drumsticks

Herb Brochstein has a million stories about his long and successful career in the industry. One of these stories is about how he developed a new drumstick and formed ProMark, one of the leading innovators in the music industry. Another stories Herb can tell include his years as a drum retailers in the 1950s and how he sold Elvis Presley his own drum kit before anyone even heard of Rock and Roll. The best stories he tells are of those friends he has met along the way. 

Maury Brochstein recalls growing up in the drum business. His father, Herb, established Pro-Mark drumsticks in 1957 and involved Maury at a young age. Maury saw the need to expand the product line and was instrumental in the company’s involvement with international markets. As president of the company, Maury has vision of future growth and continuation of innovative products, which have come to define the company.  

Pat Brown has a most familiar face. His smile can be seen in the ProMark booth at every NAMM show and PASIC convention. More than a friendly smile, Pat has proven to be a strong supporter of the industry and music education. As the director of sales and marketing for ProMark, Pat has introduced the industry to the company’s new products and has worked hard at providing clinics and endorsee-attended events at music stores, schools and special events that work to promote the product as well as to encourage music makers at every level. Pat has also been a passionate supporter of those who seek to archive the history of our industry, including the NAMM Oral History program. 

Joe Calato is the inventor of the nylon-tipped drumstick, who turned the small idea of preserving his favorite sticks into an industry success story. He formed Regal Tip to produce his unique line of drumsticks and over the years extended the products to include brushes. The Classic (583R) retractable brush might be the best selling wire brush and yet it is over-looked in comparison to the enormous popularity of the nylon-tipped drumstick. 

Jack DeJohnette is a drummer’s drummer and yet, unlike many influential players, Jack is widely known among jazz fans around the world. With credits that range from Miles Davis to Herbie Hancock, Jack has been a driving force on countless jazz and popular recordings beginning in the 1960s. As a product endorser he has developed his own signature series of products such as drumsticks, snares and cymbals.
 

Jim Hennessey was working for Kaman Aerospace when he was transferred to the Ovation Guitar division. Jim worked closely with Charlie Kaman on several projects and later worked in the advertising department for Ovation. Jim expanded his duties to run the endorsement program and helped sign over 300 artists to Ovation in the 1970s. After leaving Kaman, Jim formed The Music People in 1979, which began as a distributor but later became a manufacturing company as well. Jim’s creative thinking led the company to produce a long line of music accessories including the On Stage Stands brand and the Hennessey brand of products.

George Jacob greatly enjoys creating musical products for musicians –of all levels and ages. When a customer needed a softer sound with his drum sticks, George came to the rescue and developed a full line of drum sticks and mallets.  Among his innovations was the use of materials not yet used in the industry for mallets and gong sticks. George introduced a line of durable handles geared towards school band students and a large variety of mallet tips geared towards professional players. His career began in the 1950s and along the way he befriended many within the industry, which George says is one of the best parts of the music industry. “The people make it fun for me.”

Ed Thigpen, known as Mr. Taste for his remarkable touch and feel as an innovative drummer, had a few (hundred) tricks up his musical sleeves when it came to brush work on the snare drums or speed on the high-hat. As a jazz drummer, Ed played with just about everyone everywhere. And yet, he was a firm believer in encouraging future percussionists and thus wrote method books and providing countless clinics in the hope of inspiring others to make music! His impact on the industry may never be fully realized but it will be felt for years to come.