Celebrating 145 years in 2024! Est. 1879, the Oldest and Most-Read Magazine Covering the MI Trade! Qualified MI Trade? Subscribe Now for Free! CLICK HERE!
On May 2, Sam Ash posted the following on Faceboook:
It is with a heavy heart that we announce that all Sam Ash Music store locations will begin store closing sales today. This unfortunate news also presents a fantastic opportunity for great deals across our premium selection of musical instruments & pro sound equipment. We will also be offering specials on samash.com during this time. Thank you for allowing us to serve musicians like you for 100 years.
With much love and deep gratitude
The Ash Family
Sam Ash Music Corp. has long been the second largest MI retail chain in America, behind Guitar Center. In our most recent “America’s Top Music Chains” report from December, 2023, Sam Ash was believed to have 44 retail outlets in operation. In September of last year, longtime COO Sammy Ash passed away.
2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the storied MI institution.
As of this posting, MMR has reached out to Sam Ash management, but not yet received any response.
Sellers on Reverb See Growth in Q1 2024, Outperforming Every Quarter of 2023
Reverb, the largest online marketplace dedicated to buying and selling used and new musical instruments, has announced that its sellers saw continued growth in Q1 2024, outpacing every quarter of 2023. This success is part of a larger trend that has seen sales on Reverb increase by nearly 50% since 2020, fueled by demand for used and outlet music gear.
As interest in competitively priced musical instruments continued to grow throughout Q1 2024, sellers on Reverb saw sales of used and outlet music gear outpace their respective sales from Q1 2023, with sales of outlet music gear increasing by 20%.
To further support seller sales growth throughout the quarter, Reverb continued to enhance its proprietary seller tools, improve onsite search functionality—making it easier for buyers to find sellers’ competitively priced gear—and invest in full-funnel marketing.
In Q1, Reverb’s marketing efforts focused on driving awareness to its sellers and their competitively priced gear generated over 375 million impressions across its social media channels and paid advertising. Coupled with localized advertising, this affordability-focused marketing has resonated well in the US and the UK, Reverb’s second largest market, leading to a 13% increase in sales in the UK in Q1 of 2024 compared to Q1 of 2023.
“For over a decade, music makers have turned to Reverb’s seller community to find their next sound, from unique, one-of-a-kind instruments to affordable, used alternatives,” said Reverb’s CMO Kristen Cho. “We make it easy for buyers and sellers to connect over the perfect piece of music gear. Increasingly, that means supporting our sellers as buyers search for deals and affordable gear to fit their budgets. With our specialization and focus on affordability, we help sellers continue to grow their businesses and reach the next generation of music makers online.”
In Q1, Reverb generated buzz with music makers through affordability-focused video advertising campaigns and inspirational content. Notably, a campaign with award-winning blues rock guitarist Joe Bonomassademonstrated how music gear totaling just $1,000 can sound as good as a nearly priceless Jimi Hendrix setup.
To learn more about how to connect with the millions of music makers on Reverb looking for competitively priced music gear, contact [email protected].
Guitar Center Inducts Guitarist Gary Clark Jr. Into RockWalk
Guitar Center Inducts Four-Time Grammy® Award Winner Gary Clark Jr. Into RockWalk in Los Angeles, CA, on May 1, 2024. Photo by Guitar Center
On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, Guitar Center announced the induction of four-time GRAMMY®-winning guitarist Gary Clark Jr. into the retailer’s iconic RockWalk. The private ceremony took place at Guitar Center’s Hollywood location on Sunset Boulevard. Following the ceremony, Gary Clark Jr. performed at Guitar Center’s flagship – his first concert in Los Angeles since releasing his newest album, JPEG RAW.
“We are thrilled to welcome Gary Clark Jr. into the esteemed ranks of Guitar Center’s RockWalk inductees. His extraordinary talent and contributions to music make him a perfect fit for this honor,” said Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center. “Gary’s induction is a testament to his incredible impact on the world of music, and we were pleased to celebrate his achievements at this year’s ceremony. His handprints are a prestigious addition to Guitar Center’s RockWalk, alongside the legends who have shaped the industry.”
