Niles, Ill., Nov. 21, 2011—Shure Incorporated has provided microphones to the award-winning music television series Guitar Center Sessions on DIRECTV. Produced by Guitar Center, the world’s largest musical instrument retailer, and DIRECTV, one of the world’s leading providers of digital television entertainment services, the program features exclusive performances and intimate, enlightening conversations hosted by musical tastemaker Nic Harcourt, frequently referred to as “the most influential DJ in America.”
“We’re grateful to Shure for supporting our efforts to share these incredible live performances and interviews with our viewers,” notes Dustin Hinz, director of music marketing and artist relations for Guitar Center. “It’s a thrill to showcase exclusive live versions of beloved songs, and share the history behind them as told directly by the artists.”
Shure gear used on the Guitar Center Sessions series includes industry-standard SM58s; SM57s, excellent for instrument pickup; Beta 52As, ideal in low-frequency applications; SM86s, rugged pro vocal mics; Beta 57As and Beta 27s, versatile instrument mics great for live applications; and Super 55s, vocal microphones combining classic appearance with modern performance.
To date, musicians performing on the show who have used the Shure mic package include Peter Frampton, Bad Religion, Saint Motel, Social Distortion, Blondie, Bush, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, New Found Glory, Tom Morello, Seether, Carolina Liar, and Plain White T's.
The first of seven new episodes of the show premieres Saturday, November. 19 at 9:00 P.M. ET/PT in 2D hi-definition on DIRECTV’S Audience Network (channel 239) and in 3D on DIRECTV’S n3D™ powered by Panasonic, and features multi-platinum rock band Bush. A sneak preview of the Bush episode and exclusive performance of “The Chemical Between Us” can be seen at http://guitarcenter.com/sessions/. Other upcoming episodes include Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Tom Morello, Seether, Plain White T’s, Carolina Liar, and New Found Glory.
Every Guitar Center Sessions episode is filmed in front of a live studio audience in the Guitar Center Hollywood Vintage Room. Described as a hybrid between Inside the Actors Studio and VH1 Storytellers, Guitar Center Sessions features performances and insightful interviews with musicians detailing the personal and musical experiences that have helped shape their careers. The program received the International 3D Society’s award for “Best Music Television Series” in 2010.
“The artists appearing on Guitar Center Sessions range from talented up-and-comers to industry giants, and we’re thrilled that Shure can play a part in helping them tell their stories—via musical performances and interviews,” said Terri Hartman, Director of Marketing Communications, Shure Americas.
Guitar Center Sessions is an extension of Guitar Center’s ongoing music education-based initiative of the same name. The program features informative panel discussions and hands-on tutorials for musicians, and provides them with the chance to gain insight and knowledge from their heroes in a comfortable and intimate setting.
About Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the world's largest retailer of musical instruments and equipment, including guitars, amplifiers, drums, keyboards, as well as pro-audio and recording gear. Its retail store subsidiary presently operates 221 Guitar Center stores across the U.S. It is also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the United States through its wholly owned subsidiary, Musician's Friend, Inc., and its catalog and website, www.musiciansfriend.com. In addition, its Music & Arts division operates more than 100 stores specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors, and students. More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the company's website at www.guitarcenter.com.
The Guitar Center logo is a registered trademark of Guitar Center, Inc. Other brand or product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.
About Shure Incorporated
Founded in 1925, Shure Incorporated (www.shure.com) is widely acknowledged as the world's leading manufacturer of microphones and audio electronics. Over the years, the Company has designed and produced many high-quality professional and consumer audio products that have become legendary for performance, reliability and value. Shure’s diverse product line includes world-class wired microphones, wireless microphones and in-ear personal monitor systems, headphones for performers, presenters and recordists, award-winning earphones and headsets for use with MP3 players and smart phones, and top-rated phonograph cartridges for professional DJs. Today, Shure products are the first choice whenever audio performance is a top priority.
Shure Incorporated corporate headquarters is located in Niles, Illinois, in the United States. The Company has additional manufacturing facilities and regional sales offices in China, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the United States.