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Iishi Takes Top Spot at Pearl

The Board of Directors of the Pearl Musical Instrument Co. named Max Iishi as the company’s president and CEO. Effective immediately, he succeeds the incumbent president and CEO Masakatsu Yanagisawa, who has been appointed chairman of the board of directors.

Originally from Kyoto, Japan, he graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo with a degree in Max Iishi economics. He joined Pearl in 1995 and was promoted to international sales and marketing manager in 1999. He spent 10 years in the Netherlands and was named president of Pearl Europe in 2006. In 2012, Iishi returned to Pearl headquarters

Fishman Turns to Tom

Fishman hired Tom Spaulding as artist relations manager in Nashville. He will work out of Fishman’s new artist relations office located at Soundcheck Nashville, a provider of professional backline rental, tour support and rehearsal studios. After a decade working and teaching at a retail music store in Madison, Wis., Spaulding relocated to Nashville to take a position with Gibson, eventually ending up at the custom shop. During his tenure at

Tom Spaulding

A Very Special Hire

Korg USA Inc. hired Natalie Chami as product specialist. A noted synth influencer and musician, Chami is based in Chicago and will play an essential role in Korg USA’s commitment to creating top-notch product content and training resources for customers and dealers nationwide. Chami arrives at Korg USA from the Chicago High School for the Arts, a school that she helped found and where she served as Natalie Chami Vocal Chair. At ChiArts, Chami developed curriculum for a variety of courses, including music technology. She also oversaw the development and implementation of anti-racist and trauma-informed curriculum with compassionate instruction, and

Maria Tzeka

In Memoriam: Laurie Austin

RPMDA past president Laurie Austin passed away at her home in Portland, Ore., on Feb. 22. Austin had a distinguished career in the music industry. She served on the RPMDA board for many years and led the organization through many positive changes as president from 2000 to 2002, always with dedication, grace and a sense of humor, stated RPMDA. She rose through the ranks at Heid Music in Appleton, Wis., before moving to Portland to open her own interior design and giftware shop, Please Be Seated, where her gifts for visual marketing were fully realized. Austin later became an etiquette coach and personal chef. She is survived by her sister Lisa Berghuis of Washougal, Wash. in Japan in the position of vice president of sales and marketing. In 2018, he was promoted to executive vice president in charge of group management.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to lead the iconic and globally renowned company, Pearl. Over the years, I have had in-depth and extensive dealings with all major stakeholders, shareholders, customers, artists, engineers, suppliers, manufacturers and business associates both within and outside the music industry. Using this experience and knowledge my mission is to further develop and expand the Pearl brand in the entire world. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Pearl’s foundation by the Yanagisawa family, and I consider myself fortunate to work with and represent Masakatsu Yanagisawa, a thirdgeneration family member. Masakatsu and I are truly happy and excited to take on the challenges ahead as Pearl steers its path into the future,” stated Iishi.

Gibson Brands, he also had the role of product manager for Oberheim.

Following his time at Gibson, Spaulding spent the next 12 years on the road as a guitar tech with Wynonna Judd, Trisha Yearwood, Lee Roy Parnell, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes, Aerosmith, John Fogerty and Hall & Oates. For the last 10 years, he was back home in Nashville as an artist relations representative for D’Addario & Co.

“We’re excited to have a bigger presence in Nashville,” stated Chris DeMaria, Fishman’s vice president of marketing and artist relations. “Tom has the perfect background to represent the Fishman brand. He’s a longtime Nashvillian and knows everybody in town: artists, managers, venue operators, and other influencers.”

built relationships with various organizations, including music conservatories and universities, in order to provide opportunities for students. Ontario-born Chami is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in music education with concentrations in classical voice, opera performance, and choral conducting.

Since 2009, Chami has performed and recorded under the TALsounds moniker, a project that explores drone, ambient, and electroacoustic improv disciplines. After a series of tape releases on labels like Hausu Mountain and Moog’s own physical imprint, Chami released her first TALsounds LP, “Love Sick,” with New York’s Ba Da Bing Records. Her second LP, “Acquiesce,” arrived in 2020 on NNA Records. As a member of free music trio Good Willsmith, Chami has toured the U.S. and released nine albums since 2012. She also performs as half of ambient duo Damiana and regularly collaborates in informal improv ensembles with musicians from Chicago and beyond.

In Memoriam: Merv Cargill

Luthier Merv Cargill passed away in Australia on his 91st birthday. He was the owner of Cargill Custom Guitars. Cargill made the old Australian brand of Pacific Guitars until he turned his hand to his own custom guitar-making business in 1956 (then named Cargill Custom Guitars). Cargill’s attention to detail and immense passion for producing instruments of the optimum tonality and finish made the Cargill name one that is synonymous with the guitar industry. From his backyard garage, his reputation attracted some of the biggest names in music, receiving both local and international visitors and customers. Cargill’s son, James, carries on the Cargill tradition.