I was given the nickname ‘Frenchy’ about ten or so years ago in a bar in Watkin’s Glen, NY. Bobby Coles, another audio guy from California was asking about the origin of my last name, which ends with the letter ‘X’. I told him it’s French, and he nicknamed me Frenchy, right there on the spot.

Obviously, the nickname stuck.

Having a nickname was helpful working in Boston, as there were at least four other ‘Marks’ that could end up on the same crew. But in Boston there was just one Frenchy.

My nickname sometimes proved to be a bad thing, because some people don’t know what my real name is. There were times I would hear, “Yeah, I heard that so-and-so was looking for an audio mixer. I wanted to give them your name so they could call you, but I didn’t know what it was.”

Today on my NBA Playoff game in Denver, I had another first. Yup. There is another Frenchy on the crew. A tape operator. I’ve heard about my nemesis, but never met him face to face before.

This will be a fun day, since everyone on the crew knows both of us as Frenchy. At least when the yelling starts tonight, I’ll have someone to share the blame with!

Author: frenchy