TOP NASHVILLE ARTIST RICH REDMOND LATEST TO JOIN GON BOPS ARTIST FAMILY

17__IMG_0313Rich Redmond, top call Nashville recording drummer and percussionist, has just announced he is joining the Gon Bops family of artists. Rich’s versatile, dynamic and very musical playing style is the sound behind many of today’s top talents. Thompson Square, Jason Aldean, Bryan Adams, Jewel and Miranda Lambert are only a tiny few of the artists Rich has played with; there are dozens and dozens more. He has played on multiple number one hits, sold millions of records and made a huge mark in Nashville and beyond.

Rich has also appeared on the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Country Music Awards, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Craig Ferguson Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Good Morning America, and many other programs and networks.

“I’m really happy to be joining the GON BOPS family,” writes Redmond “It’s a legendary brand and I truly appreciate the touch and feel of these wonderful instruments. The design and craftsmanship is unmatched, in my opinion.”

“Having Rich join our GON BOPS family is fantastic,” adds GON BOPS International Sales Manager Terry Ryan. “Without a doubt, he is one of the best, and busiest, in the business. It really puts Gon Bops on some of the most prominent stages and studios in the world.”

Currently a resident of Nashville, Rich also stays busy with his CRASH course for success, the very successful motivational drum events he launched that delve into the musical, mental and business skills necessary to succeed in the music business.

ZAC BROWN BAND WELCOMES GON BOPS ARTIST DANIEL DE LOS REYES!

Zac Brown has just announced that “Uncaged”, the band’s latest album, will be released on July 10, 2012. The band has also just added percussionist Daniel de los Reyes to its line-up. Adding Reyes to the current rhythm section of bassist John Driskell Hopkins and drummer Chris Fryar allows the band to expand its sound into new territory. Daniel has performed with Earth, Wind & Fire, Sheryl Crow, Sting, Don Henley, Peter Frampton, Jennifer Lopez and many more.

“[It] creates a new kind of pulse within the band,” leader Zac told the Associated Press, noting that the band’s music is “really about making people dance.”

Zac Brown Band’s current lineup consists of singer/guitarist Zac Brown, violinist/singer Jimmy DeMartini, bassist/singer John Driskell Hopkins, guitarist/organist Coy Bowles, multi-instrumentalist/singer Clay Cook and drummer Chris Fryar.

GON BOPS PART OF EXCITING TWO-DAY DRUM EVENT!

38__DrumExpo_MPUA Two-Day Online Event For The Drum Community!

30-31 July at www.musicradar.com/event/drumexpo

On Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 July, MusicRadar, in association with Rhythm magazine, will launch Drum Expo 2013. A two-day online event unique to the music making industry, Drum Expo is the online destination for drummers this summer.

The biggest drum brands will be out in force hosting ‘virtual booths’ that feature slick video demos, lush photography and descriptions of their latest gear. Rhythm will host their own booth alongside Liberty, Roland, Yamaha, Gon Bops, Sabian, Natal, Guru, Premier, Gretsch, Echo, Gibraltar and Dream Cymbals.

And it’s not just gear that will be entertaining… The world’s brightest and most inspirational drummers will be dropping in throughout the Expo to discuss everything from showmanship to playing live to why baby wipes are just as essential to the touring drummer as sticks.

Clem Burke (Blondie), Jimmy Degrasso (David Lee Roth, Alice Cooper), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Dan Flint (You Me At Six), Jason Sutter (Slash, Marilyn Manson), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) and more will be taking part.

When it comes to tuition, Drum Expo 2013 has lots and it’s free! Highlights include Chad Smith teaching viewers their first ever drum beat, courtesy of US-based Drum Channel; Clem Burke explaining how to play Blondie’s most beloved beats; and Dan Flint from teen heartthrobs You Me At Six revealing his best drum workouts.

NICKELBACK DRUMMER DANIEL ADAIR JOINS GON BOPS ARTISTS ROSTER

DanielAdairGON BOPS has just announced that Daniel Adair, drummer for Canadian multi-platinum recording artists Nickelback, has come into their artists fold. Daniel is one of the most exciting drummers on the scene today, and besides his well-known work with Nickelback, he has also performed with major artists like Theory of a Deadman, Billy Gibbons and Lynyrd Skynyrd, to name but a few.

