#215 Joel Tetzlaff & Troy Wollwage- Yamaha Drums and Percussion Marketing Team!
This episode is sponsored by Dream Cymbals. They just released some new products for NAMM 2021.
This week’s guest’s are Joel Tetzlaff and Troy Wollwage from Yamaha Drums.
Joel has twenty-one years of marketing experience with Yamaha, the largest instrument manufacturer in the world. Providing depth of knowledge with a wide diversity of people, situations and business factors with an extensive background in creative development, customer engagement, promotion process, sales and dealer support.
Troy has spent the last 17 years with Yamaha Corporation of America, the largest musical instrument manufacturer in the world, providing a breadth and depth of experience in strategic planning and product development. Troy holds an MBA from the Boston University Questrom School of Business and a BS in Business Administration from the USC Marshall School of Business. At Yamaha, Troy leads the Educational Percussion instrument marketing and product team.
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday to friend of the show Dani Markham.
Also, Happy birthday to Vinnie Colaiuta.
You can check out Vinnie’s Podcast called, “Breakfast with Vinnie”.
Gig Alerts
The Superbowl happened and shout-out to Rickey Lewis, drummer for the weekend. He values the insight of friend of the show, Brian Frasier-Moore (who has played the Superbowl numerous times).
Shout-out to friend of the show, Robert Marino, who escorted the colors out for the National Anthem. The National Anthem (performed by Eric Church and Jazzmine Sullivan was arranged by Adam Blackstone (with Brian Frasier-Moore on drums).
The Weeknd didn’t just play the Super Bowl LV Halftime Show for free on Sunday night — he spent millions of his own money on the elaborate set.
Several years ago, Digital Music News stumbled on a startling reality for Super Bowl Halftime performers. Despite their superstar status, the NFL doesn’t pay the artists who dazzle the stage in front of millions of viewers. Outside of an estimated $10 million production budget and related costs, the artist always plays the Super Bowl for free.
The NFL hasn’t been shy about this arrangement — and the biggest artists in the world happily accept it. “We’re putting someone up there for 12 and a half minutes in front of the largest audience that any television program garners in the United States,” an NFL executive once said. “It’s a pretty good deal. It’s the famous win-win for both parties.” -Article
Live music is returning to New Orleans, but with heavy restrictions in place for COVID-19 guidelines. The new guidelines for New Orleans limit audiences to ten people inside, 25 outside. That’s with no singing or dancing, and all patrons must be seated and masked. No singers or wind-blown instruments can be used inside. Any violations of these guidelines can result in venue permits being revoked.
But many venue owners complain that the restrictions make it impossible to turn a profit. “It’s not really feasible because a lot of times, the type of gigs that we have, they’re based on the number of people that you bring in, so the math of it doesn’t work,” says Keith Frazier of the Rebirth Brass Band. “25 people at $20? it’s not going to really pay a whole lot of money or even that venue or a person, putting on the event.” -Article
Educational Spotlights
The 42nd annual LHS Summer Marimba Seminar will take place June 1-11, 2021. Percussionists college-aged and older are invited to join us for 10 days of study with marimba virtuoso and pioneer Leigh Howard Stevens. The LHS Seminar will cover a wide variety of topics, including: technique, memorization systems, tone production, repertoire, acoustics, practice techniques, career development, history, and more! -More Info
Up to FOUR $500 scholarships will be awarded to provide individuals the opportunity to take a few lessons with a drummer of their choice either via online or in person.
Eligibility: The scholarship is open to all active PAS Members.
Application Materials: All applicants must submit a video of no more than 5 minutes and a statement of why this award would be important to their development.
If you have any questions, please reach out by emailing percarts@pas.org.
DEADLINE TO APPLY IS APRIL 30, 2021
Application will open on March 1, 2021
Product Reviews
Drum Day LA is back for 2021, with all the most exciting new products from your favorite drum and percussion brands. Killer new drums from DW and Gretsch, breakthrough percussion from LP and astounding value in drums and hardware from PDP. Do not miss this festival of drums and percussion. NO PASS REQUIRED. See it all on DW’s YouTube Page.
Shout-out to (friend of the show) Lenny Castro, who has new signature series congas and bongos with Gon Bops.
Iconic Recording
This week’s iconic recording is “Heavy Love Affair” by Marvin Gaye. The extended John Morales Mix.
Some of the personnel includes: Frank Blair -Bass, Elmira Collins -Vibes, Joe James – Percussion, Gary Jones – Percussion, Conga and Preston Bugsy Wilcox – Drums. You can read more HERE.
