artist relations department 22 Longwater Dr., Norwell, MA. 02061 • Tel: 617-364-6869 • www.vicfirth.

com

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in Vic Firth Company.

There is a good chance that you’ve downloaded this application

because you are interested in an endorsement with Vic Firth.
ENDORSEMENT APPLICATION

Before you get into the business of completing the application,

we thought it might be a good idea to explain why we do or do
not sign an artist into our family.

What an endorsement means

By its basic definition, an “endorsement” means an artist fully
commits to and swears by a particular company/product.
In other words, that company’s product is the best and only
product that the artist wants to play or use. The artist endorses
the company, not the other way around.

From a business stand point; a manufacturer (like Vic Firth)

acknowledges the endorsement because that artist is popular
enough to influence many consumers. The manufacturer makes
the relationship official by signing the artist, so that the buying
public is made aware of that connection. The idea being that
when that relationship is made known to the artist’s fans it will

“
influence them to buy more of the same products the artist
chooses to play.

“
ASK NOT WHAT A DRUM COMPANY CAN DO FOR YOU.
ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THE DRUM COMPANY.

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Matt Greiner, AUGUST BURNS RED
 artist relations department 22 Longwater Dr., Norwell, MA. 02061 • Tel: 617-364-6869 • www.vicfirth.com

Mutually Beneficial
In such a relationship each party benefits from something:
• The artist receives professional equipment that he/she
believes is the best in supporting or representing his/her
musical voice. In addition, they receive the support needed
in all relative circumstances.
• The manufacturer sees an increase in sales due to the
ENDORSEMENT APPLICATION

additional exposure the artist gives the brand and the

consumers he/she influences.

Here are some of the considerations for most endorsements:

• Excessive amount of hits on a social media platform i.e.
Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, etc
• CD/Record Sales approaching decent amounts for a
particular genre
• Television, studio, movie and video credits
• Participation in high visibility tours
• Other Endorsements (such as drum set, cymbals, heads, etc.)
• Teaching credentials from major university or education
systems
• Major influence on drummers in a specific genre of music

“
“
WHEN THE COMPANY WHOSE PRODUCT YOU BELIEVE IN
ALSO BELIEVES IN YOU AND YOUR MUSIC, THAT IS MAGIC.
THAT’S MY RELATIONSHIP WITH VIC.

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Adam Breeze, Raven Eye
 artist relations department 22 Longwater Dr., Norwell, MA. 02061 • Tel: 617-364-6869 • www.vicfirth.com

So how does one get a Vic Firth endorsement?

In addition to the points previously listed, we look a little more
into each artist. Receiving a Vic Firth endorsement is basically
being accepted into our family. We take great pride in our roster
and are very selective about who we allow in.
ENDORSEMENT APPLICATION

• Personality. Each and every Vic Firth artist has their own
personality, but we are truly a family. It’s important that
each artist signed knows that it is about the relationship. VF
offers the best artist service in the business. This is because
we understand the importance of an artist getting the best
tools to make his/her music. In return we only ask that the
artist understand that we exist for not just one artist, but
many. We work as a family. Yes it is business, but it’s also
very personal. It is impossible for it not to be, when you
are dealing with any art, but especially music. Looking at
the current roster you can see the longevity in which most
artists have been with Vic, and this is a testament to that
personal touch.
• Exposure. As listed earlier, a drummer’s popularity is

“
essential. How much will that particular drummer influence

“
the buying public?

AS A SERIOUS MUSICIAN, YOUR SOUND IS PARAMOUNT. IT IS VITAL TO FIND THE

COMPANIES THAT HAVE PRODUCTS THAT WORK FOR YOU AND REPRESENT YOUR MUSIC
AUTHENTICALLY. FOR ME, THE STICKS ARE ESSENTIAL TO UNLOCKING MY VOICE ON THE
INSTRUMENT. WITHOUT THE STICKS - NOTHING ELSE CAN SPEAK.
Karriem Riggins, Diana Krall, Common

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 artist relations department 22 Longwater Dr., Norwell, MA. 02061 • Tel: 617-364-6869 • www.vicfirth.com

• Loyalty. Does the drummer already play Vic Sticks? We love

signing people who truly believe in our sticks/mallets and
have already chosen Vic to make their music. Nothing is
more respected than when we hear that a drummer turned
down another endorsement offer because they would rather
play and/or wait for an opening with the Vic Firth family.
• Talent. We believe in the quality of the many talents we have
on our roster. We stand behind our roster and their abilities.
ENDORSEMENT APPLICATION

We have both legends and future legends on our roster

because of just that.
Now that you have a little more of an idea of how we see things
regarding endorsements, you can better determine whether
you fit into that description. Maybe you do or maybe you will
someday. Timing is everything in this world we call drumming.
Be honest with yourself and if now is not the time then consider
waiting to apply when it is. In the meantime, be true to your
convictions and keep playing Vic for all the reasons you are
seeking an endorsement.

“
“
PUT YOUR ENERGY INTO BECOMING THE BEST MUSICIAN YOU
CAN BE AND IN TIME YOU’LL DEVELOP THE RELATIONSHIPS
WITH THE BRANDS YOU TRULY BELIEVE IN.

