WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA, September 3, 2009 — Guitar Center Professional (GC Pro), the outside sales division of Guitar Center that focuses on the needs of professional users, held gala barbecue events at five GC Pro locations throughout the Southeastern United States on Wednesday, August 26, 2009. The events, a way for GC Pro to give back to its loyal customer base, offered free catered barbecue, live entertainment, a selection of prizes, and giveaways/exclusive deals on pro audio gear for recording, live sound and more.

The events were held at Guitar Center Professional locations in New Orleans, Louisiana; Hallandale, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Towson, Maryland; and Nashville, Tennessee. GC Pro Account Managers and store employees were joined by a wide sampling of the music and audio communities of the regions, including studio owners, musicians, engineers, producers, students more

MELVILLE, NY, September 3, 2009 — The multi-talented Lily Allen is well on her way to becoming a household name. She has appeared in movies, hosted her own BBC television series and created a line of fashion products – all in addition to her burgeoning musical career. After her smash debut Allright, Still (Regal/EMI, 2006), Allen followed up with the acclaimed It’s Not Me, It’s You (Regal/EMI, 2009). She also co-wrote the material for both discs. It’s Not Me entered the U.S. charts at number five, and has already been certified a platinum seller in the U.K. This month, Allen takes her live show from the U.K. to South America and Europe.

In the midst of all this high-profile activity, Lily Allen was able to get her hands on a limited edition pink version of the portable, pocket-sized Korg KAOSSILATOR Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer. more

ATLANTA, GA — Auralex Acoustics, Inc., is pleased to announce Karen Richardson as its new Director of Sales. Richardson, an industry veteran, has extensive experience in multiple sales channels. Richardson will lead Auralex in expanding the company’s presence in the CEDIA market as well as maintaining its position as the leader in sound control in the pro audio, MI and commercial installation markets. She will be in attendance at this year’s CEDIA show (Booth 1317).

Richardson’s broad experience includes the position of National Sales Manager for Home Theater products for Genelec OY, VP of Consumer Sales for Bryston and Accounts Specialist for Parasound Products. Just prior to joining Auralex, Richardson held the position of President of the ASL Group, a distributor of upscale home audio brands, where her responsibilities included expanding ASL’s dealer base into the custom install channel. more

Huntley, IL – September 2009… As an after-school theater arts education program for kids ages 6-18, the Chicago, IL-based Christian Youth Theater (CYT) offers students an opportunity to develop their talents, interact with friends, and learn to be a positive member of their community. The organization recently sponsored performances of West Side Story, the highly acclaimed musical based on the book by Arthur Laurents, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Featuring an “all star� cast comprised of the top talent drawn from the area’s various schools, the musical’s creative staff sought the best possible sound for their production, which ultimately led to the inclusion of wireless technology from Lectrosonics. more

Andover, MA––Fishman Amplification is now shipping the Aura Spectrum DI instrument preamp/direct box.

The Aura Spectrum DI combines a high quality direct box with award-winning Aura Acoustic Imaging technology that restores the pristine sound of a studio-miked instrument to undersaddle and soundhole pickups.

It features 128 pre-loaded Images of the most popular acoustic instruments; a 3-band EQ; built-in chromatic tuner with bypass/mute, one-knob compressor, volume, blend and image controls, automatic feedback suppression with up to three notches, an effects loop, a high-quality balanced XLR DI and wealth of other practical user features. It also ships with Aura Image Gallery III software’s ever-expanding library of over 700 studio-recorded acoustic images.

Commenting on the launch, Scott Lombardo, Vice President of Retail Sales said, “The Aura Spectrum DI is the perfect marriage of a Fishman-quality DI and our Aura Acoustic Imaging technology. Fishman dealers more

Record Exec Steve Kravac Oversees Prep for Premium Vinyl Release

Pictured at Bernie Grundman Mastering are (L-R) Porterhouse Records president Steve Kravac, “X” co-founder John Doe, and mastering engineer Brian “Big Bass” Gardner. Photo by David Goggin.
John Doe of the proto-punk group “X” joined Porterhouse Records president Steve Kravac and mastering engineer Brian “Big Bass” Gardner for the re-mastering of 1981′s “Wild Gift” at Bernie Grundman Mastering. The album was praised by Rolling Stone magazine as “the finest American punk album ever.” “Wild Gift” has long been considered one of the most significant recordings of its time and stands as a testament to the originality and creativity of the Los Angeles quartet.

X was formed in 1977 after songwriter and bassist John Doe met (and later married) Exene Cervenka at a poetry workshop with rockabilly guitarist Billy Zoom and more