TQZ Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Could it be winterfest? (Note the bolded text in the following article) I know this should probably be in rumors, but being that winterfest just ended, I thought I could post it in the main forum. DEERFIELD TWP. - Everyone seems to want a piece of Carson Williams. First, the Deerfield Township man's computerized Christmas light display became an Internet sensation. Then his house was featured in a Miller Lite beer commercial. He's been featured on national talk shows and fielded more telephone calls than he can count. Traffic gridlock in his subdivision caused by the light display forced him to shut it down weeks before Christmas. Just as Williams was preparing to take a break, a new phase of fame developed. Several big organizations - including the Cincinnati Zoo - have courted the computer engineer to set up Christmas displays for them this year. Williams admits it's gotten a little crazy. But the 40-year-old husband and father of two insists he's still having fun. "I have a laid-back approach to it," he said. "I'm taking it in stride." Williams spent about two months stringing 25,000 lights on his Winding Creek Court home and yard, then used software to synchronize them to 12 minutes of Christmas music, including an energetic piece by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Williams transmitted the music from his computer to an FM radio frequency that passers-by could pick up on their car radios. Williams posted his 2004 display on the Internet last February, and it spread across the country and into Europe. Since Dec. 1, Williams has been featured on the "Today Show," "Inside Edition," "CBS Evening News," and several radio shows. "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" even played the Internet clip. "It's a hard thing to comprehend," Williams said. His wife, Sherry, and daughters, Amanda and Brittney, have had a ball. "My wife loves it. The lack of privacy is kind of annoying but the popularity is great," Williams said. "My daughter came up and said, 'I saw our house three times in school.' " Since Williams shut down the display Dec. 6, the calls have dwindled. Mostly, they're from businesses. Williams is being courted by a motor speedway, a major retailer who develops shopping malls, a shopping mall in Guam that does a small show and wants Williams' advice, the zoo and another "major park in town." "They've all wanted Christmas displays," Williams said. "A few of them want the big Internet display, and others want me to do something custom for them." Williams won't give names or details about the requests. The zoo confirmed it would like to bring Williams' show to its Festival of Lights next year. "We've had dancing waters and laser shows over the lake, a magic castle at the lake, ice carvers and puppet shows," said zoo spokesman Chad Yelton. "We have a long history of bringing in new entertainment. His would rank right up there as one of the best shows." Williams is tickled at the interest. "From a creative point of view, it's nice that people appreciate the work I've done," he said. "It'd be nice to be able to do it full time, but I still need a job." His employer, Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions, has been receptive to the time constraints on Williams' life. "As long as I get my work done," he said. As for the big question: Will the show be back next year? Williams said yes, but not at his house. "I'm looking to put my display somewhere else and point people there," he said. "I'm not done doing it, I'm just done doing it here." E-mail jlbrown@enquirer.com http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...0376/1077/rss02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOF/Z 4-ever Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 WOW, who knows what is going to happen. I was hopping PKI would try to hire him to help with Winterfest next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Mixing his high energy show with PKI's nostalgic show will be excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert_Waring Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 KI would have to be braindead to NOT try and land that guy. IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 I think I mentioned that in a previous post that it would be a good idear to hire him. <G> Ahhhh, am I good or what? <G> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrill_Biscuit Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 A major park? I guess that rules out The Beach and Coney Island. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRickster Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 No offense but im sure there are people who actually work in the industry of syncing lights etc up with music that would be highly more qualified. But maby they are hoping he will work for really cheap compared to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Considering Bud Light paid him for the rights to use his house in National Advertising, I'm thinking that he's probably top of the heap right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tubaman Posted January 18, 2006 Share Posted January 18, 2006 Put some lights on the Eifel Tower and sync them to music. It's great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkiridesmaint Posted January 18, 2006 Share Posted January 18, 2006 the equipment he uses is sold nationwide and is easy to use i have some myself checkout www.lightorama.com this is what he uses the software is easy to program it just takes a lot of time 2-3 hours just for one minute of music depending on how many channels or outputs you have carson uses 88 channels but the system is capable of handling up to 3000 seperate channels or outputs (think of 3000 independent strands of lights with a seperate connection) he uses the director series about 300$ per 16 set of channels you can download the software at the site above and see how easy it is to program, on one more note if you think carson's display is something checkout this display using the same equipment www.amazingchristmas.com www.planetchristmas.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted January 18, 2006 Share Posted January 18, 2006 Think about it this way. The equipment may be available to everyone, but Everyone did not put it together. One person achieved notariety around the world for that accomplishment and landed a major beer commercial that aired on every major network in the US. Gotta give credit where credit is due. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkiridesmaint Posted January 18, 2006 Share Posted January 18, 2006 thats why i put a link to www.planetchristmas.com yes he did do great job i didnt say he didnt he was in a contest on the today show with alot of other people on this website. we have talked on this website before we get along fine all i was saying is that this isnt something he mad from scratch (made the circuit boards and other equipment) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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