 Cascio Welcomes Willy Porter
Cascio Interstate Music hosted a live performance and clinic by singer-songwriter and guitarist Willy Porter. Porter performed for the crowd, answering questions between songs. He also demonstrated various techniques, including how to use his hand to make “snare” and “kick drum” sounds with the body of his guitar; and how to use a loop station when performing solo. The event was part of the store’s Guild Guitars launch.
Tascam Reorganizes Sales, Marketing Teams
In an effort to restructure both its sales and marketing teams, Tascam announced a series of hires and promotions. Paul Jenkins, who has been with the company since 2006, is now vice president of sales. Kenji Matsu was named division liaison and international sales manager, while Jeff Laity took on the role of marketing manager.
The company tapped Johnny DeLeon, Frank Frombach, and Dana West as regional sales managers. DeLeon handles the western region and comes to Tascam from stints at IK Multimedia, M-Audio, and Guitar Center. Frombach, who also serves as national contracting liaison, handles the south central region. West, coming off a stint with Loud Technologies, handles the eastern region.
To the Max
Digidesign’s new marketing manager, professional products, is Max Gutnik, who leads the marketing team in developing and implementing market strategies. Most recently, Gutnik was director of sales and marketing at Apogee Electronics. He previously worked for Sweetwater Sound and Guitar Center.
In Memoriam
Fred R. Beyer, longtime managing director of Beyerdynamic, died on June 5. He took the managing director position when his father died in 1959 and during his tenure, which ended with his retirement in 2002, the company claimed it manufactured the first wireless microphone. |
NAMM Launches Scholarship,
Hits Milestone
The NAMM Foundation launched a new scholarship program that gives full-time college students interested in the music products industry scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. “It’s been said that the music products industry is really all about people and relationships,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. “NAMM and our member companies all have a stake in attracting the best and brightest talent and it is our hope that this scholarship program will assist in filling the employment pipeline with qualified professionals to help our industry grow and thrive.”
In other news, NAMM announced that it completed its 1,000th interview as part of its Oral History Program. Former NAMM chairman and current president of Roland U.S. Dennis Houlihan was the subject of the milestone interview. The Oral History Program has been going on since 2000.
 Pageants and Parrots
Peavey invited Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund, a dean’s list scholar at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, to its Meridian, Miss., headquarters, where Mary Peavey presented her with a one-of-a-kind Peavey Scenic Series electric guitar. The instrument was signed by 70 Miss Americas and will be auctioned off to benefit the Miss America Foundation.
In other Peavey news, the company teamed up with Jimmy Buffett to create the Margaritaville SharKart. Buffett fans could use the videogame in parking lots before his concerts to play virtual guitar and vocals on songs like “Margaritaville,” “Volcano,” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” The SharKart features a 42-inch JVC HDTV, a PlayStation 3 videogame system, a custom-designed Peavey sound system with microphone, and a pair of Peavey SharKontroller videogame controllers.
 Let’s Hear it for the Boys & Girls
Full Compass president Susan Lipp served as chairperson for the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County’s (Wisc.) recent Building Winners Luncheon. At this event, the company gave the Boys & Girls Club a check for $13,000 that was earned during Full Compass’ annual golf outing.
Dean Quits Dean
Dean Guitars is now without Dean himself.
Dean Zelinsky left the company he founded in 1977 to start an unrevealed new venture on August 26. The news broke in late July.
Zelinsky sold his company in 1991, but was still very involved in its efforts. Zelinsky told several media outlets, “I can no longer attach my name, reputation, quality, and direction of Dean Guitars or its current objectives.”
Bain Capital Likes
the Sound of D&M
Bain Capital, well known in MI for its purchase of Guitar Center
last year, has dipped its toe in our industry’s waters again. Boston-based Bain, founded by former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, bought D&M Holdings for a reported $441 million. Bain plans to make D&M a private company. It is currently listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
D&M bulked up its portfolio earlier this year by buying Allen & Heath. The company previously purchased Boston Acoustics in a separate transaction.
D&M is also known for several other brands including Denon, Denon DJ, and Marantz. Bain Capital made a tender offer of 510 yen per share on July 25. Another Japanese audio company, Kenwood Corp., may partner with Bain on the purchase.
Best Buy and Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity also eyed purchasing D&M, but dropped out after the first round of bids were submitted.
Chance to Meet Satch
CAD Professional Microphones launched a contest beginning today giving Web site visitors a chance to meet Joe Satriani. The contest ends on Sept. 30. Five third-place winners will receive a CAD T-shirt. Three second-place winners will receive a CAD Signature Series Joe Satriani Guitar Amp Mic Pack. And one winner will receive airfare, concert ticket and backstage pass to meet Satriani this fall.
Engen Out at LOUD
LOUD Technologies Chairman and CEO Jamie Engen stepped down from both roles on Aug. 15. Rodney Olson, a veteran of Cardinal Brands, a Kansas-based office products company, has been tapped to replace Engen. LOUD’s board of directors did not cite an exact reason for Engen’s departure. It did however honor his 10 years of service and called Olson a “strong successor to take over the reigns and continue our growth efforts.”
|
