West Music's John Feldman and Nate Ersig with Reunion Blues' rep Jay Lewallen - Photo Credit: Music Inc. Magazine

Business sessions with titles like “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Instrument Rental Programs”, “Future Trends in Retailing”, “Changing Technology and Your Business” and “Saving Music From the Chopping Block-Politics” helped conference attendees stay at the forefront of critical issues.  Events like the Road Rep Olympics (including an Obstacle Course, Van Schlepping and Loading and Equipment Repair) and the Golf Tournament ensured that everyone had a rollicking good time. Throw in a few cocktail parties and poolside receptions and you’ve got the perfectly complete conference. Madeleine Crouch with NASMD has to be the hardest working, nicest event organizer in the world. She was everywhere and did everything.

Equipment Repair winner Chris Behrens from Summerhays Music stands atop his RocknRoller Multicart first prize while Madeleine Crouch looks on. - Photo Credit: Music Inc.

A Road Rep Olympics contestant navigates the dreaded NASMD obstacle course! - Photo Credit: Music Inc. Magazine

One of the highlights was “Rep-Ardy”, a take off on the Jeopardy game. Hosted by George Quinlan “Trebek” of Quinlan and Fabish with industry leaders as participants, this event tested industry knowledge amidst much laughter and good sportsmanship. The panelists were Steve West of West Music, Jim Kidder of Kidder Music, Bill Harvey of Buddy Rogers Music, Roger White of White House of Music and Scott Summerhays of Summerhays Music. Everyone who witnessed the game was a winner.

George Quinlan, dressed in his Alex Trebek costume, congratulates Rep-Ardy winner Jim Kidder - Photo Credit: Music Trades Magazine

NASMD Professional Standards are:
• To Help Teachers Develop Successful School Music Programs
• Help Parents Support Their Child’s Active Participation in School Music Programs
• Help Students Enjoy the Benefits of Making Music in their School

Based on the Professional Standards listed above, NASMD is doing a great job. It is becoming widely known that students who participate in music programs score higher on tests, develop higher IQs and build social skills and lifelong self-motivation. Much of this can be attributed to NASMD dealers who work closely with schools and band directors to keep the music programs marching onward and upward.

The final evening festivities included Grayson and Kristina Zeagler of Zeagler Music passing the plaque to new NASMD President Joel Menchey of Menchey Music. - Photo Credit: Music Trades Magazine

Laurence Juber, now and then!

He has his own Laurence Juber signature model C.F. Martin Acoustic guitar OMC-LJ. He is a world renowned fingerpicking expert, composer, arranger and all around guitar virtuoso.  He composed and performed music for Ken Burn’s follow up baseball documentary film The Tenth Inning.  And he has recently completed LJ Plays The Beatles Vol. 2. These are just a few of his achievements and accomplishments in a hugely successful career.

And who does Laurence turn to for gig bags and cases for his prized guitars? Reunion Blues, of course! When I asked him about his squadron of Reunion Blues gig bags, he commented:

“I am indeed well-equipped with your bags, with my first purchased at Manny’s Music on 48th St in NYC in 1978.”

The Juber Squadron

Laurence sent us this photo of his Reunion Blues gig bags and cases titled: En Route to a Session (I bet that was one heck of a session!  He added:

“As a traveling musician, I appreciate the value of a well-designed and functional gig bag. There are certainly some competitive alternative products in the marketplace, but none have the consistency of style, ‘fit’ and ‘finish’ that I associate with Reunion Blues.”

When asked about traveling with his guitars, he offered this comment which may be even more impressive than our famous drop test from the top of a 3-story building:

“I’ve been happy with the Reunion Blues Continental for my Les Paul and have checked it as baggage with no concerns.”

Laurence was one of the first people we showed our new RB prototypes to at the 2011 NAMM show. Here is what he had to say:

“The suede finish prototype bag at NAMM was cool – I particularly liked the zippered flap over the outside pocket.”

We are obviously thrilled to have Laurence as an official Reunion Blues artist endorser. To learn more about one of the most exciting guitar players of our time, just go to laurencejuber.com. Enjoy with amazement!

Everywhere I went the mood was upbeat, the energy level high and the reaction to new products was enthusiastic. I believe this is a very good indicator, not only for the musical instrument and accessories business, but for the whole economy. Most dealers had a good holiday season and want to keep the momentum going. Regardless of their musical tastes, most attendees were ready to “Rock On!” into the new year.

