. Since 2020 Chris and Michael have been musical presence in Sonoma Valley performing at winerys, country clubs, estate parties, resorts and charity events supporting animal rescue. Chris has been utilizing StompLights for over a decade in his live production and video and volunteered to model in our marketing imagery. We are thankful for Chris's support, his contribution to the arts and his passion for live performance.
We asked Chris some questions around his musical world.
What is something you have learned along the way as a working musician that has helped you succeed?
Always have a back up amp! Although I perform these days with a 65 Lil Elvis I keep a Fender Blues Jr and Vox 30 at the ready.
If you could see any artist perform, living or dead, who would it be?
Miles Davis
Favorite piece of gear?
My new Jeff Beck Stratocaster
What attributes do you look for in musicians you collaborate with?
Easy going and able to go with the flow
What are your passions outside of music?
Attempting to play golf
How has StompLight had impact on your creative experience?
StompLight has allowed me to have a more professional appearance and fun to use!
Watch Chris In Action! VIEW
If you would like to be featured as a StompLight Artist of the Month and a StompLight StAy LiT! Flask recipient, send us an email with a picture of you holding your StompLight, a description what you are doing musically and a link to your musical universe. info@stomplight.com
Have a StompLight bundle, but not sure how to get the most out of it? Check out our page with simple stage lighting setup tutorials where we can walk you through positioning your lights and finding the setup that works best for you, whether you're a singer/songwriter or a DJ.
In each Stage Presence newsletter StompLight President and Music Professional Michael John Ahern offers up a dose of wisdom acquired from decades of songwriting, promotion, booking and performing around the world.
I am the musical director for an original jazz rock 6-piece rehearsing for a showcase in Early April. Through no fault of any one bandmember a recent rehearsal changed last minute leading to a shorter rehearsal and confusion around start time that led to players finding their way to the studio at different times. What followed for me was a rough session struggling to play my new parts, equipment issues and hitting my vocal and instrumental cues. I guess I felt pressured by the limited time and frustrated with myself not being better prepared.
After the session I texted my bandmates sharing my disappointment in my contribution and with a pledge to do better next time. Each responded by stating it was all good. My bandmate Tommy added the following thought provoking piece of perspective...."Michael, the medium we are working it is like being at sea."
I love that analogy. In performance we weather storms and also bask in calm sunsets always surrounded by powerful and mysterious forces.
See previous MJ's Words of Wisdom HERE
