BUENA PARK, Calif. — Yamaha Corporation of America announces that it has acquired the intellectual property rights to the legendary Rogers Drum Company at auction. The move followed the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of Brook Mays Music Company on July 11.

Yamaha executives with Rogers drum kit. L to R: Tom Sumner, vice president/general manager, Yamaha Pro Audio & Combo Division; Yoshi Doi, president, Yamaha Corporation of America; Terry Lewis, senior vice president, Music Marketing Group, Yamaha Corporation of America.

Rogers, founded in 1849, boasts a rich heritage of manufacturing excellence and holds a reputation as one of the most innovative lines of drums ever sold. The Dyna-Sonic snare drum, the company's centerpiece, is prized by collectors and players. The Swiv-O-Matic foot pedal led to the creation of flexible hardware for cymbals and tom-toms that set the standard for durability and ease of use, while the company's memory lock system has been adapted by almost every other manufacturer. Past endorsers included drumming legends Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson and Ed Shaughnessy.

"Opportunities to acquire a well-respected brand that is so treasured by players do not come along everyday," said Tom Sumner, vice president and general manager, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Yamaha Corporation of America. "We will use our expertise to improve on the Rogers legacy."

Under the Brook Mays umbrella, distribution was limited, though Yamaha plans to make Rogers products available to its drum dealers nationwide.

The acquisition fits into Yamaha's expansion plan to provide high-quality, complementary products with a wider reach across the country, an initiative that includes the recent acquisition of Steinberg Media Technologies and distribution agreements with digital music equipment manufacturer CME^®, software company Arturia, cymbal manufacturer Paiste and speaker/line array manufacturer NEXO.

"We are confident that we will extend the reach of the Rogers brand, which is remembered and respected by drummers around the world," said Sumner. "Our distribution network is perfectly suited to accomplish this expansion."

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Drum Products, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; email infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamahadrums.com.

About Yamaha:
Yamaha Corporation of America manufactures a complete line of musical instruments, professional audio products, customer-driven support products and computer-based products targeted to both the amateur and professional markets