Yamaha Artist Services, Los Angeles

Greg Crane - Manager of Artist Relations

AR Responsibilities:

• Acoustic and Electric Drums

Other areas of responsibility:

• Artist Marketing
• Artist Tour Support
• Artist Clinic Support
• New Artist Development
• Product Research and Development with artists

For over forty years, Yamaha Drums has received accolades from critics worldwide and, most importantly, from players in all musical genres. The Yamaha logo guarantees sonic excellence, design savvy, and rugged durability. Because of the pristine product, many drummers are drawn to Yamaha, but the personal family feeling sustains artist loyalty. The truth is that the Yamaha family is the envy of the drum business. Most Yamaha Artists have spent their entire career playing nothing but Yamaha drums. This speaks volumes about the product: It is a matter of mutual respect between the manufacturer and the artist. Indeed, many artists feel it is a privilege to play Yamaha. More importantly, Yamaha feels it is an honor that drummers willingly choose and trust Yamaha as their musical voice.

Yamaha designs and handcrafts drums expressly for drummers. It often calls upon its roster of top drum artists to help shape and fine-tune the product. The result is a drum company with an amazing product that embodies living and breathing artist input worldwide. When Artists sign with Yamaha, they become a part of an elite roster. Yamaha Drums' mission is to enhance natural talent with the best product and consistent support. Our mission rings true if our artists feel they have a meaningful voice in our family.

We receive many applications for endorsements daily, and we find that, in most cases, the applicants do not understand why a drum company endorses an artist. Before you complete the endorsement application, we would like to explain why Yamaha Drums signed an artist to our roster. This may help you begin to understand the philosophy behind Yamaha Drums. After all, if you seek an endorsement with us, you should know what we are all about.

By its basic definition, when an artist "endorses" a product, that artist fully commits and swears by that product. In other words, that product is the best and only product that the artist will use.

From a business standpoint, a manufacturer endorses an artist because that artist is popular enough to influence many drum consumers. A manufacturer signs an Artist so that the buying public will be influenced to buy more of their drums. In such a deal, both parties benefit:

• The artist receives professional drum equipment they consider the best product to represent their musical voice. Additionally, they receive the necessary support in all relative circumstances.
• The manufacturer receives more drum sales due to the overwhelming amount of exposure and drum fans the Artist influences.

Application Process

If you have tried or are currently playing Yamaha instruments and know they are your first choice of musical expression, consider applying for a Yamaha Artist designation. A person must have an established career in the music industry if they wish to be considered a Yamaha Artist.

For consideration to be a Yamaha Artist, please contact artists@yamaha.com

A promotional package should include:

• Current recordings
• Recent photo
• Performance bio
• Resume
• Letter of intent including the following information:
1. Name, address, phone number(s), fax number(s), e-mail address, and group name.
• Do you currently play Yamaha instruments? If yes, what models/series? If no, explain why you seek endorsement.
• What kind of music are you currently playing?
• Are you seeking endorsement from other instrument companies? If so, what other companies are you contacting?
• List any other musical instrument endorsements you may currently have.
• List the retail music store and /or personnel with whom you correspond.
• If you become a Yamaha Artist at some level, what are your expectations of Yamaha?
• As a Yamaha Artist, how can you most positively affect peoples' perceptions of Yamaha, Yamaha sales, and music education?

Once we receive your materials, we will respond as promptly as possible. However, most packages can take up to four weeks to review. Please be patient. These materials will not be returned to you.