The RockWalk ceremony made a return to the city of Los Angeles after six years. Renowned Los Angeles broadcast music journalist Nic Harcourt hosted the memorable evening and presented Gary Clark Jr. with the prestigious recognition.
“I am honored to be the latest inductee into Guitar Center’s RockWalk,” stated Gary Clark Jr., the celebrated musician and newest RockWalk honoree. “This recognition holds immense significance for me, as it not only reflects my unwavering dedication and love for music but also acknowledges the respect and admiration of my peers and fellow musicians, who I also equally love and admire.”
Guitar Center’s RockWalk is dedicated to honoring those artists who have made a significant impact and lasting contribution to the growth and evolution of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Blues and R&B. As the newest RockWalk inductee, Gary Clark Jr.’s handprints now reside alongside the handprints, signatures, and faces of other equally accomplished musicians and innovators such as Eric Clapton, George Martin, Jimmy Page, Ozzy Osbourne, Carlos Santana, Johnny Cash, Van Halen, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, B.B. King, Stevie Wonder, Run-D.M.C., Maná, Linkin Park, and Queen, among numerous others.
Applied Research & Technology Celebrates 40 Years
Applied Research and Technology, a division of Yorkville Sound, is proud to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024. ART was founded in Rochester, New York by a team of engineers who first worked together at legendary pedal company MXR: Phil Betette, Tony Gambacurta, John Langlois, Richard Neutrour, and Terry Sherwood.
The company originally focused on the recording market, and the first ART products were digital reverbs. “We set out to produce good, solid, reliable products,” recalls Steve Hendee, Export Manager at Yorkville Sound and one of ART’s original employees. “No bells and whistles, just affordable, easy to use, and built to stand the test of time.”
This design philosophy is exemplified by the product for which ART may be best known, the Tube MP. The compact tube microphone preamp was nominated for a prestigious TEC Award in 1996 for “Outstanding Technical Achievement” in the Mic Preamplifier Technology category. It remains in production today and has earned the title of the world’s most popular external microphone preamp.
As with Hendee’s four-decade tenure, long relationships are a cornerstone of the brand. Yorkville Sound was an original distribution partner, and ART officially joined the Yorkville family in 1999. Manufacturing relationships have similar longevity: “We have been using the same manufacturer since the beginning,” he explains, “and treat each other as family.
On the importance of customer relationships, Hendee observes “ART users are almost like a secret society. Those who know, know. It’s a great global community, with two-way dialogue about the gear, hacks, what’s coming up, and what we should build next.”
Today, ART product development is headquartered in Yorkville Sound’s offices outside of Toronto, Canada, and the brand has grown to also serve the live sound and installed sound markets. At the 2024 Winter NAMM Show, ART announced the new Solo Series – a trio of all-analog 1U rackmount tube processors, priced to be accessible to any recording musician.
Jeff Cowling, Yorkville Sound’s vice president of Sales & Marketing, is proud of ART’s accomplishments: “One digital reverb concept out of Rochester in 1984 spawned a movement of recording enthusiasts. ART products can now be found in project and professional studios, and on stages around the world. For forty years, ART has inspired creativity and made music production more affordable and accessible.”
More releases are planned throughout the anniversary year, and ART is also looking forward to the 30th anniversary of the Tube MP in 2025.
Interested in becoming a dealer for ART? Click here.
China Film Group Completes Huge Monitoring Upgrade with Genelec
China Film Group is a forward-thinking production house that has consistently embraced new technology and never shied away from investing in the right equipment. The latest example of this has seen its Sound and Picture Production Center install 147 Genelec monitors across 28 recording studios, editing rooms and production studios.
China Film upgraded due to the increased importance that is placed on audio by consumers. “In film and television, sound is greater than visuals, where ‘greater’ refers to the spatial extension,” states China Film Sound Director, Wang Danrong. “Sound fills the entire space, while visuals are confined to the screen.”
