The Expendables Return With 2015 Winter Blackout Tour

California based reggae-rockers, The Expendables, have announced their early 2015 tour plans, which will find the band headlining from coast-to-coast and back again over a near three month span. Dubbed 'The Winter Blackout Tour,' The Expandables will be kicking off at The Majestic Theater in Ventura, CA on January 23rd, and will make thier way throughout the U.S. for the following 8 weeks before bringing the headlining trek to a halt at the House of Blues in San Diega, CA on March 15th.

A full list of tour dates can be found at www.TheExpendables.net.

Randy Black Joins Alice Cooper On Tour

Pearl Artist, Randy Black, recently released footage from his tour-closing performance of the Alice Cooper classic, "School's Out," live from the 5th annual 'Rock Meets Classic' Tour - a live concert event combining an all star lineup of rock legends performing their respective hits alongside a full 45-member orchestra. Multi-angle drum-cam footage of Randy Black, along with full production footage from the tour's final stop can be viewed here.

The 2014 version of the Rock Meets Classic tour cycled around Germany throughout March and into May of this year, and featured Alice Cooper, Orianthi, Joe Lynn Turner (Deep Purple), and others, along with the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra Prague.

Pearl Welcomes Jen Ledger of Skillet

Pearl Drums welcomes a new drummer to the Pearl Drums Artist Roster: Jen Ledger of Skillet! Jen Ledger has been the driving force behind Skillet since rightfully earning the throne back in 2008, and has since molded into one of the finest rock drummers of today. Skillet is currently touring in support of their 2013 release, Rise, which features the singles “Sick of It," “American Noise," “Rise,” and “Not Gonna Die”.  Shortly following the album’s release, Rise, reached No. 1 status on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums Chart, Top Alternative Albums Chart, Top Hard Rock Albums Chart, and Top Christian Albums Chart, along with reaching the No. 4 position on the Billboard Top 200.

Skillet will kick off a U.S. tour, which begins on January 2^nd at the Charleston Civic Center Coliseum, in Charleston, NC, and will make their way around the country for the following three months before coming to a close at the Peoria Civic Center Arena, in Peoria, IL, on March 29^th.  Known as ‘The Winter Jam Tour’, this trek will serve as Jen’s first run behind the Pearl name, and she’ll be turning to her custom Reference Pure drums for the entirety of the dates.

LOUD Appoints Tan Mackie Product Specialist

LOUD Technologies Music Gear Group has announced the appointment of Jason Tan to the position of Mackie product specialist for the APAC Region. Based in Singapore, Tan joins LOUD after more than 20 years in the professional audio industry.

In addition to a lengthy career in live sound and recording, Tan is the founder of Eastwardaudio, one of the region's major production facilities, where he oversaw productions for Universal Music, Sony BMG, EMI, Pony Canyon, and other major labels, as well as film scores and corporate clients including Coca Cola, Lexus, Hitachi, and Motorola. Singapore's National Arts Council also appointed Tan as a mentor to their youth music program.

Audio-Technica Names New Rep Firm for Southeastern U.S.

Slash to Receive Les Paul Award at NAMM TEC Awards

Iconic guitarist Slash will receive the prestigious Les Paul Award during the 30th Annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, to be held Saturday, January 24 in Anaheim, California. Comedian Sinbad will provide the laughs as the evening’s host. The NAMM TEC Awards honors individuals and companies across 30 categories, for outstanding achievement in professional audio technology and production.

The Les Paul Award named for the revolutionary inventor and esteemed musician, honors individuals or institutions that have set the highest standards of excellence in the creative application of audio and music technology. Instituted in 1991, the honor has been granted to luminaries including Pete Townshend, Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Todd Rundgren, and Peter Gabriel.

Oriolo Guitars Makes $40,000 Instrument Donation to GITC

San Diego-based non-profit Guitars in the Classroom (GITC) announced that the Oriolo Guitar Co. recently made a $40,000 donation of guitars and ukuleles to its work of bringing music into the heart of academic learning across the country. Oriolo Guitars are best known for their colorful artwork, many featuring the popular character Felix the Cat who was produced by Joe Oriolo.

Oriolo’s son, Don, took the helm of Felix The Cat Productions Inc. in 1984 and has produced numerous episodes of Felix and brought the licensing brand to new heights. Oriolo entered the musical instruments/products world in 2008 when he first designed and manufactured his Oriolo Guitars. The company was founded by Don and believes in making music-based learning enjoyable for all kids.

Arturia appoints Goldheim as President, U.S. Operations

Grenoble, France-headquartered music software and hardware company Arturia has appointed former Focusrite-Novation director, U.S. Sales Ralph Goldheim to the newly-created position of president, U.S. Operations as part of its ongoing expansion strategy.

Goldheim brings extensive experience in sales and marketing management to Arturia, having worked in the pro audio/MI industry for more than 25 years with a number of key executive positions to his notable name, including significant tenures at M-Audio (MSN), 360 Systems (VP), Line 6 (VP/co-founder), and Alesis Corporation (VP) prior to Focusrite-Novation.

Aurisonics Names Volkerding National Sales Manager

Aurisonics, Inc. has named Mike Volkerding to the position of national sales manager for the U.S. MI market. Volkerding 's new role will be to develop partnerships with music retailers and their clients: the performing musician.

Trade Regrets: Frank Green

Frank Green opened Music for Everyone in Southern California in 1959. He began working in the music industry some 12 years earlier as student enroller in an accordion school. He soon became a teacher for the school and a manager before deciding to open his own store. Frank spent time as a rep for Pacific Music and Music Man for which he wrote a book. In recent years, Green helped archive the industry’s history with several books about his career in music and by donating a full album of photographs he took of his dealers over the years to the NAMM Resource Center. 

Trade Regrets: William Kent

William Kent, who along with his late brother, Ed, formed the Kent Drum Company, passed away in his Buffalo, New York area home at the age of 99 on December 11. 

William and Ed Kent opened the Kent Drum Company in 1947 with a focus to create student-level kits to encourage music making at all economic levels.  The company offered professional-level drums as well as other products such as the tambourine.

Boulder Creek Guitars Names Hurwitz VP

Boulder Creek Guitars, Inc. has named Michael Hurwitz as vice president of Worldwide Sales. Hurwitz will oversee the sales of domestic U.S. dealers and international distributors.

“Michael is a true professional,” says Mike Replogle, Boulder Creek Guitars COO. “I’ve worked with him for over 15 years and have alway been impressed with his ability to generate positive results and great relationships – I’m truly excited to be working closely with him again at this great company”.