•home
Photo Files
(Click for high-res
photos)
 |
 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Third Annual Pensado Awards Pledges Support for David Platillero
— While enrolled at Nashville-based audio program The Blackbird Academy, Platillero suffered injuries from a severe traffic accident, and the Pensado Awards, taking place on Saturday, August 20, 2016, will help raise funds for his ongoing rehabilitation —
— Herb Trawick and Dave Pensado, along with the evening’s co-hosts, will be driving donations at the live event via a mobile app accessible to all in attendance —
LOS ANGELES, CA, July 29, 2016 — The third annual Pensado Awards, coming up on Saturday, August 20, 2016, has been dubbed by insiders as the must-attend audio event of the year, but there’s much more to the event than bright lights and familiar faces. The event’s organizers, led as always by Herb Trawick and Dave Pensado of Penwick Media (the producers of Pensado's Place and other industry-leading audio-related media), are taking the opportunity to raise funds and awareness around David Platillero, a talented young producer-engineer who suffered a severe traffic accident earlier this year while enrolled at Nashville’s The Blackbird Academy. David’s injuries will require intensive rehabilitation, so supporting David and his family is a key goal of this year’s Awards. Throughout the evening at the live awards ceremony, Trawick, Pensado and the event’s co-hosts will be driving donations and encouraging all in attendance to contribute via a mobile app, accompanied by updates throughout the night. Additionally, in the weeks leading up to the event, people can help raise awareness on social media by using the hashtag #WeStandForDavid.
This spring, just three weeks into classes at The Blackbird Academy, David was riding his bicycle, which he generally used for transportation around Nashville – including to and from his classes. A distracted driver ran a red light and struck David, who was seriously injured. Luckily, he was wearing a helmet, which prevented brain injury or worse, but the news was still far from positive: spinal cord injury, collapsed lung, fractured scapula, and severe lacerations on his back and left arm. A surgeon in the trauma unit, after seeing the CT and MRI scans, declared the injury to be “complete” and opined that David would likely recover very little movement below the waist and never walk again without assistance. David’s spirit is indomitable, however, and he has made significant progress already; the outlook overall is much more optimistic than it once was, but the road to recovery will be long and strenuous.
Immediately after hearing the news of the accident, David’s parents, John and Mitzi Platillero, dropped everything and raced to Nashville from their home in Knoxville. On the way, they received a call from The Blackbird Academy founder and noted producer John McBride, a long-time friend of Pensado’s Place, who was standing next to David’s bed in the emergency room at Vanderbilt Hospital. “He told us that he didn’t want David to be alone,” notes John Platillero. “He assured me that he and everyone at the academy were rooting for him. He also said he would not leave his side until we arrived. Hearing his words of encouragement and resolve to be there for David was everything to us. Later, he told us that, as far as his studies at The Blackbird Academy were concerned, David was welcome back just as soon as he was able. In the weeks since the accident, the staff, students, and community of The Blackbird Academy have been tremendously supportive.”
“Hearing about David’s injuries hit an emotional note for us,” notes Herb Trawick. “Beyond that, John McBride’s support for David is a reminder that we should treat this industry like a family, because it is. There was never any doubt that we would make David’s story a part of this year’s Pensado Awards, and help contribute to the rehabilitation and bright future of this talented young man.”
# # #
Photo file 1: DavidPlatillero.JPG
Photo caption 1: David PlatilleroPhoto file 2: DavidPlatillero_with_JohnMcBride.JPG
Photo caption 2: David Platillero, pictured at Vanderbilt Hospital after the accident with The Blackbird Academy founder John McBride.About Pensado’s Place
The hour-long weekly web series Pensado’s Place was created over five years ago. Co-hosted by legendary mix engineer Dave Pensado (Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey, Elton John, Michael Jackson and more) and show creator Herb Trawick, Pensado’s Place includes interviews with top music industry artists, engineers, producers, mixers, and record executives, as well as in-depth tutorials in production, engineering and mixing. Pensado’s Place has positioned itself as “the most influential show for audio engineers,” mixers and producers (Forbes Magazine). Pensado’s Place is more than just a show, as it highlights the very best in the industry of music, gaming, sound identity on film, and audio equipment, with a presence in live events. As a leading educational resource, Pensado’s Place is helping build the next generation of audio greats. http://www.pensadosplace.tv/.CONTACTS:
Pensado Awards Contact:
Shevy Shovlin / Pensado Awards / Business Development Manager / 313-590-0886 / info@pensadoawards.comPR Contacts:
Robert Clyne / Clyne Media / 615-662-1616 / Robert@clynemedia.com / www.clynemedia.com/
Lisa Roy / Rock & Roy / 310-463-1563 / lisaroyaudio@mac.com
All Rights Reserved.