This shift has placed different demands on the monitoring environment, with engineers placing more emphasis on precision and uniformity. “When evaluating a piece of equipment, we usually consider its technology, parameters, and more,” continues Wang Danrong. “Personally, I believe it’s essential to look at the brand’s history and its pursuit of sound. I find Genelec’s pursuit of ‘real’ sound quite reliable.”
Supporting China Film through the process was Digital Media Technology Co. Ltd. (DMT). It took on the responsibility for the design and integration of the monitoring system. “Genelec’s outstanding product quality and stable performance have always been our guarantee of confidence in system design,” states Wang Yufei, the project’s overall supervisor and Technical Director of DMT. “When you recommend a professional product to a client, you don’t want it to have any issues. Nowadays, the production cycle for filmmaking is tight, and the importance of delivering projects on time is comparable to live television broadcasts. Any flaws in sound could potentially delay the film’s release, so the entire range of Genelec solutions can be said to help films meet their scheduled release dates.”
The staggering breadth of the project has seen China Film equip four 7.1.4 immersive rooms, twenty rooms with either 5.0 or 5.1 surround systems, and a further four stereo rooms – entirely with Genelec Smart Active Monitoring. Rooms 212, 311 and 312 all serve as 7.1.4 immersive pre-mix stages, while Room 412 is a dedicated Atmos mixing stage largely powered by 8361 three-way coaxial monitors from The Ones series – complemented by 8350 two-way models in the overhead positions, with a 7380 subwoofer handling the LFE content.
All the studios in the complex have benefitted from system calibration via Genelec’s GLM software. “Using GLM, there’s almost no need for extensive manual operations,” notes Wang Guanghou, Mixing Engineer at China Film. “Just running GLM once covers most aspects. The consistency of the L-C-R channels after GLM calibration is better. Moreover, GLM allows for precise adjustment of the subwoofer’s phase. In the past, adjusting 90° and then listening, adjusting 180° and listening again… doing this for every angle consumed a lot of time. So, with GLM, it’s quite user-friendly now, and the calibration methods are indeed more numerous and effective than before.”
With the rooms installed and calibrated, one of the ma
jor advantages has been the consistency of sound throughout its Sound and Picture Production Center. “Although the models in each room may differ, there is a basic consistency in all Genelec monitors,” explains Wang Danrong.
“The mixes I do on Genelecs translate well to other places,” adds Zhu Yanfeng, Mixing Engineer at China Film. “There won’t be a situation where the performance of the monitors is too exaggerated, leading to the discovery of missing elements when changing the listening environment. I think Genelec’s response curve is relatively smooth and flat. The sound coming out of Genelec monitors, I feel, is relatively guaranteed.”
The result of this is the ability to hear more details earlier in the process, creating a speedier transition to the final mix, and ultimately a more efficient workflow. Wang Guanghou has his own metaphor for the sound characteristics of the new monitoring environment. “Genelec’s sound is like lightly roasted coffee, preserving its original and authentic aroma – without any additives or miscellaneous flavors!”
Trade Regrets: Merle Johnson
Merle Johnson, longtime owner and CEO of E. K. Blessing Co. Inc., passed away at his Elkhart, Indiana, home on March 2nd, 2024, surrounded by family. He was 92. Merle is survived by his wife, Virginia, sons Randall (Randy) and David, and a daughter, Karleen.
E.K.Blessing Co. Inc. was founded in 1906 by German immigrant Emil K. Blessing, and was known as a maker of quality trumpets and cornets. In 1964 Merle joined Blessing. Under his direction the company expanded on its brasswind line, and eventually added flute manufacturing. The Blessing brand came to be distributed and recognized worldwide. Merle retired in 1998, and was succeeded by Randy.
A private family funeral was held on March 6th, and included a military (Naval) ceremony.
Make Music Day Rings in the Summer with a Worldwide Celebration of Music
Make Music Day, the worldwide festival of making music held annually on the summer solstice, today announced the return of its vast program with over 5,000 live, free music-making events across the United States on Friday, June 21.
Launched in France in 1982 as the Fête de la Musique, Make Music Day has become a global phenomenon, celebrated by millions of people in more than 2,000 cities around the world, including 154 cities in the U.S., where it has spread widely after debuting in New York in 2007. Held on the longest day of the year, the world’s largest annual music event celebrates and promotes the natural music maker in everyone, regardless of age or skill level.
