12/07/2025
Good morning all. I am Clint Wensley, in Chinese, Qi Qiwen. Or 007 Wensley. This name was chosen for me as most friends and business people in China had a hard time saying "Clint"
In June 2026, it will be 50 years in the music & entertainment business, covering literally every aspect of the crazy industry. In Canada, I started at a very young age back in Saskatoon where starting at age 14, would skip school and go to the hockey arena back doors and wait for the bands trucks to roll in and volunteered to help load in and setup. My vigor was recognized by the concert promoter and he took me on as the local guy for postering, taking advertisement tapes to radio stations and all else.
This led to me being taken on the 1976 Western Canada Supertramp dates and trained in lighting design.... I loved it.
Imagine in those days making $75 a day. I worked for Donald K Donald and Star Kommand productions and was fortunate to work and see the best bands on earth at the time, including, KISS, RUSH, Supertramp, April Wine, Black Oak Arkansas, BTO, Trooper, Max Webster and so on.....This eventually led me to work for Bruce Allan's Calgary office where I was picked up by a Vancouver band called "Infinity". This is when I first met Rob Begg, and then on to Doug and the Slugs, Trooper, Headpins, Chilliwack and more as a LD
My time learning with Supertramp was important as they taught me to learn it all. Sound, Lighting, Staging, Keys, Guitars, Drums, Monitors, and how to make Carrot Juice for the KISS guys before they had their makeup put on....Real Story
In 1985 I went on to be site manager of Expo 86 for Westsun Lighting, I also designed several pavilions systems and became assistant site manager also for the world famous Strand Lighting.+ who was the official supplier of all theatrical lighting for the World's Fair.
As the fair was winding down, I started my own production company called "OPTDESIGN" with then partner Kurt Wagner. We quickly became the Go To production house for most large events and Official suppliers to Canada Place and the Plaza of Nations. We even did the entire coats to coast campaign of then Prime Minister Brian Mulruny in 1988. This was also the year we recorded and filmed "Alibi's" hot single and video "Do you have any doubts" which skyrocked to the top 20 on Billboard charts.
OPTDESIGNS offices and warehouse were at the Plaza of Nations, as the sale of the and started, we were contracted by the buyers. Hong Kong billionaire Li Kai Shing and produced the entire presentation from them "Under Cover" at the Discovery Theater for the BC Government.
I became very close with the family, and in February 1990 they contracted me as the General Manager of the Plaza of Nations. What a cool gig for an old roadie to land indeed!!!
I completed my 5 years contract with them, built the Plaza into the touring show and Festivals monster we were and moved back to the US Southwest where I was named US Staging manager for the 1996 Lollapalooza, the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and Country Jams USA . Went right from suit and ties to Tshirts, shorts and a waistband that always had radios hanging off ot it.
In 1999, my oldest daughter became very sick in Canada, and I returned to care for her for 2 years after her receiving a heart transplant. at age 16, in fact, she turned 16 in a comma pre surgery.
I did some gigs and other things for the 2 years, first in Edmonton where she had the surgery, then Vancouver island where she was born. (She is now She is now 43 and doing well)
During thi9s time, I started working along with an old techy friend in Ontario and we designed the very first UL Certified LED Replacement Tubes for fluorescent tubes. Phillips electronics bought us out and I created my own LED company.
This led me to move to Chongqing China and from there on, I have been doing International business development for several major manufacturers including Neo-Neon, as global Vice President and what was the World's largest LED lighting company. Neo-Neon also manufactured audio equipment based in Guangzhou China. I traveled the world for several years and setup our Central & South American operations in Nicaragua. I flew between there and our 26 branch offices for 5 years.
We sold into 185 countries, and my primary dealers in each were mostly music stores and distributors for them. I befriended 1000's of them and to this day, still am in contact with most.
Between 2017 and 2023, I was based between in Central California where i designed and build recording & video studios for a rocker from the 1960's era., and China where I was working with nightclub owners designing and building massive EDM clubs. We produced an entire series called "Berkeley the Musical" on Youtube which featured songs they has from the 60's
In September 2023, I moved permanently to Xiamen Fujian China.
I have built a solid following there and continued my work with the youth building their musical prowess and teaching AI marketing to several manufacturers at the same time. I am affiliated with 5 studios which all are now part of our "INDIE GLOBAL SERVICES" company with Rob and Marpole Studios.
Rob is another example of a fighter and seriously well trained and experienced engineer/producer.
I recently wrote a book that is now for sale on Amazon.com . It is a step by step "BIBLE" on how to market yourself in the Global Indie Music World. ""The Indie Bible To Marketing" It covers Youtube, TIKTOK, Facebook, Instagram and all others.
Rob and I are excited work work along with you, or simply coach you to becoming the best of the best in this digital world.
MUSIC IS LIFE!
