Just a few short months after Sidney High School’s graduation in 1975, David Shadoan loaded into a friend’s old Chevy van and headed for the west coast. He used to read the back of record albums and would take in all the information he could about the musicians. Though uncertain as to what capacity, Dave knew he would pursue music as part of his profession. He likely never imagined that trip would take him on a journey in which he would work with some of the music industry’s biggest names, nor did he know it would ultimately lead to his induction in his alma mater’s Hall of Honor.
The Sidney City Schools Hall of Honor is representative of alumni, former employees, and supporters of the school district who have positively impacted the community, excelled in their profession or contributed to making a lasting impression on the world. Its membership is set to increase to 131 on Friday, April 12, 2019. The 26th annual induction ceremony will take place in the Sidney High School Auditorium beginning at 7:00 pm and will be followed by a gymnasium reception, both of which are fully open to the public.
On his trip out west to California. Dave met Ross Ritto, who was a partner in Silverfish Audio, a sound rental company. In Ritto, Dave found a mentor and friend but he also found exactly what he was looking for in a career.
For a few years in California, Dave worked various jobs to make ends meet. He eventually purchased stock in Silverfish Audio and together with Ritto, he became co-owner of the company.
In 1981, the two renamed the company to Sound Image–a name that has risen to the top of the music industry. Sound Image provides various speaker and audio products for concerts, other events, and venues around the United States and all over the world.
Sound Image’s early success came in 1994 when Dave’s company worked for Pink Floyd on their last international tour. The success Dave experienced on that tour catapulted him and his company to the top of the music production industry and resulted in signing several big-name clients.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Jimmy Buffett, Janet Jackson, Brad Paisley, Maroon 5, Crosby Stills and Nash, and many more – these are some of the artists Shadoan and Sound Image have worked with.
In their early years, Dave and Sound Image developed a new carbon fiber speaker system for which they received several U.S. patents. The company expanded as it opened offices in Nashville and Phoenix. In 2015, the company had outgrown its headquarters in Escondido, California, so they built a new 100,000 plus square foot facility. Later in 2015, they started a European division, with an office in London, to better serve their clients on the European continent. Sound Image now has five offices in all and employs hundreds of people.
Dave’s success on the largest stage has earned him and his company several prestigious honors. In 2012, he went into the Audio Engineering Society Hall of Fame by receiving the Audio Innovator Lifetime Achievement Award. Sound Image has been voted Sound Company of the Year twelve out of the last 20 years. It has become one of the largest live audio companies in the world and has a stellar reputation.
Dave has given back to his hometown of Sidney in many ways. He has graciously provided equipment, manpower, and funds to Raise the Roof for the Arts and supported their Backstage Block Party. He continues to be involved with projects in the downtown area of Sidney.
Dave and his wife Linda have a house in Sidney but hold permanent residence in Vista, California. He joins Mick Given (HOH 2017) as members of the class of 1975 to be inducted into the Sidney City Schools Hall of Honor and joins Tim Bickel (SHS 1967), Tom Clark, and Taylor Stayton (SHS 2003) as a part of the 2019 Hall of Honor induction class.