Last year, 117 U.S. cities organized 4,791 free Make Music events on June 21, with more than 100 concerts each in Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New York, Madison, Wisconsin and Salem, Oregon. In 2024, another 50 U.S. communities will join Make Music Day for the first time. New Jersey is launching new Make Music Day initiatives in Englewood, Newark, Ocean City, and Paterson, sponsored by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority; Wisconsin has grown to encompass 24 Make Music chapters throughout the state; Connecticut oversees 14 citywide celebrations supported by the CT Office of the Arts; North Carolina, through the North Carolina Arts Council, has initiated new chapters in 13 counties; and Texas, through its Music Friendly Texas initiative, will feature 14 celebrations, from Laredo to Dallas. Other cities like Orlando, Tallahassee, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City are also beginning this year, bringing the total to more than 150 Make Music celebrations across the country, and over 2,000 around the world.
Completely different from a traditional music festival, Make Music Day activities are free and open to anyone wanting to participate. Reimagining their cities and towns as stages, every kind of musician — young and old, amateur, and professional, of every musical persuasion — fills streets, parks, plazas, porches, rooftops, gardens, and other public spaces to celebrate, create and share their music with friends, neighbors, and strangers.
Make Music Day is presented in the U.S. by the NAMM Foundation. “We are thrilled with the continued growth of our Make Music Day partnership that celebrates the joy of making music worldwide,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. “The collaborative efforts of NAMM member companies and local partnerships all over the globe reach hundreds of thousands of music makers and deliver an amplified message that creating music is a precious element of daily living that unites communities around the world.”
Among the many thousands of grassroots music events on June 21, opportunities for everyone to participate will abound.
In a collaboration announced last month with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and music technology company MakeMusic Inc., school and community bands across all 50 states will premiere the new piece Earthgroove by renowned composer Randall Standridge in free, public concerts. In the spirit of Make Music Day, the piece is radically inclusive, with optional parts to accommodate any kind of school musician. The music will be provided to each participating band at no cost, available as a PDF download or on the MakeMusic Cloud platform.
In Milwaukee, Make Music Day will feature the world premiere of Baby You, a public art event commissioned by the Przekrój Foundation of Warsaw, Poland, in which a massive 112-foot long hot air balloon in the shape of a sleeping newborn will be inflated and rise on the shore of Lake Michigan, accompanied by a new a cappella choral work by composer Michael Schachter for hundreds of amateur singers.
And in a returning global highlight, Make Music, Make Friends will connect 60 classes of school children aged 7-13 from Australia, Germany, Ghana, Mexico, Pakistan, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, U.K., and the U.S. on Make Music Day. Classes from each country will create musical greeting videos and share them with students from other countries. The students will watch the musical messages on June 21 and gain exposure to different regions and cultures.
Other national highlights of Make Music Day 2024 will include:
Flowerpot Music — For the fifth year, participants around the country will be invited to perform a composition by celebrated composer Elliot Cole and directed by percussionist Peter Ferry using an unlikely but beautiful percussion instrument: the flowerpot. Appropriate for musicians and non-musicians alike, participants can join a group and create outdoor soundscapes through easy-to-learn games.
Mass Appeal — People of all ages and skill levels will band together to make music in large, single-instrument groups. This year, leading music brands such as Hohner, Rhythm Band Instruments, and Vic Firth are donating thousands of free instruments so that any member of the public can stop by these events and join the band.
#MySongIsYourSong — Songwriters and composers of all styles and walks of life will join in a global song swap where they will learn a song by another artist and hear theirs covered in return.
Roomful of Pianos — Roomful of Pianos was originally featured at The NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, bringing spectacular performances of music arranged for 10 pianos, 20 pianos, or even 40 pianos to the show’s music industry attendees. Inspired by the NAMM Show experience, more than a dozen piano dealers and music schools are now bringing Roomfuls of Pianos across the country for Make Music Day, creating personalized colossal piano events for each local piano community.