This is the Spotify playlist Damon mentions of iconic pop percussion tracks.
Music News
In a quiet, unsuspecting office in Valley Village, California, the year-round staff of 65 people at the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund diligently processes more than $60 million annually in artist and musician royalties.
And they’re dying to send you a check.
Despite the name, the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund isn’t a union, and there’s no membership requirement. Although the organization was originally created by two unions — as the name certainly suggests — they’re the furthest thing from a closed-member club. Instead, it’s wide open to any musician or performer owed royalties, plain-and-simple. -Article
Here’s the website to see if you have unclaimed money: CLICK HERE TO GET PAID.
Morgan Wallen Loses Everything Following Racial Slur — Removed From Spotify, Apple Music Playlists, ‘Suspended Indefinitely’ by UMG Label Big Loud/Republic, Dropped by Major Radio Stations. -Article
After Getting Canceled by Every Major Radio Station and Streaming Service In America, Morgan Wallen’s Album Sales Explode. -Article
Country Radio Stations Are Quietly Planning to Reinstate Morgan Wallen — “We’re Losing Core Listeners” -Article
Ice Cube confirmed the possible meeting during an interview with Ryan Cameron on MAJIC 107.9. “Yesterday, they reached out to me,” Ice Cube confirmed, referring to the Biden administration. While no meeting is set in stone yet, things appear to be set in motion. -Article
The National Museum of African American Music features many galleries, dating back to the 1600s. You can view Louis Armstrong’s trumpet or see Ella Fitzgerald’s Grammy Award. Several artifacts highlight the rich and diverse history of black music in the United States. -Article
Troy and Joel Interview
The song leading into the interview is “Inside Out” by Phil Collins from the ‘No Jacket Required’ album.
Damon first met Joel when he was a member of the Madison Scouts Drumline.
Troy was a member of the USC Marching Band as well, but graduated with a business degree. From playing in a theme park in Japan to starting at Yamaha in 2003, till now.
Joel had a music theory teacher that helped him and introduced him to other music business opportunites, like the internship he participated in at Yamaha in 1997.
Joel talks about how the different facets of Yamaha help each other out in the R&D process.
Troy talks about how the Acoustalon tone bars came to fruition from skis and a bow and arrow.
Yamaha was founded after Torakusu Yamaha successfully repaired a reed organ at the request of an elementary school in Hamamatsu. This organ is thought to be the oldest in existence. The crane and cloud-like geometric figures on the front of the instrument are painted in gold.
Joel mentions that the story of Yamaha and Mr. Yamaha is on YouTube. You can watch it below.
He gives the meaning behind the three tuning forks in the emblem. They stand for: rhythm, harmony and melody.
Troy points out that there is a museum in Japan you can visit called Innovation Road.
Most of Yamaha's drums are manufactured at two different locations in Asia. Their factory in Osaka produces their high-end professional drums as well as all of their marching percussion. The research and development of new products also takes place there. Marketing is managed from the Yamaha Corp. headquarters in Hamamatsu. The factory in China produced the entry-level GigMaker kit and the intermediate-kit Stage Custom Birch. Their factory in Indonesia produces the Tour Custom and the newly introduced Rock Tour series drums. The Indonesian factory uses the same machinery and techniques in their drum shells and all of the craftsmen working there are trained by Japanese craftsmen from the Osaka site. The only difference between these two plants is that the Osaka plant uses the more exclusive woods (maple, birch and oak).
You can check out some behind the scenes at the factory HERE and below.
Joel talks about the standard of making sure the workers are taken care of properly no matter which factory they work in. “A happy worker makes a much better product!”
Here’s a video on some of the things the typical drum corps front ensemble has to do (and what their instruments have to deal with)
Joel talks about the importance of relationships with the instrument players, designers, educators and more!
Joel explains the DTX kits and the DTX pad.
Then he goes into detail explaining the EAD 10 system. Here’s an overview video.
Joel also talks about the talk back function and footswitch.
Joel even explains the Rec’nShare app that works with the EAD 10 setup.
Joel touches on the subkick bass drum microphone. It has been discontinued, but you might be able to find a used one.
Damon talks about the Yamaha Stage takeover at the NAMM convention.
Damon brings up endorsements. He talks about how being knowledgeable about what you’re playing helps both you and the company you endorse. Joel and Troy talk about the relationship aspect. They all talk about the importance of liking what it is you’re endorsing.
The internship program is linked above at the beginning of the interview. Other job opportunities can be found by CLICKING HERE.
The song leading out of the interview is “What is Hip” by Tower of Power.