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Ray Luzier, KORN
 artist relations department 22 Longwater Dr., Norwell, MA. 02061 • Tel: 617-364-6869 • www.vicfirth.com

I’m Ready !
If you feel you meet the criteria of what we are looking for, please
complete and print out the VF application on the following
pages. It is not a contract or agreement and serves only to begin
a potential artist relationship with VF. Please keep in mind that
incomplete applications will not be considered. E-mail packages
are not accepted.
Please include a press kit that contains a bio/photo, articles
ENDORSEMENT APPLICATION

from major publications (i.e. Billboard, R&R etc), a recording

(CD/DVD) and/or video/DVD that best represents your playing.
Please MAIL (no e-packs please) all information to the following
address:
Vic Firth Company
Attn: Artist Relations Dept. - APPLICATION
22 Longwater Drive
Norwell, MA
02061
Thanks for taking the time to read this letter and complete this
application. Maybe we will be working together someday.
Best wishes to you and your drumming career,

“
“
Joe Testa
Director of Artist Relations
Vic Firth Company

ENDORSING ANY COMPANY HAS TO BE BASED ON A SINCERE RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE

YOU ARE NOT ONLY BRINGING WHAT THEY CREATE INTO YOUR MUSICAL FAMILY, BUT WHAT THEY
REPRESENT AS WELL. IT IS NOT A RELATIONSHIP FOCUSED AROUND GAINING FREE GEAR. IT IS
ABOUT BELIEVING IN SOMETHING ENOUGH WHERE YOU WOULD CHOOSE TO PURCHASE
THE PRODUCTS BECAUSE THEY EMBODY THE POSSIBILITIES OF WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF
EXPRESSING MUSICALLY. YOU ENHANCE THEIR BRAND, THEY ENHANCE YOURS.
Eric Harland, Voyager

Page 6 Photo: Jonathan Ulman

 artist relations department 22 Longwater Dr., Norwell, MA. 02061 • Tel: 617-364-6869 • www.vicfirth.com

Please type whenever possible

OVERVIEW

Personal

Name (first): (last):

Address (street/apt#/city/state/zip):

Country:

Phone: Cell:

E-mail:

Date of Birth:

Musical Affiliations

Current Group or Affiliation:

How long have you been with this group?:

Status within the group: Touring Member? Y N Recording Member? Y N

Former Groups:

Educational background:

Type of Player
overview

Do you consider yourself a drum set player or percussionist?

Do you consider yourself more of a performer or educator?

Please use percentages (100% being the total) to describe your total time as a musician:

Performer: % + Educator: % = 100%

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 artist relations department 22 Longwater Dr., Norwell, MA. 02061 • Tel: 617-364-6869 • www.vicfirth.com

IMPRESSIONS & IMPACTS

Please provide your following Social Media information. If you are in various groups please use your
primary group’s information:

YouTube Channel address:

YouTube Channel Total Views:

Instagram Handle:

Instagram Total Likes:

Spotify Band Name:

impressions & impacts

Spotify Total Listens:

BandCamp URL:

BandCamp Stats:

Facebook address:

Facebook Total Likes:

Facebook Total Friends:

Other Social Media (SoundCloud etc):

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 artist relations department 22 Longwater Dr., Norwell, MA. 02061 • Tel: 617-364-6869 • www.vicfirth.com

HISTORY & RECOMMENDATIONS

Recording History

Please list three recordings you have performed on that best represents your playing:
List Title, Artist, Year Released and how many Units Sold year to date:
HISTORY & RECOMMENDATIONS

Touring History

Please list the three most recent tours you played on:
Specify Headliner or Opening Status?, Size of Venues, Size of Average Crowd:

Recommendations

Please list the names and email addresses of any contacts that would recommend you for an
artist association with Vic Firth:

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 artist relations department 22 Longwater Dr., Norwell, MA. 02061 • Tel: 617-364-6869 • www.vicfirth.com

ENDORSEMENT ?UESTIONS

Endorsements
Please list all companies you have a current and official endorsement with:
Include the Company name, Type of Endorsement and Contact Person for each.

Cymbals:

Drums:

Heads:

Percussion:
ENDORSEMENT ?UESTIONS

Microphones:

Are you currently seeking an endorsement with any other stick company? Y N

If so, who?

Why?

Do you currently play VF and if so which model?

If an endorsement with VF did not work out at this time would you continue to play VF sticks?
Y N

Please explain why you would like to become a Vic Firth artist:

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 artist relations department 22 Longwater Dr., Norwell, MA. 02061 • Tel: 617-364-6869 • www.vicfirth.com

CONTACTS
Current Management Contacts

Management Company Name :

Contact Name:

Phone #:

E-mail:

Address (street/apt#/city/state/zip):

Web:

Current Record Label Contacts

Label Name:

Contact Name:

Phone #:

E-mail :

Address (street/apt#/city/state/zip):

Web:

Drum Equipment Manager Contact

Name (first): (last):

CONTACTS

Cell:

E-mail:

NOTE: It is only necessary to print and submit pages 7-11 of this application. Keep in mind that
the materials you send with the application will not be returned. We will respond to you via
e-mail or post.

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