Donny, that first setup you posted was quite a bit different than the second one, where he is using a pair of line array speakers, no monitor, and less stuff. The first setup had way too much stuff, thereby taking away from him as a performer. I've always felt that the performer should be the thing everyone is focused on and when they are completely surrounded by gear and wires running everywhere, that focus is lost in the maze of gear.

That said, it was much different when Frank Sinatra stood in front of the Nelson Riddle or Count Basie Orchestra. However, he was out in front of them by a distance of 20 to 30 feet, thus he was the center of attraction to the audience. How would it be if he were standing in the center of the orchestra in the middle row? I think this is the same scenario.

JMO,

Gary