MS Retailer August 15, 2007 - Vol.24 No.8 - Music & Sound Retailer

DEALERCleveland Rocks LI Drum Center Turns 30When Miss Connecticut 2006Heidi Voight needed a sixstringacoustic guitar, shelooked to New London, Conn.,retailer Caruso Music. Voightmet with the staff and chose aYamaha APX-700 to perform forveterans and, though not thestore’s typical practice, Carusosales manager John Van Ness(pictured with Voight) loaned herthe instrument.Drummer Les Cleveland madean appearance at Pecknell Music inGreenville, S.C., in a clinic co-sponsoredby Sabian and Vater. TheSouth Carolina native demonstrateda variety of styles and practice techniquesalong with his band—guitaristCharles Hedgepath, keyboardist RicoTyler, and Shannon Hoover on bass.“This was the best clinic we’vedone in years,” said Pecknel’s president,Scott Peck. “Les and his bandreally kept the crowd going; and asan added plus, we sold a good bit ofpercussion equipment that night—kept the registers open long after thestore had closed.”(l-r) Long Island Drum Center founder Jerry Ricci, owner Dennis Ricci, andJoe Hibbs of Mapex Drums pose with the commemorative Black Panthersnare drum.Long Island Drum Center’s Plainview, N.Y. location celebrated its30th anniversary with a special ceremony held in honor of foundingowner Jerry Ricci. Mapex A&R manager Joe Hibbs was on hand topresent current owner, and founder’s brother, Dennis Ricci, with a oneof-a-kindcommemorative Black Panther snare drum, complete withvintage photos of the Ricci brothers. The event also featured musicalperformances by Andy Passaretti, the Matt Miller Jazz Trio, The LongIsland Sound Drum and Bugle Corps, and Approaching Storm MarchingBands.Sierra Raffled at Blue RockBlue Rock Guitars of Perry,Iowa, celebrated its third anniversaryin May and to mark theoccasion, Sierra Guitars donated aSequoia acoustic guitar to be raffledoff. Raffle entries were givento everyone who brought cannedfood or dry goods to the store forPerry Food Pantry, Blue Rock’scharity partner for the past threeyears. The guitar was awarded toKim Wright, whose son takes lessonsat the store.(l-r) Steve Parnell, co-owner, BlueRock Guitars; contest winner KimWright; and Kim Jackson, co-owner,Blue Rock GuitarsLittleDrummerBoysDave WecklThomas LangGive ‘Em the SkipknotMick “Seven” Thomson, a formerguitar teacher who now plays theinstrument with metal band Slipknot,appeared at Daddy’s Junky Musicin a three-clinic series sponsored byIbanez, Planet Waves, Line 6, andD’Addario. This was Thomson’s firstclinic appearance at Daddy’s. Heplayed his signature Ibanez MTM1and discussed his playing style,Slipknot’s song-writing and recordingprocesses, and what it’s like to tour.Mick Thomson at thePortland, Maine store.Milwaukee retailer Cascio Interstate Music recently held clinics withThomas Lang and Dave Weckl.Drummer Lang played a two-hour set on his Roland V-Drums that includedsongs from his latest album and free-form solo demonstrations.He answered audience questions, took photos, signed autoraphs, andgave a technical tour of what the V-Drums have to offer. He was joinedby Roland clinician Mike Snyder and attendees were treated to on-siteconsultations from Roland and Cascio’s employees.Hundreds of Weckl fans were treated to a clinic and performance thatCascio described as “mixing jams to pre-recorded tracks with free associationdrumming displays.” Following his performance, Weckl signedautographs and posed for photos with attendees. Industry representativesfrom Yamaha Drums, Sabian, and Shure were at the event to talkwith attendees and give away prizes throughout the evening.10 AUGUST 2007