The Reunion Blues Continental cases were a smashing success. Both the existing models and the new prototypes created a big buzz. The expanded Band & Orchestra line including Cornet, Flugelhorn, Trombone (coming soon) and Euphonium cases will help our dealers fill a demand gap. The Violin, Banjo, Mandolin and Ukulele cases will also be very popular with the string players when they are available in a couple of months.

In the Kaces and Strukture booth, the Puck 3” drum practice pad had everyone testing their accuracy with the sticks and the new Strukture lightweight aluminum keyboard stands were lifted more than a newborn baby.
My favorite non-Ace product was the ZT Lunchbox amp. As a guitar player who is not getting any younger, I’m always looking for less weight and more portability. And they had a pretty kicking sound too. The ZT amp might be on next year’s wish list for under the holiday tree.

And, as a first timer, I have to mention a few celebrity sightings. Stevie Wonder stopped the traffic as he walked through and Glen Campbell seemed to be the nicest guy in the world as several people wanted to shake his hand…and, of course, he obliged. Even Fifi Larue added some excitement as he is still out there trying to make the big time as a heavy metal clown. You may laugh but you gotta respect his persistence. Laurence Juber of Paul McCartney and Wings fame, and more recently as a guitar fingerpicking expert, stopped in the Reunion Blues booth to express love for his 5 (count ‘em 5!) Reunion Blues gig bags and his desire for one of the new prototypes.
And the southern California weather in January was really nice too! Can’t wait ’til next year!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPB2zHFKmD4

Stay tuned for more from the NAMM show floor.

Vette Covered

RBCorvette@NAMM.CC

You might remember how, back in 2006, the international news was burning up about Alan Poster being reunited with his 1968 Stingray, 37 years after it disappeared.

Alan had been going through a rough time that winter. A Brooklyn native and a 26-year-old guitar salesman, he had just divorced and moved from Queens to a 21st Street studio in Chelsea. He bought himself a flashy treat that he could barely afford but could not resist: a blue ’68 Vette.

He had owned it for only two or three months when it was stolen from a parking garage on 23rd Street. It was Jan. 22, 1969.

In December 2005, Mr. Poster got a call that it had been recovered, just days before it was supposed to be shipped to a buyer in Sweden. The car was flagged during a routine check of the vehicle ID by California Homeland Security and US Customs, sending two New York detectives on a long-shot search through thousands of crime reports to connect the car to its first owner.

Alan was reunited with his Corvette in January of 2006, during a news conference in Carson, CA, that made worldwide distribution. The original “International Blue” exterior had been painted silver, the original blue interior was red, the gas tank was missing and the engine had been replaced. Inexplicably, it had no transmission but the body was still close to mint condition.

Dubbed the “Reunion Blue” and arguably the world’s best known Corvette, Alan spent the next three years bringing the hot-rod back to like-new condition, including the original blue-on-blue color scheme.

Coincidently, the company Alan owns today is called Reunion Blues, a prestigious high-end musical instrument case and leather bag line that is considered to be the best among serious musicians. Alan had just acquired the Reunion Blues company when he was reunited with his blue Corvette… a twist of fate he does not take lightly. “Coincidence?” he said, “Perhaps.”

Alan and the whole Reunion Blues crew will be showcasing new products along with this legendary Stingray in the Reunion Blues exhibit 5968 at the NAMM (International Music Products Association) convention in Anaheim, CA, a four-day, 85,000 attendee conference starting January 15, 2010.

RBC-We Accept.3

Earlier this year, Reunion Blues released a high-altitude “stress test” video on You Tube, tossing their new RB Continental case off a three-story building with a Strat-style guitar inside. After two throws, the instrument emerged unscathed. In an unexpected twist, the video drew numerous comments from doubting guitarists who dared Reunion Blues to try it with a tilt-back headstock guitar.

“We didn’t think much of these comments at first”, said Reunion Blues’ Alan Poster, “but they kept coming in until, after passing tens of thousands of views, we decided to accept the challenge.”

According to John Maher, Reunion Blues marketing director, many three-on-a-side tilt-back headstocks are actually glued to the neck at an angle, creating the potential for the peghead to snap off at this junction when hit hard. “So, in an attempt to satisfy the skeptics, we decided to get our hands on a tilt-back designed guitar and do it all over again.” Maher added.

The first RB Continental drop test video can be seen by clicking on www.rbcontinental.com. Stay tuned for the results from the second toss.