Today we’d like to introduce you to Indigo Kretzschmar-May.
Hi Indigo, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Indigo Kretzschmar-May, and I’m the founder and solo archivist behind Showco Archives. I’m also the daughter of the late Donnie “DK” Kretzschmar, who served as a senior sound engineer for Showco, Inc. from 1974
until his passing in 1986. He worked with legendary acts like Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Prince, and his life—and ultimately his fate—were shaped by the realities of the touring industry. He passed away from complications related to injuries sustained in the aftermath of the tragic Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash.
Growing up, I was surrounded by my father’s stories, memorabilia, and the close-knit Showco community. That upbringing gave me a deep respect for the innovation and camaraderie that defined those years, and also a realization of how easily these stories and artifacts could be lost.
What began as a personal project to organize my father’s collection soon grew into something much bigger. As I connected with Showco alumni, I discovered a shared desire to preserve this unique legacy. Today, I run Showco Archives as a solo effort, curating an ever-growing collection built not just from my father’s memorabilia but from generous contributions by alumni across the industry.
Through the Crew Swag Shop, I help fund healthcare resources for Showco alumni and industry charities. My mission is to honor the hard work, creativity, and spirit of the Showco family, ensuring that these stories, artifacts, and the legacy of Showco remain accessible to future generations of music lovers and industry professionals.
Looking ahead, one of my biggest goals is to see Showco formally recognized by the city of Dallas for its cultural impact—and maybe even earn a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I believe Showco’s story deserves to be celebrated and remembered on a larger stage.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building and running Showco, Ltd. Co. has been both rewarding and challenging. As a solo operator, I’ve faced the constant pressure of wearing every hat—archivist, business owner, marketer, customer support, and web manager. Time management is an ongoing challenge, especially balancing day-to-day operations with the long-term goal of fully documenting and sharing the Showco legacy.
Social media and content creation have been particularly demanding. Consistently generating engaging posts, managing email campaigns, and driving website traffic all require significant time and creativity—resources that are always in short supply when you’re a team of one. Technical hurdles, like keeping the website updated and user-friendly, add another layer of complexity.
Emotionally, the work is deeply personal. Preserving my father’s legacy and the stories of the Showco community is a labor of love, but it also means confronting loss and the weight of responsibility to get it right.
Despite these struggles, the support from Showco alumni and fans keeps me motivated to push forward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m the founder and solo operator of Showco, Ltd. Co., an independent archive and memorabilia shop dedicated to preserving the legacy of SHOWCO—a pioneering live concert sound company that helped shape the touring industry from the 1960s through the 1980s. My work spans everything from archiving and digitizing historical documents and artifacts to running our Crew Swag Shop, managing the website, handling customer support, and creating content for our community of Showco alumni and fans.
Before this, I spent over 15 years as an educator. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I left teaching and committed myself full-time to the Showco project. It actually began as an idea for a documentary about the company and its people, and while that film hasn’t come to fruition—yet—I’m always on the lookout for the right documentarian to help bring it to life.
I specialize in curating and documenting Showco’s rich history, from vintage crew shirts and backstage passes to technical documents, photographs, and rare audio recordings. I’m known for building the first comprehensive archive dedicated to a company that played a crucial role in live music history, and for connecting with alumni to gather and preserve their stories and contributions.
What I’m most proud of is how this project has grown from a personal effort—rooted in my father’s career as a Showco sound engineer—into a resource that supports the entire industry community. Proceeds from my Crew Swag Shop go to vital music industry charities like MusiCares and Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, as well as directly supporting Showco alumni.
What sets me apart is my personal connection to Showco’s story and my commitment to doing this work as a team of one. I’m not just preserving artifacts; I’m preserving the spirit, innovation, and camaraderie that defined Showco. This is more than a business—it’s a mission to make sure these stories are never forgotten and to honor the people who made live music history behind the scenes.
On a personal note, I’m a mother of two grown sons (ages 29 and 21) and a grandmother to two young boys (ages 3 and 5). My father’s history is at the heart of this work, and I’m proud to be building something lasting for both the Showco community and the next generation.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’ve never thought of myself as a natural risk-taker, but building Showco, Ltd. Co. (Showco Archives) has definitely involved some leaps of faith. For me, risk isn’t about thrill-seeking or making impulsive decisions—it’s about believing in something meaningful, embracing uncertainty, and being willing to invest your time, energy, and heart even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
One of the biggest risks I took was stepping away from my 15-year career as an educator to focus full-time on the Showco project. I made this transition during the pandemic, a time of upheaval for so many. I’m fortunate to have a very supportive husband, Gilbert May III, who encouraged me to pursue this work and has stood by me every step of the way. His support made it possible for me to take this risk with confidence and focus on building something lasting for the Showco community.
There was also the emotional risk of putting my family’s story—and the broader Showco legacy—out into the world, asking others to trust me with their memories and artifacts. I was building something new in a niche space, and I knew there was a chance it might not resonate or find its audience.
What I’ve learned is that meaningful work always involves some risk. The key is to balance passion with preparation, do your research, and lean on your support system. I see risk as an opportunity to grow and make a difference, especially when it’s for a cause you believe in.
So, while I wouldn’t call myself a natural risk-taker, I do believe in taking thoughtful risks for the right reasons. That mindset has brought me to where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://showco.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showcoarchives/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialshowcoarchives
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@showcoarchives
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/CLDgfGFGdQdezaHN5z