Sousapalooza — In multiple cities, large groups of brass and wind musicians will assemble in parks and plazas to play the music of “March King” John Philip Sousa. Anyone is invited to download the music, bring their horn, and join the band.
Stridulations — For the second year, Make Music Day will feature “Stridulations for the Good Luck Feast,” a set of interlocking rhythmic pieces by Billy Martin (of Medeski Martin & Wood) that anyone can join, whether or not they read music. Following an ingenious system of Xs and dots, participants can sing rhythmic patterns or play them on any instrument, locking together like a samba band, or stretching out to sound like crickets calling to each other across a field. (The word “stridulations” refers to the sound that crickets make. The project will be especially relevant in the U.S. this year, when another singing insect, the periodic cicada, will emerge from Brood XIII and Brood XIX simultaneously for the first time in 221 years.)
String Together — One of the best and easiest ways to improve the sound of your guitar is putting on a fresh set of strings. For Make Music Day, dozens of music retailers are hosting a free string-changing session that comes with a free set of acoustic guitar strings from Elixir Strings (for the first 12 registrants at each store). All are welcome, from complete newbies who have never changed their strings, to more experienced players looking for a few tips from a pro guitar tech.
City-specific highlights around the U.S. will include:
Aberdeen (WA): In the hometown of Kurt Cobain, Aberdeen’s Make Music Day will feature a flash mob performance of Nirvana’s song “Come As You Are,” along with performances by local musicians, from amateurs to Hall of Fame guitarist Roger Fisher from Heart.
Fair Lawn (NJ): A unique “Mobile Car-aoke” offers the public the chance to live out their rockstar dreams by singing their favorite song in a karaoke-style setup right from the comfort of their own vehicle, and win prizes.
Macon (GA): Dr. Seuss will be on the loose at a “Green Eggs and Ham Open Mic Jam” at Riverside Branch Library.
Madison (WI): A “Flamenco Flamingo” performance will present flamenco dancers accompanied by live guitar on the State Street pedestrian mall, and the audience is encouraged to dress like flamingos.
New York (NY): The 18th annual Make Music New York features new projects like composer/conductor Matt Lavelle’s monumental “12 Houses: 100 Musicians for Peace & Unity” in Astoria Park, and the musical theater showcase “Broadway @ Bella Abzug” in Hell’s Kitchen – along with returning favorites, including: the newest version of Improv Everywhere’s audio adventure “The Mp3 Experiment Nineteen” from Pier 84 at Hudson River Park; the “Plaza by Plaza” series presented with a variety of community partners across all five boroughs; and the 11th annual Porch Stomp! featuring 100+ bluegrass and old-time musicians on Governors Island on the special date of June 15.
Palm Beach County (FL): Singers from Masterworks Chorus, the Choral Society of the Palm Beaches, the Ebony Chorale and the Young Singer of the Palm Beaches will combine forces for a large “interactive sing.”
Philadelphia (PA): Over 75 different musical instruments will be available to try out at an afternoon “Musical Instrument Petting Zoo” at Shakespeare Park, in partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia and Keep Music Alive.
All Make Music Day events are free and open to the public. Participants who wish to perform, or host musical events, may register at www.makemusicday.org. A full schedule of events will be posted on the website in early June.
Make Music Day is presented in the U.S. by The NAMM Foundation and coordinated by the nonprofit Make Music Alliance. The official hashtag is #MakeMusicDay.
