6/16/2005

MAPEX REACHES ENDORSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH DOM FAMULARO

Dom Famularo brings his world renowned playing and teaching talents to the Mapex team.

Nashville, TN — This week, Mapex Drums has announced that an endorsement agreement has been reached with the legendary performer and educator, Dom Famularo. Famularo will be playing Mapex Drums exclusively in his forthcoming clinics and performances. In addition, Famularo will be assisting Mapex in dramatically expanding the company’s “Learning Advantage” drumming education program.

“The addition of Dom to the Mapex team is an incredible opportunity for immediate growth in our drum education efforts,” said Joseph Vasko, Vice President and General Manager for Mapex USA. “His years of teaching experience and his breakthrough techniques will be a critical component in building our educational program and continuing the company’s remarkable pattern of growth.”

Famularo’s name has become synonymous with drum education. His sensational drumming and brilliant communications skills have earned him a reputation of being the world's leading motivational drum set artist and educator. Through history-making tours of China and the Far East, and with standing ovations to capacity audiences at virtually every major drumming event in Europe and the Americas, Famularo is renowned for delivering entertaining and awe-inspiring performances unlike any other. Recently Famularo was voted the “2005 Number One International Clinician/Educator” by Modern Drummer.

Tutored by legendary greats Joe Morello, Jim Chapin, Al Miller, and Ronnie Benedict, Famularo combines the masterful techniques of the past with the parameter-pushing concepts of the twenty-first century for a highly creative and uniquely personal style of drumming. With hands powered by the famous Moeller technique and feet dancing through high-speed double-pedal bass drumming patterns he delivers performances that dip and dive through dynamics and styles with energy and ease. Elements of jazz, funk, fusion, and Latin rhythms permeate his sound, while every stroke speaks to the inventiveness that makes his drumming so exciting, entertaining, and inspiring.

“I am very excited to be involved with the Mapex Team and appreciate their true desire to expand their educational efforts,” said Famularo. “I am looking forward to assisting Mapex with an educational focus to reach more drummers and propel the art form.”

Famularo has already completed his first project for Mapex, a “how-to” DVD for insertion into entry-level drum sets. The DVD is scheduled to begin shipping with sets in January 2006.

Mapex officially rolled out its Learning Advantage program in January 2005. The program is designed to support and further develop in store teaching programs of Mapex dealers. Items such as drum set and accessory incentives, POP and display materials, and access to clinics and Master Classes, hosted by Famularo, who is acknowledged as one the most successful contemporary educators today, are among a few of the perks. Most importantly, Dom will contribute mentoring through curriculum development and coaching of professional practices for the dealer’s educational sales channels.

“Dom is renowned for his trademark teaching methods and techniques,” said Joe Hibbs, A&R and Product Development Manager for Mapex USA. “We have a lot of work ahead of us, but having Dom’s guidance will greatly ensure the success of the ‘Mapex Learning Advantage,’ program.”