When I first became a musician, I wanted to just play in a band, then I wanted to play in a band that actually did gigs. As time moved on I wanted to have my mugshot on a guitar magazine as well as have some photo telling everyone what strings I got for free and that I endorsed them.
But what does an endorsement actually mean?
I'll try and enlighten you.
Companies in any business spend a huge amounts of money marketing their products and using whatever means to get their product in all our faces whenever they can.
In the music business most companies try and get the musicians that use their products to state, whether that be in magazines or in interviews about how good the gear is that they use, whether that be a guitar, effects pedal or an amplifier? Many years ago companies would give away a lot of gear to players they felt would do justice to their brand, but as time has gone on and profit margins become less, these free deals are pretty much out of the window except for the chosen few at the top of the ladder. Having said that, companies still try and look after their artists by offering a huge price reduction that is way less than a trade price, but it's fair to say the free deals are few and far between.
So what about my deals? . . . . and more importantly what do I feel an endorsement deal really should mean?
For me the bottom line is; I want to use a guitar that I love to play and that I like the sound of. If I can get an endorsement then great ! . . . . I'm glad to say that I have an endorsement deal with Gibson Guitars. I have used Les Paul's for years now and I have played them on most of the shows that I have done with Smokie and on many recordings. Any photo that is taken of myself and ends up in a magazine or newspaper will show me with a Gibson Les Paul on most occasions. I recently got a "59" Les Paul that I have in my studio from Gibson and they were glad to endorse me knowing that I do my bit for their brand and equally offer me an instrument at that great artist price, winners all round !!!
Smokie have had a long association with Rotosound guitar strings and recently signed with them as one of their endorsees.
We also have deal with JH. Audio in ear monitors and endorse their great headphones, they do all our repairs free of charge and push us to the front of the queue so we never waiting very long for them to come back, which is a real bonus.
Many years ago I phoned a small German amplifier company asking if I could get an Artist Price one of their amps, since that day I have had a fantastic relationship with Hughes & Kettner.
They have helped me on many occasions, I know their team very well and when I need something they are always there to help out.
Maybe this story from this week will highlight what an endorsement deal really is . . . . .
Smokie had a gig in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The promoter and backline company informed me that they couldn't get me the Tri-Amp that I requested. Yes I can use something else but a recording of the show for a new DVD and a TV show meant I really wanted my Hughes & Kettner Tri-Amps.
A quick phone call to HK and Two Tri-Amps and two four by twelve cabs were shipped all the way from Germany with the usual German efficiency arriving at the gig in Bulgaria nice and early, and yours truly had a great sound that will hopefully come across on the TV and the DVD.
I want to say a big thank you for all at Hughes & Kettner and in particular Frank Urshall for pulling out all the stops . . . . By the way "I love HK Amps" !!!
But what does an endorsement actually mean?
I'll try and enlighten you.
Companies in any business spend a huge amounts of money marketing their products and using whatever means to get their product in all our faces whenever they can.
In the music business most companies try and get the musicians that use their products to state, whether that be in magazines or in interviews about how good the gear is that they use, whether that be a guitar, effects pedal or an amplifier? Many years ago companies would give away a lot of gear to players they felt would do justice to their brand, but as time has gone on and profit margins become less, these free deals are pretty much out of the window except for the chosen few at the top of the ladder. Having said that, companies still try and look after their artists by offering a huge price reduction that is way less than a trade price, but it's fair to say the free deals are few and far between.
So what about my deals? . . . . and more importantly what do I feel an endorsement deal really should mean?
For me the bottom line is; I want to use a guitar that I love to play and that I like the sound of. If I can get an endorsement then great ! . . . . I'm glad to say that I have an endorsement deal with Gibson Guitars. I have used Les Paul's for years now and I have played them on most of the shows that I have done with Smokie and on many recordings. Any photo that is taken of myself and ends up in a magazine or newspaper will show me with a Gibson Les Paul on most occasions. I recently got a "59" Les Paul that I have in my studio from Gibson and they were glad to endorse me knowing that I do my bit for their brand and equally offer me an instrument at that great artist price, winners all round !!!
Smokie have had a long association with Rotosound guitar strings and recently signed with them as one of their endorsees.
We also have deal with JH. Audio in ear monitors and endorse their great headphones, they do all our repairs free of charge and push us to the front of the queue so we never waiting very long for them to come back, which is a real bonus.
Many years ago I phoned a small German amplifier company asking if I could get an Artist Price one of their amps, since that day I have had a fantastic relationship with Hughes & Kettner.
They have helped me on many occasions, I know their team very well and when I need something they are always there to help out.
Maybe this story from this week will highlight what an endorsement deal really is . . . . .
Smokie had a gig in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The promoter and backline company informed me that they couldn't get me the Tri-Amp that I requested. Yes I can use something else but a recording of the show for a new DVD and a TV show meant I really wanted my Hughes & Kettner Tri-Amps.
A quick phone call to HK and Two Tri-Amps and two four by twelve cabs were shipped all the way from Germany with the usual German efficiency arriving at the gig in Bulgaria nice and early, and yours truly had a great sound that will hopefully come across on the TV and the DVD.
I want to say a big thank you for all at Hughes & Kettner and in particular Frank Urshall for pulling out all the stops . . . . By the way "I love HK Amps" !!!