Make Music Day 2024 will take place in the following states and cities:
Alabama: Decatur, Florence, Gulf Shores, Huntsville, Mobile; Arizona: Phoenix; California: Anaheim, Auburn, Big Bear, Claremont, Fresno, Fullerton, Los Angeles, Oakland, Orange, San Diego, San Jose, Topanga; Colorado: Denver; Connecticut: Bethel, Bridgeport, Danbury, Fairfield, Hebron, Middletown, New Canaan, New Haven, Northwest CT, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Southbury, Southeast CT, Waterbury; Florida: Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Tallahassee; Georgia: Atlanta, Macon; Illinois: Chicago, Wheaton; Hawai’i: statewide; Indiana: Indianapolis; Massachusetts: Boston; Michigan: Albion, Ann Arbor, Lansing; Minnesota: Hastings; Missouri: Columbia, Kansas City, Liberty, Neosho, Rolla, Springfield, St. Louis; North Carolina: Bertie County, Brunswick County, Catawba County, Kinston, McDowell County, Raleigh, Stanly County, Statesville, Stokes County, Surry County, Vance County, Wilmington, Winston-Salem; New Jersey: Englewood, Fair Lawn, Montclair, Newark, Ocean City, Paterson; New York: Albany, Auburn, Central NY, Huntington, New York City, Ossining, Poughkeepsie, Troy, Yonkers; Ohio: Avon Lake, Cincinnati, Darke County, Lakewood; Oklahoma: Muskogee; Oregon: Clatsop County, McMinnville, Polk County, Salem; Pennsylvania: Easton, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, York County; South Carolina: Columbia; Tennessee: Chattanooga, Germantown, Nashville; Texas: College Station, Dallas, Denton, Frisco, Houston, Hutto, Laredo, Round Rock, Salado, San Antonio, San Marcos, Sugar Land, Tyler, Waxahachie; Utah: Salt Lake City, Utah County; Vermont: statewide; Washington: Aberdeen, Gig Harbor, Issaquah, Seattle; Wisconsin: Appleton, Barron, Beloit, Cambridge, Chequamegon Bay, DeForest, Eau Claire, Green Bay, Kenosha, La Crosse, Land O’ Lakes, Madison, Marshfield, Middleton, Milwaukee, Monona, Oshkosh, Platteville, Shell Lake-Spooner, Sparta, Stevens Point, Superior, Waunakee.
Ritmüller Marks 25 Years of Renewed Prominence
Ritmüller pianos announces plans to celebrate the 25th Anniversary(Silver Jubilee) of its relaunch with a series of concerts throughout 2024 featuring David Syme, (June 2,June 16,July 21, August 18, September 22, October 20, November 10, December 15), who will host his famous West Cork Living Room Concerts with a program highlighting the music of Johannes Brahms.
Syme, a distinguished Ritmüller ambassador known for his extensive tours in North America, will present his “From Brahms to Syme” performances at his country home in Cork County, Ireland. He will play on a hand-built, 9-foot-2-inch Ritmüller RS280 full concert grand piano provided by Dublin-based Thornton Pianos.
The Ritmüller story began in 1795, and soon after Brahms became the first of many 19th-century famous composers who became devoted to the pianos. In 1999, the iconic piano line was revived when a team of Europe’s top piano designers joined together to create instruments that blend traditional German craftsmanship with cutting-edge technologies. Today Ritmüller has developed into a premier worldwide brand, exporting to over 112 countries worldwide.
As an American piano virtuoso living in Ireland since 2005, Syme has had a long, colorful career and has performed in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Wigmore Hall, and in major venues in 17 European countries, Canada, and Mexico. In addition, he has recorded two dozen CDs with top orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic, Czech National Symphony, and the Mexico City Symphony. Syme was previously the Ritmüller Classical Artist in Residence at the University College Cork in Ireland.
“From studying at Juilliard up to today, David Syme has enthralled audiences with his musical talent, personal anecdotes, and stories of life on the concert stage,” said Pearl River’s Global Director of Sales & Marketing Leng Tshua. “We are very fortunate to have him play an important part in the 25th anniversary of partnering with the Ritmüller brand to offer excellent instruments at a great value to musicians, educators, and families.”
Since its relaunch, industry critics and musicians alike have lauded Ritmüller’s extensive German character, sweet, warm tone, and exquisite touch. Today, Ritmüller grand and upright pianos are firmly established in rivaling the best in the world.
MMR Dealer Survey: Drum Microphone Packages
Setting up a mic for a singer in the studio or onstage? Not so terribly complicated. Same applies to guitar, bass, keys, brass & woodwind — nearly everything except DRUMS. With multiple components in most kits, multiple microphones are required. As such, Drum Microphone Packages (kits, packs, sets) are popular items with both live and studio sound engineers. If you stock these microphone packages, please take a few moments to share your thoughts on this market segment by clicking here!
