The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus Boasts Rebuild

BUENA PARK, CA (February 20, 2004) — The Educational Tour Bus that bears John Lennon's name has been entirely renovated to the tune of more than $300,000 and premiered at the NAMM Winter Conference on January 15, 2004 in Anaheim, California. The Bacon Brothers were on hand along with NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond, to celebrate the auspicious occasion. Yoko Ono Lennon said, "John would have been very excited about this project. It's exactly the kind of thing he wanted to happen."

The non-profit John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, which continues to feature Lennon's self-portrait, has been fully rebuilt to accommodate all of the new technology, gear and products designed to introduce young people to a broad array of opportunities within the music, audio, video and broadcast industries. New for '04 are Maxell's DVD products, Apple's dual 2.0 GHz G5s, a full complement of 17", 15" and 12" Powerbooks, 23" Cinema Displays, software including Final Cut Pro 4, Logic, and DVD Studio Pro, Yamaha pro audio, guitars and keyboards, JVC Professional video cameras, Aphex mic preamps, Neutrik connectors and patch panels, Furman Sound's headphone systems, Disc Maker's ReflexPro7 DVD±R replicator, and the complete line of Planet Waves' instrument and patch cables. A new feature is a DJ station provided by Stanton.

It is Executive Director Brian Rothschild's vision that has come to fruition. Apple Computer's Music and Audio Marketing Manager, Mark Altekruse, was responsible for overseeing the rebuild along with Dae Bennett and the staff at the Bennett Studios in New Jersey. Tay Hoyle of Taytrix was in charge of the construction and design of the interiors of the bus as well as the wiring and cabling, while Frank Fagnano designed the wiring, and handled the computer set-up, installation, and systems integration. Jeff Sobel, the Lennon Bus Chief Engineer, coordinated all facets of the design, ensuring that the finished studios provide a broad array of experiences for students and other visitors.

Founding Sponsors Maxell and Yamaha continue their commitment to the bus and its goal of providing students with free hands-on opportunities to learn how to write songs and produce videos using traditional musical instruments as well as current technological advances. Under the guidance of three accredited on-board engineers, all students will record and mix using Yamaha's 02R96, and leave with Maxell DVD's of their work.

The bus is highly adaptable, designed to provide students, their schools and communities with performances, demonstrations, remote recordings, and studio sessions customized for their needs, level of experience and interest. Since 1998, the bus has visited hundreds of schools and provided sessions and tours to many thousands of students and visitors at Boys and Girls Clubs, concert venues, music festivals, conventions and community organizations.

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.

Additional information on the bus is available by visiting www.jlsc.com.