Although best known as a drumset player, Daniel is often called upon to provide percussion accompaniment in studio, especially his own Vault 101 recording facility. Recent recordings featuring Daniel on percussion are the Jet Black Stare album “In This Life,” and Joel Hoekstra’s “13 Acoustic Songs.”

“Joining the GON BOPS family was an easy decision for me,” writes Adair. “It’s a brand that has always been on my radar, and now that I’ve had a chance to see, touch and play the instruments, I’m truly impressed by the design and craftsmanship. I often get the call to provide percussion parts while recording, so I’m excited to get GON BOPS into my studio.”

“We’re thrilled that Daniel has joined the GON BOPS family,” adds GON BOPS International Sales Manager Terry Ryan. “Daniel is very well known in the industry, and his presence on the roster has strengthened our brand immensely.”

SLASH DRUMMER BRENT FITZ JOINS GON BOPS ARTIST ROSTER

Brent-Fitz-drummingBrent Fitz, Canadian born drummer and recording artist has just announced he is joining GON BOPS’ growing artist roster. Best known as a drummer, Brent is well known for his work with Theory of a Deadman, Alice Cooper, Vince Neil, Union, The Guess Who, Lamya, Streetheart, Harlequin, Econoline Crush, and Indigenous. He is currently the drummer for former Guns’n’Roses/Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash.

“Brent is one of the most sought after drummers working today. His resume reads like a who’s who of Rock N’ Roll! He brings a professional, no-drama vibe with him where ever he goes, and we’re honored he has joined our family”, says GON BOPS International Sales Manager Terry Ryan.

Brent got his start playing drums at a very young age and participated heavily in his middle school and high school music programs. He began formal training in music theory from the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto) as a child and continued throughout his teenage years. He’s a skilled piano player as well as a guitar player and back-up vocalist!

“I’m pretty psyched to be on the GON BOPS artist roster,” says Fitz. “I’ve already incorporated the Red Rock Bell into my set-up, and when I’m done the tour, I’ll definitely be sitting down to look at adding more GON BOPS to my rig.”

A native of Winnipeg, MB, Brent Fitz lived in LA for a number of years before moving to his current residence in Las Vegas.

GON BOPS ROCKS AT 2013 NAMM SHOW!

34__251874_499642236744267_723267582_nThe 2013 NAMM show in Anaheim was a busy one for the Gon Bops team. In addition to non-stop meetings with Gon Bops dealer and distributor partners, the booth was buzzing with activity as artists Alex Acuna, Orestes Vilato, Walter Rodriguez, Miguelito Leon, Jaz Sawyer, Bernie Dressel, Blair Sinta and others put in regular appearances, often performing on the booth. Alex Acuna and the Unknowns also delivered a blistering performance at the annual SABIAN Live show on Friday night.

The brand new Gon Bops Orestes Vilato Signature Timbales were a hit on the booth with customers and artists alike. These new instruments feature a shallow 4″ pan design, aluminum construction and a lightweight stand. The cascara is warm — and loud.

NEW FOR 2013: ORESTES VILATO SIGNATURE TIMBALE

VTB1415 Orestes Vilato Signature TimbaleGon Bops is pleased to announce the release of a strikingly unique and innovative Timbale set designed with legendary Timbalero Orestes Vilato. Available as a 14”/15” set with stand, these beautiful instruments are the culmination of years of work by Vilato and Gon Bops.

“There were a number of objectives I wanted to achieve with this Timbale, primarily weight, sound and look.” comments Vilato, “First, I wanted to design a lighter instrument, which I believe is important to working musicians who must transport their own instruments.”

The lightness is achieved primarily by manufacturing shells from aluminum, and by utilizing a shallow pan design; both features are exclusive to Gon Bops among major percussion manufacturers. But the aluminum shells provide more than lightness, they also deliver warm cascara and plenty of volume.

“The original timbales played by slaves in Cuba were often made from cooking pails, thus the name, ‘Paila’ which literally means ‘pail,’” says Vilato. “The Timbale derives from the Timpani, and came about as an attempt to make the Timpani smaller and more portable. In a sense, these new Timbales are a modern extension of that goal as we strive for lighter, shallower Timbales that sound very traditional.”