Danelectro Introduces the 6-12 Double Neck in Ltd Ed. White Pearl
Whilst the body shape of a twin neck guitar is often more about functionality than the aesthetics, the Danelectro 6-12 Double Neck combines both — the company’s classic ‘Dano’ art deco guise, with even more of the unmistakable soulful jangle from one guitar.
Based on the early Dano 59 short horn body style, the new Danelectro 6-12 string looks super cool in a beautiful Limited Edition White Pearl finish, offset with cream/black stacked Volume and Tone controls and chrome hardware.
Hardware that includes smooth operative chrome tuners on the standard 6 and larger 12 string ‘coke bottle’ headstocks, offering straight string-pull the full length of the 21-fret, polished rosewood fingerboards, via aluminium nuts to the fully adjustable bridges, with individual saddles for the octave 12 string.
Danelectro 12 string guitars have been described in the media as ‘one of the best sounding models available for the price’ and, now combined with a 6, complete with a quartet of high output lipstick pickups enhancing the natural acoustic characteristics of the semi-hollow body construction, the new Danelectro Twin Neck delivers serious single coil jangle, with twang, clarity and fast attack in abundance, that’s perfect for a host of styles, from surf to country, rockabilly to blues, pop and rock.
With its robust, size-defying lightweight construction and exceptional playability, the Dano 6-12 is perfect for studio sessions or live stage and arguably the lightest, affordable electric double neck guitar you can literally perform with all night.
Little did Nathan Daniel know when he started to produce electric guitars in the early 1950’s, just how many bona fide Rock Gods would owe their career move to Danelectro guitars, one of the few guitar brands that can truly be described as legendary, classic, iconic, retro, cool, hip and trendy.
Danelectro 6-12 Double Neck Electric Guitar: Est. U.S. Street: $899, rrp £1.199
PlayDrums.com/PMC Gears Up for International Drum Month
May marks the celebration of International Drum Month, a time to honor drummers and the rich history and culture of drums and percussion instruments. To celebrate, drum manufacturers, music stores, and educators can host events like drum clinics, workshops, concerts, and performances that highlight the diversity and versatility of drums and percussion instruments.
Regardless of age or skill level, drummers everywhere are encouraged to come together and share their love of rhythm and music.
In support of International Drum Month, PlayDrums.com is offering a “Drum Lesson with a Pro” giveaway for retailers to attract new students. Your store can promote and share this free giveaway to expand your drumming audience.
From now until May 31, drummers nationwide can register at PlayDrums.com/giveaway-entry for a chance to win a personalized one-hour lesson with this year’s artists: , Jason Gianni, Sherri Maricle, Mike Mangini, or Todd Sucherman!
Winners will also receive $200 to spend on new gear or drum lessons at their local music store or drum shop. PlayDrums.com will contact stores to introduce winners and provide them with a $200 gift card.
Join PlayDrums.com with your own International Drum Month promotions
Retailers interested in participating can receive free national exposure for their lesson-program offerings by joining the promotion, thereby increasing their lesson programs’ visibility. To be listed on the PlayDrums.com website, Click Here or contact [email protected].
Check out the Retailer Toolkit with sample press releases, social media posts, and graphics to help you publicize your store, celebrate International Drum Month, and encourage students to participate.
For more information on partnering with this promotion and being listed on the website, contact [email protected]
PlayDrums.com will be partnering with Make Music Day on group bucket drumming events. The events will range from structured classes to free-flowing bucket drumming circles, according to the concept of each local organizer.
The goal is to spread the message that to make music, all you need is a beat in your heart… and a pair of sticks. More details to come!
The success and ongoing development of the percussion industry is a direct result of the commitment and support of PlayDrums.com’s current membership roster.
