John Bunker started out on his musical and audio tech path by having the good fortune to be hired to work for Bill Van Dusen at UA recording. It opened the door to audio recording and live music mixing, as well as becoming familiar with musical and audio equipment. From UA Recording, John was then able to meet and work with some of Sioux Falls musical groups as a PA mixer and backline tech. These would include The Apostles and Starchild and Klown.
He traveled to Los Angeles with Klown in 1976 to record an album in Hollywood. After that project was finished, he elected to stay in LA and was hired to work at LA’s premiere rehearsal studio and equipment rental house Studio Instrument Rental..S.I.R. for short. It was an amazing opportunity to get an education on all of the latest and vintage musical equipment of that time from the rental house. He was also able to learn of the latest sound and lighting gear from touring production shows that came in to rehearse at S.I.R studio’s and sound stages. It was also a great place to meet some of the top musical acts and there staff at that time.
From there John was moved on to do a tour with Jean Luc Ponte. Next on to many world tours with Weather Report, the YellowJackets, Tom Scott, Rita Coolidge. Then onto Barry Manilow, Fleetwood Mac, Sheena Easton, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Stevie Nicks, Josh Groban, Beck, Chris Isaak and Eric Clapton.
He has worked in many capacities in that industry, as audio and monitor mixer, equipment tech and tuner, also in stage manager and tour management positions.
John has also been able to as a touring member of the production staff take many of the acts he’s been associated with to do performances on almost all of the televisions talk shows. From Johnny Carson onward, as well as many many rock videos, John has also worked in the television industry as an audio technician on various productions from shows like The Man show, Dancing with the Stars, The Grammy’s, The Golden Globes, The Latin Grammy’s, Jimmy Kimmel live, On Air w/ Ryan Seacrest, BET Live, 9-11 etc. To game shows like $25,000 Pyramid and Pet Star. And many more. John was also awarded a local Emmy for special audio effects on a Tournament of Roses Parade telecast.
Awards