“The shallow pan design is important to Orestes’ style of playing. He likes to play under the Timbale to widen his palette of sound and for the spectacle as well,” says Gon Bops head of manufacturing John Teague. “The shorter pan makes this easier to accomplish and also lends the instrument a quicker response.”

Perhaps the most important objective in designing the new signature Timbale was building an instrument with classical Timbale sound.

“Timbale technique did not develop from drum rudiments, it came from Timpani technique,” says Vilato. “Today you most often see drumset guys playing Timbale, using much heavier drumsticks, and playing with a speed and volume that is simply not part of the tradition. To me, it doesn’t even sound like Timbale. Classical Timbale technique is simple and clean, it involves single sticking, not rolls, and the sticks used were very light, probably made from the wood from a Guava tree. This gives you that sharp, whip-like Timbale sound, something we very much wanted to achieve with this instrument.”

ALEX ACUNA TO PERFORM AT MUSIK MESSE

USA - Music - Alex Acuna Performs at NAMMWe are pleased to announce that legendary percussionist and drummer ALEX ACUNA will be performing with SABIAN Cymbals and GON BOPS Percussion at the Agora Stage on Saturday, April 13th from 4.00 to 4.30pm.

Alex’s accomplishments and the impressive list of artists he has performed and recorded with are nothing short of breathtaking. U2, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Sergio Mendes, Chick Corea, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock and Tito Puente are just a few names from a very long list that also includes Elvis Presley and Diana Ross.

Alex is perhaps best known for his work with legendary jazz-fusion band Weather Report and played on the ground-breaking albums “Black Market” and “Heavy Weather”.

Der Legendäre Percussionist und Schlagzeuger ALEX ACUNA führt in einer Soloperformance am Samstag, 13. April, von 16h — 16.30h. auf der Agora Stage SABIAN Becken und Gon Bops Percussion Instrumente vor.

Die Liste von Künstlern mit denen ALEX ACUNA zusammengearbeitet hat macht Sprachlos. U2, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Sergio Mendes, Chick Corea, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock and Tito Puente um nur einige zu nennen.

Außerdem hat er mit Elvis Presley und Diana Ross gespielt. 1975 trat er der Legendären Jazz-Fusion Band „Weather Report“ bei und spielte auf den bekannten Alben: „Black Market“ und „Heavy Weather“.

PHIL MATURANO LAUNCHES INNER CLOCK 2!

Phil M WebsiteGon Bops endorser Phil Maturano has recently announced the launch of his highly-anticipated Inner Clock 2. An interactive play-along method that includes tunes, charts, insight, interviews, and much more, it’s the follow-up to his successful Hal Leonard release Inner Clock 1.

The Inner Clock method was conceived by Phil circa 1995 at P.I.T in LA. While teaching Big Band and Ensemble Technique, Phil noticed a huge gap in his students’ abilities to turn charts into music. While many were good readers, they couldn’t make the jump from the page to the heart!

As a result, Phil compiled sequenced parts of the musical phrases that gave them the most trouble. As a result, his students could now play over them and read the figures as many times as needed.

“Well, my little sequenced parts were a hit and soon all my students started asking for them,” comments Maturano.

In time, Phil zeroed in and discovered it wasn’t so much the reading as it was a lack of experience with subdivisions and phrases. Internalizing rhythmic figures and interpreting them meant returning to the basic principles of music.

And so, with the collaboration of a number of very generous musicians and friends, the Inner Clock method was born. His first book “Working the Inner Clock” (Hal Leonard) is used in drum schools and conservatories worldwide. The book is loved by all drummers who work with it and has proven to be a most effective tool in many areas of drumming.

For more information, and to sign up for 4 free IC2 video lessons, please visit philmaturanolessons.com.

PEARL JAPAN NAMED EXCLUSIVE GON BOPS DISTRIBUTOR IN JAPAN

Gon Bops is pleased to announce the appointment of Pearl Japan as its exclusive distributor in Japan.

“In Japan, we need a distribution partner with the infrastructure and resources to maximize each and every business every opportunity — with Pearl we now have that partner,” comments Gon Bops International Sales Manager Terry Ryan.

In addition to Pearl drums and percussion, Pearl Japan carries a number of other premium brands such as Remo, Vic Firth, Hughes & Kettner and more.

For more information, please contact www.musicgw.com.