My real name is Andre LeBlanc. I was first introduced to fireworks as a kid growing up the 80’s. My dad would bring home fireworks to Ohio on his drive back from Florida. He’d stop at Crazy Ed’s Fireworks somewhere around Chatanooga, TN. As far as I can tell, it’s no longer in business, or at least doesn’t have a presence online. He’d do a little July 4th show on our street and all the neighbors would come out and watch. I was hooked!
Anyways…skipping well ahead to the 2010’s, I was at multiday private party and I walked on back to where some good ol’ boys were just drinkin’ and lightin’ fireworks for the hell of it.
I gave 'em some ideas on cool things they could do with 'em. Next thing you know, I was put in charge of the fireworks each year after that. However, I was just your basic, run-around-with-a-roadflare (“fusee”) guy lighting stuff; not even doing fuse boards or anything, but trying to pace things out based on rough cake timings. After that, I knew I needed to step up my game.
I was fortunate enough to find a local club and joined them. That’s where I really learned the big boy stuff. I started investing in Cobra gear, working shoots with 1.4 and 1.3 product. My first big (and only?) event was MAFF 2106 (I think). I got to help out Dane Crncic, who is fairly well known in pyro circles in the Midwest and Northeast.
After spending a more than a couple years in the club continuing to learn the trade, I started a YouTube channel (Evolution2001) to help spread the word about things I’ve learned and just provide another reference for like-minded pyros. After leaving the club, I branched out and started Phoenix Pyrotechnics with another former club member and longtime pyro.
And now that brings us up to now, and me launching Pyro-Nation with another tech-enthusiast @Eko.
I explain why I started Pyro-Nation here.
I’m as eager to continue learning as I am to teaching what I know. It’s a cycle of continuous improvement!