‘My Life in Percussion: Five Decades in the Music Products Industry’ from Rebeats

Rebeats announces the forthcoming release of My Life in Percussion: Five Decades in the Music Products Industry, the memoir of Karl Dustman’s fifty-five years in the music products industry becoming available in late spring of 2021.

This book offers a rare look into the career path of a recognized  industry veteran covering decades of work in the music products industry as a marketing, sales, and distribution leader for iconic percussion brands like Ludwig, Gretsch, HSS, Pearl , Sonor and Korg USA.  Nine chapters cover a time span from his musical start in a late  1950’s  school-band program through the present. Over 300 pages provide intimate details of the  people, products and perspectives  about working for some of the most famous companies and brands in the business.

A must-read for anyone  thinking about a career in the music products industry, it includes Dustman’s diverse experience with many  musical instruments in the  retail, wholesale, distribution,  and manufacturing  segments of the industry.  The similarities and vast differences between working for  American, Asian, European or large  and small family businesses are explained.  Those already in the industry will recognize the eras Dustman and  the industry has gone through, all carefully documented and covered with hundreds of photographs, illustrations of product  literature, campaigns, educational programs, elaborate trade show exhibits and memorable artist relation stories.

This is a unique chance to experience what it was like working within the largest drum company in the world, real-time career survival through multiple company buy-outs, and dodging the revolving door climate of companies  going through ownership changes.  Insights on the development of Dustman’s own marketing-communications company with recognized clients like Washburn, Baldwin, Clevelander and The Chicago Music Mart at DePaul Center and the leadership of the Percussion Marketing Council for the past nineteen years are included. Highlights include his on-going  blend of a professional performance career, music industry guest speaker platforms, music education advocacy and the nation’s first orchestral percussion showroom.