EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J.⎯A cross-generational lineup of Jersey Shore music scene all-stars including the top two grossing acts of 2008 Bruce Springsteen, who made a surprise appearance, and Bon Jovi, as well as Southside Johnny Lyon, Nicole Atkins, the Gaslight Anthem’s Brian Fallon, Bobby Bandiera and Gary U.S. Bonds rocked the 1,400-seat Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ in late December for The Hope Concert IV, an annual event benefiting those in need throughout New Jersey. This year, the concert proceeds were dispersed to the Parker Family Health Center in Red Bank and the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. more

BUENA PARK, Calif.⎯While Slumdog Millionaire took home eight Oscars including Best Picture on Sunday, February 22, 2009 when the 81st Academy Awards Ceremony was held at the Kodak Theater and broadcast live on ABC, there were three behind-the-scenes winners that evening: Yamaha digital audio consoles. PA designer and front of house engineer, Pat Baltzell, received a helping hand from ATK Audiotek supplying both a Yamaha PM1D 128-input/64-output Dual Engine system and PM5D digital console to outfit front of house. A Yamaha PM1D-128 input/64-output Dual Engine system was also used and manned by monitor mixer Michael Parker supported by monitor tech Tom Pesa. more

─Mixer to Compliment Installation Series Speakers─

BUENA PARK, Calif.─Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. announces the availability of the new IMX644 rack mount digital mixer with availability during March, 2009. Developed for sound information applications such as conference rooms, banquet halls, lounges and restaurants, the IMX644 delivers excellent sound quality, is easy to install, and is available at a very competitive price point. The IMX644 features six Euroblock mono inputs each with individual +48V phantom power, four RCA stereo inputs, as well as an additional optical digital input. Outputs consist of two pair of stereo Euroblock connectors and two channels of mono outputs. RCA and optical digital outputs are also available for recording. The IMX644 will also compliment the successful Installation Series loudspeakers and have been designed for seamless compatibility with all 26 IS speakers. more

BUENA Park, Calif.─ The 51st Annual GRAMMY® Awards (CBS) held on February 8th at the Staple Center in Los Angeles had a performance line up and duets by the likes of Coldplay and Jay-Z; Al Green, Keith Urban, Justin Timberlake and Boyz II Men performing ‘Let’s Stay Together’; the Jonas Brothers pairing with Stevie Wonder; Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus; Paul McCartney and Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl; as well as performances by Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, and many others. ATK Audiotek (Valencia, Ca.) once again provided live audio production and, once again, chose four Yamaha PM1D digital audio consoles, two at front of house and two for the monitor mix. more

BUENA PARK, Calif.─February marks three notable TV broadcasts watched around the globe: Super Bowl XLIII won by the Pittsburgh Steelers who defeated the Arizona Cardinals held Sunday, February 1 at the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa, Florida (NBC); the 51st Annual GRAMMY® Awards (CBS) on February 8 at the Staple Center in Los Angeles; and the 81st Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater on Sunday, February 22 (ABC). ATK Audiotek (Valencia, Ca.) will once again spearhead audio production for all three extravaganzas. ATK has been supplying audio production services for the Super Bowl since 1998 and for XLIII, they have chosen two Yamaha PM5Ds for audio coverage at the stadium. Faith Hill performed at the Pre-Game Show and Jennifer Hudson sang the National Anthem. more

─PRE-INAUGURAL CONCERT, OBAMA SWEARING-IN CEREMONY, AND INAUGURATION BALLS─

BUENA PARK, Calif.─A defining moment in history as 44 takes the oath of office making Burack Obama the first African-American President of the United States, and Yamaha consoles were there to share the sound mix with the world for many of the events held in DC, LA and NY. With over 1.5 million jamming the National Mall to witness history, the Inaugural began with Aretha Franklin’s version of “America the Beautiful” followed by a performance by Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriella Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill. The Swearing-In Ceremony and all the events taking place on the Capitol steps were mixed on a pair of Yamaha PM5D digital audio consoles. Audio production for the ceremony was provided by MSI (Baltimore, MD). more

─Room Upgrades Include a NEXO GEO S12 Line Array and Two Yamaha M7CL Digital Consoles─

BUENA PARK, Calif.─Originally built as the Manhattan Opera House in 1906 by Oscar Hammerstein I, the Manhattan Center boasts a rich history of entertainment, corporate and cultural events. Now, more than 100 years later, the building still serves the metro New York area with two unique event spaces – The Hammerstein and The Grand Ballrooms. The flexibility of these rooms, along with their connection to in-house recording and television studios, allows clients to transform the rooms to suit any style of event, from corporate events, rock concerts, and television shoots to trade or fashion shows and product launches. more

─New SW1112 Ideal for Use with Smaller, Full-Range Speakers─

BUENA PARK, Calif.─Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. announces the delivery of its new Installation Series subwoofer, Model IS1112. Ideal for smaller, full-ranged IS models, Yamaha IS1112W is the perfect subwoofer to achieve naturally extended low-end response in models used for primary delivery. The Yamaha IS Speaker Series has achieved much success in installations requiring seamlessly-integrated hardware, meeting the expectations of contractors and end users requiring superior audio quality, and ease of installation and system design. more

BUENA PARK, Calif.─Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. (YCAS) pulled out all stops when it brought key dealers, contractors and end users to the Cerritos Performing Arts Center for two-day demonstrations of NEXO line arrays including GEO T, GEO D, GEO S8 and the new GEO S12 Series. The demonstrations were held in mid-November at the performing arts venue located in Cerritos, California. “Speakers were powered by the new Yamaha and NEXO NXAmp as well as Yamaha Tn amplifiers and also included a preview of the new Yamaha SB168-ES Stage Box. more

BUENA PARK, Calif.-Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. (YCAS) has announced the appointment of Jacob (Jake) Cody to the position of House of Worship Marketing Specialist. In his new position, Cody will support the efforts of Dan Craik, House of Worship Marketing Manager and will report directly to YCAS marketing manager, Marc Lopez. The announcement is part of the planned expansion of the department directly responsible for all product marketing activities in support of dealers and customers within the houses of worship market.

As marketing specialist, Cody’s responsibilities will include the organization and coordination of trade show and conference logistics for YCAS events and market research including the facilitation of marketing and promotions specifically geared toward this market. more