Meet Indigo Kretzschmar-May

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Indigo Kretzschmar-May. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Indigo below.

Hi Indigo, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I found my purpose with Showco Archives by reconnecting with my dad’s legacy—sorting through his old memorabilia, I realized these stories mattered to so many more people than just me. Learning to archive, organize, and share these memories wasn’t easy, but every challenge taught me patience and the value of community. What started as a personal project became a mission: to honor Showco’s behind-the-scenes heroes and keep our shared history alive.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Indigo, and Showco Archives is both my passion and my profession. I started this journey by preserving my dad’s memorabilia—he was a Showco sound engineer and part of some of rock’s most iconic moments. What began as a personal project quickly became a calling to honor the unsung heroes of live music and keep our shared history alive.

Professionally, I manage every aspect of Showco Archives: collecting, cataloging, and sharing stories, photos, and memorabilia from the golden era of touring. I run the Showco Swag Shop, where you’ll find both vintage originals and reproductions, plus rare additions—like just-discovered tour shirts, crew passes, and one-of-a-kind collectibles, all with authentic provenance.

What excites me most is connecting with the community—alumni, collectors, and fans—who share a love for the behind-the-scenes magic of live music. Every piece in the archive has a story, and I get to help tell it. There’s nothing more special than seeing someone recognize a name, a face, or a memory and feel part of the Showco family.

Showco was never just a company—it was a family, and that spirit lives on in everything I do. If you’re curious about the latest rare finds or want to share your own Showco memory, I’d love to connect. The archive is always growing, and every story matters.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Patience
Archiving and preserving history isn’t fast or easy—it takes time to sort, catalog, and make sense of thousands of items. Patience helps me avoid burnout and allows me to honor every story without rushing.
Advice: Give yourself permission to go slow. Progress is progress, even if it’s one photo or story at a time.

2. Curiosity
My curiosity drives me to dig deeper, ask questions, and learn about the people and moments behind every artifact. It keeps the work interesting and makes every discovery feel meaningful.
Advice: Stay curious—ask “why” and “how,” and let your questions lead you to new connections and insights.

3. Community-Building
I realized early on that I couldn’t do this alone. Building relationships with alumni, volunteers, and fans make the archive richer and more accurate, and bring so much joy to the process.
Advice: Don’t be afraid to reach out, ask for help, or invite others to share their stories. Community makes the journey more rewarding and sustainable.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’m actively looking to connect with individuals, institutions, or organizations who share a passion for preserving music history and supporting the Showco legacy. My dream is to find a long-term partner—ideally a university archive, like SMU—or a museum, curator, historian, or nonprofit committed to safeguarding and celebrating this collection for future generations.

I’m especially interested in collaborating with:

University libraries and special collections (with a focus on music, performing arts, or Texas history)

Museums and cultural institutions

Archivists, historians, and preservation specialists

Nonprofits supporting the arts or music industry

Journalists and storytellers with a passion for live music history

If you’re reading this and feel a spark of interest—or know someone who might—please reach out. I’m eager to work together, whether it’s through a formal partnership, a collaborative project, or simply sharing expertise and resources. This archive is bigger than one person, and I want to ensure it finds a lasting home and community.

You can connect with me directly at [email protected] or through the Showco Archives website. Let’s keep these stories alive, together.

www.showcoarchives.com

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