Pro-Mark's founder Herb Brochstein.

I know this is a month old now, but Drummer and Pro-Mark founder Herb Brochstein passed away on January 16th 2013 at the age of 85.
 Brochstein played many roles in the music industry throughout his long career, recording and performing, teaching, owning a drum shop, and, in 1957, launching the Pro-Mark drumstick company.
After he bought a few pairs of drumsticks made out of Oak from a passing salesman, Mr. Brochstein’s interest in sticks took hold. Noticing their superior performance over sticks made of traditional materials, he began selling the sticks to his students as well as traveling drummers passing through Houston. The company name, Pro-Mark”, means “the mark of a professional.” 
In a interview on the Pro-Mark website, “The Pro Behind Pro-Mark,” Brochstein recalled the experience that inspired him to create his own line of sticks. “I had bought six pairs of Japanese-made drumsticks from a passing salesman,” Herb said. “I didn’t remember who sold them to me, and I didn’t know what kind of wood they were made from. All I knew was that they were much better quality than domestic sticks.” Brochstein, with the help of Tat Kosaka, went on a quest to find the Japanese factory that had produced the sticks, and soon the Houston-based Pro-Mark was born.
He will be missed by many.
His legacy will live on.

Destruction of the local music scene

Originally posted on  The Love Of Rock And Metal

By Nicki Stapleton

I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but there has been a gradual destruction of the local music scene. Actually, most people don't notice because they aren't out there and that is the problem. Venues are closing, bands aren't playing out and when they do there isn't as much of a crowd. It makes me sad and angry every time I go to a show and I see only a handful of people. Here are some things you can do to help the local music scene get back on its feet and stay there:

1) GO TO SHOWS

First and foremost, get out and go to shows. Go see bands you love, go see bands you like, go see bands you've never seen before. The important thing is that you get out and to the shows. That is the number one way you can show your support for the bands, the music, and the scene. If there are no asses in the seats (or barstools), then there is no reason for venues to stay open and book bands. This is especially important for genres like metal where there is not as broad of a following as mainstream music.

2) BUY CDS and MERCH

While you are at the shows, check out the bands' merch booths. T-Shirts, hats, CDs, DVDs, anything they have to offer. Remember that these local bands aren't rich and famous. They have day jobs (sometimes more than one) and put their own money in to record albums and have t-shirts and other merchandise made just to get their names out there. They play in a band because they truly love it, not because they're paid millions to do it.

3) GET YOUR FRIENDS INVOLVED

When you go out to shows, drag your friends with you. Post information about bands on your Facebook or other social networking pages - photos, videos, band pages and websites, and anything else you can. Get the word out about the bands you find and love.

4) ENCOURAGE RADIO PLAY

Many radio stations have a local music platform. In Madison, WI, 94.1 WJJO has the JJO Local Stage every Sunday at 9pm. You can call in and requests the local bands you want to hear on the radio (608-321-0941 in Madison).  I'm sure bands like to hear their music played on the radio and it gets it out to that many more people.

 So basically, get involved. Get out and enjoy some music. Show the local scene that you want it to stick around otherwise one day there won't be any more.