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Crafter’s VP and GM Joe Arias (l) with Jim Greene, president of Music World
Crafter Crafts New Program
Crafter USA launched its Crafter Premium Stocking Program. The
first dealer to sign on to the program was Music World of Colonial
Heights, Va. “We have taken our top sellers and combined them with
a variety of sales support mechanisms and incentives that will create a
positive sell-through environment for the independent retailers,” said
Joe Arias, vice president and general manager for Crafter USA.
Focusrite Forms U.S. Subsidiary
Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd., the U.K. manufacturer of Focusrite
and Novation brands, has formed Focusrite Novation Inc., which
establishes a dedicated American presence for the U.K. company. Phil
Wagner, who held a similar position as president of Solid State Logic,
Inc., will head the new company. Focusrite Novation will concentrate
on growing Focusrite and Novation’s expanding product slate with the
addition of sales management, marketing and field training staff. The
U.S. operation will be located in Los Angeles, Calif.
Phil Dudderidge, Focusrite managing director, stated, “We want to
increase the recognition of and support for the Focusrite and Novation
brands in the vital U.S. market. Creating Focusrite Novation Inc.
enables us to enhance our presence with increased levels of dealer
support and various forthcoming marketing initiatives.”
Focusrite Novation Inc. will continue to work in partnership with its
U.S. distributor, American Music and Sound Inc., specifically its newly
established Music Creation Division. This division concentrates on
Focusrite, Novation and four other brands that will be managed regionally
by a new team of sales managers. AM&S’ team will provide field
sales support, sales administration and logistics capabilities.
In Memoriam: Charlie Wicks
Charlie Wicks, founder, owner and CEO of Pro Co Sound, Inc.,
died on March 11, 2010, due to complications related to his battle
with cancer. Wicks, 65, was a prominent member of the audio
industry. He formed Pro Co in the early 1970s to manufacture PA
speakers and shifted to manufacturing cables and interconnect
products in 1974. From that starting point, he led the company over
the next four decades to become a global presence in the audio
industry. He was known affectionately throughout the audio industry
by his non-traditional and self-proclaimed title of “The Captain of the
Universe.”
In recent years, his health became an impediment to his direct
involvement in the business. Debbe Stephenson, friend and president
of Pro Co, stated, “While our hope has always been that Charlie
would return healthy and able to run the company he loved so dearly
and put so much of himself into, he will remain in our hearts as we
continue to carry on his dream.”
He leaves behind his wife, Willie, and son, John. He was predeceased
by his son, Stacey.
Store Owner Shoots Robber
Allied Music of Ohio co-Owner Eric Bilger on March 12 shot a suspect
allegedly attempting to rob the store. According to Sgt. Phil Toney of the
Toledo Police Department, suspect Steve James entered the store looking
to obtain a job. James left but returned a few minutes later and allegedly
held a gun to the store clerk’s head. James then led the clerk into a back
room. The clerk yelled, “I need help!” and Bilger appeared with a gun.
Gunfire ensued. James was the only one shot. He was struck in the body
and hand. The suspect then fled the store and collapsed in a nearby Burger
King parking lot. He was transported to a hospital and James was issued an
aggravated robbery warrant. James was listed in serious condition.
Co-Owner Mark Bilger told the Toledo Blade the store has been robbed
three times since last summer. He was thankful his brother was safe.
Otamatone Creates A Buzz
A Japanese musical instrument is the talk of the Internet and is
being featured in myriad viral videos. Billed as “the world’s cutest
and weirdest musical instrument,” it is the Otamatone. Invented by
Novmichi Tosa for Maywa Denki, the Otamatone is a toy suitable for
kids or an addition to any musician’s collection of unique instruments.
To play the Otamatone, a user places his fingers along the length of
the stem. As he moves his fingers along the Otamatone’s surface, the
pitch and tone of the note changes. If he moves his fingers down the
stem, it raises the pitch; sliding them back up lowers it.
The user can also squeeze the “head” of the Otamatone, which
creates the illusion that the Otamatone is singing. Squeezing the head
changes the tone of the note being played, as well. The sound and playing
style used to experiment with the Otamatone has drawn comparisons
to the Theremin, another type of musical instrument.
The Otamatone is intended to look like a single musical note. The
instrument comes in two colors: black (which resembles an eighth
note) and white.
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