‘Courage,’ the Latest Offering from Music & Arts Project Imagine, Exceeds Request Limit in Under Four Hours
Music & Arts announces the latest developments regarding Project Imagine. In an equal partnership with the Guitar Center Music Foundation, Project Imagine addresses issues related to access and equity by providing underserved music programs the opportunity to perform high-quality pieces entirely free of charge. Crafted by noted film and television composer JoAnne Harris, Courage is the series’ fourth composition (and second work for band), and is an inspirational, educational, and accessible work that will challenge any young musician. Demand for the piece exceeded previous compositions, with requests for the score exceeding capacity in only four hours following launch. The piece has been distributed to 250 band programs nationwide and will impact over ten thousand students this year alone.
Scott Lang, Director of Advocacy, Music & Arts, remarks, “The reach of Project Imagine cannot be overstated. The works associated with this important program have impacted over sixty thousand students in eight hundred schools and in forty-seven states. When coupled with our teaching tips, rehearsal suggestions, and personal development activities, Courage provides a meaningful and memorable experience for the teacher, student, and parent.”
Composer JoAnn Harris shares her inspiration for the work in the following way: “I wrote Courage in response to myriad events in the world, but particularly in the U.S., that give me anxiety. It helps me to remember that acts of courage can be small and seemingly insignificant in the beginning (like a tiny motif), but that sometimes a good idea can catch on and grow. A deep breath, a commitment to peace making, and a confidence that there are others deeply wanting to build community rooted in justice – systems that seek to value our neighbors as significantly as we value ourselves. This is the headspace I was in when I wrote Courage.”
About the composer: JoAnne Harris has conducted and recorded film scores at Abbey Road, East West, The Village, and Avatar with artists such as GRAMMY® winner Kurt Elling and members of the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Her television work includes scores for Mal de Ojo (HBO), 20/20, Primetime and Dateline. She has orchestrated and conducted scores for feature films City of Lies and The Infiltrator. Most recently, she conducted and orchestrated the score for season 2 of Life and Beth (Hulu). Other highlights include conducting ensembles for the Shinnyo-En Lantern Lighting Festival at Lincoln Center, writing string arrangements for Chris Cester (of the band Jet), working on the music team of Sylvia (Broadway), and a summer in Shenzhen, China, writing music for an aerial circus show. She is a 2020 Vandoren Emerging Artist Composer, a 2015 ASCAP “Composer to Watch” and a 2016 winner of the Dallas Winds Fanfare Competition. Her concert music has been played by Manhattan Wind Ensemble, Met Winds, ensembles at Arizona State, Oregon State University, South Dakota State University, UT Austin, Cal State Fullerton, UW Eau Claire and the University of Northern Iowa, among others. A graduate of Concordia College, JoAnne studied choral music with René Clausen. She teaches media scoring at Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema (CUNY Brooklyn College) and orchestration at Catholic University of America, and is a steering committee member of the Society of Composers and Lyricists in New York. JoAnne is a student of the organ and spends her free time working through the Orgelbüchlein. She is thankful that her formative years were spent in the company of her father’s eclectic CD collection.
More about Project Imagine:
Project Imagine features a series of compositions (classified as grade/difficulty level 2-3 out of 5) intended for middle school and high school ensembles. Each piece is accompanied by optional rehearsal suggestions / tips and personal growth curricula, creating a comprehensive nine-week thematic instructional unit that will create a memorable experience for directors and their students.
On May 2, Sam Ash posted the following on Faceboook:
Reverb
Applied Research and Technology
China Film Group
Merle Johnson, longtime owner and CEO of 
Make Music Day
Ritmüller pianos
Setting up a mic for a singer in the studio or onstage? Not so terribly complicated. Same applies to guitar, bass, keys, brass & woodwind — nearly everything except DRUMS. With multiple components in most kits, multiple microphones are required. As such, Drum Microphone Packages (kits, packs, sets) are popular items with both live and studio sound engineers. If you stock these microphone packages, please take a few moments to share your thoughts on this market segment by clicking 
Whilst the body shape of a twin neck guitar is often more about functionality than the aesthetics, the 
May marks the celebration of International Drum Month, a time to honor drummers and the rich history and culture of drums and percussion instruments. To celebrate, drum manufacturers, music stores, and educators can host events like drum clinics, workshops, concerts, and performances that highlight the diversity and versatility of drums and percussion instruments.
Music & Arts
