Jun 8, 2020, 09:55 AM
by
Rhythm Scene Staff
CONN-SELMER
Conn-Selmer and BD Performing Arts Join Forces to Advance Excellence in Marching Arts
Conn-Selmer, Inc. and BD Performing Arts (BDPA) have announced that The Blue Devils, RCC Indoor, and all other BDPA programs will be performing exclusively on marching instruments manufactured and distributed by Conn-Selmer, Inc. This partnership between two organizations in the marching arts will include products, education, and events.
Conn-Selmer, Inc. is a subsidiary of Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc. “We are extremely excited about The Blue Devils playing on our brands of King, Ludwig, Musser, and Bach marching instruments,” said Michael Kamphuis, Managing Director of Education at Conn-Selmer, Inc. “The Blue Devils’ commitment to innovative excellence in both the performing arts and music education makes this a great opportunity for both organizations. We look forward to developing new products with BDPA and their experienced staff in support of marching arts programs globally,”
For more information on BD Performing Arts, visit bdperformingarts.org and The Blue Devils bluedevils.org. For more information on Conn-Selmer, visit conn-selmer.com.
DRUM WORKSHOP
Tommy Lee Plays DW
Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW) welcomed back Tommy Lee to the DW Family. Tommy began his relationship with the company as a late-1980s pedal endorser and later as one of the first mainstream hard rock players to play DW Drums. He toured with his first DW kit during the Dr. Feelgoodera and was featured in DW’s American Dream video series in the early ’90s.
DW’s Founder Don Lombardi recounts Tommy’s visit to his workshop to have his pedals tuned. While waiting, he sat at a set of drums DW Vice President and Drum Designer John Good was developing. “He started playing and wouldn’t stop; he was amazed at how the drums sounded,” explains Lombardi. “A light went on in my head that Tommy Lee represented a generation of drummers who hadn’t experienced handcrafted drums.” A short time later, Tommy bought a kit and a year later he became an official DW Drum endorser.
Tommy Lee is one of the most entertaining drummers in rock. His famous gravity defying drum solos, including the famous roller coaster, literally turned the drum solo on its head. Lee’s drumming helped define and power the pulsating heartbeat of Mötley Crüe, and his hard-living, rockstar persona and high-profile social life propelled him to become a pop culture, household name.
To find out more about DW, its artists, and products, visit dwdrums.com.
PDP
20th Anniversary Drum Kit Hits the Road
Tony Thaxton, drummer with Indie Rock mainstay Motion City Soundtrack, took his new PDP 20th Anniversary kit with matching snare on the band’s January 2020 reunion tour.
After a three-year break, Thaxton returned to the drum throne for their “So Long, Farewell Tour,” crisscrossing the globe one last time. Officially joining the band in 2001, he enjoyed an 11-year run that included six studio records released on Epitaph and Columbia. Thaxton was also an early supporter of the PDP brand, appearing in advertisements alongside The Rev and Brooks Wackerman. Talking about the kit he said, “I was beyond flattered to be the first artist to have the PDP 20th Anniversary kit…they’re gorgeous. The matte/shiny combo on the finish looks so great with the brushed bronze hardware…and of course, they sound incredible, but that’s no surprise!”
The All-European Maple PDP 20th Anniversary kit features a boutique-inspired, two-tone matte black lacquer paint job with gloss black center stripe. The set is outfitted with special antique bronze hardware and a host of player-friendly features including STM (Suspension Tom Mounts) True-Pitch Tuning, dual-mini turret lugs, LTD badges/logo head, and more. A matching snare is also available that includes 10-ply European maple shell, MAG throw-off, True-Pitch Tuning, 2.3mm flanged steel counter hoops, and Remo heads.
To find out more about PDP and the limited edition 20th Anniversary Kit and Snare (available only during 2020), visit pacificdrums.com.