Fans around the world continued to be re-introduced to "That Great Gretsch Sound" of BroadKaster drums throughout 1998. Between Harvey Mason's tour drumming with jazz ensemble Fourplay and several media product reviews, Gretsch BroadKaster drums received significant exposure in Asia and Europe as well as in its North American home markets.

Here in the States, Harvey Mason gave Gretsch an unusual plug during a Fourplay concert over the Fourth of July holiday in Atlanta, GA. Gretsch employees and their families attended as special guests of Harvey and the band, and during the concert Harvey introduced the Gretsch group to fans as the people who actually made the drums he was playing.

More significant U.S. coverage for Harvey Mason and BroadKaster drums was a cover story write-up in Modern Drummer (Oct. '98). Ten pages and the cover were given to Harvey, the layout photos prominently displaying his Gretsch BroadKaster Harvey Mason Signature kit no fewer than seven times.

Modern Drummer doubled up the Harvey Mason cover story with a Product Close-up of Gretsch BroadKaster drums at year end (Dec. '98). The Close-up pointed out despite some minor flaws, "the sound - That Great Gretsch Sound - is there in all its historic glory. And you get that sound for less money than you might expect."

Moving on to Asia, Harvey also hit the cover of Japanese Percussion Center Magazine, a publication of Komaki Music. Harvey was in Japan touring with Fourplay in Aug. '98, and while there he headlined a clinic for 70 drummers hosted by Komaki/JPC. Harvey's presence, the article, and the clinic all gave Gretsch BroadKaster drums excellent exposure within the Japanese market.

The U.K.'s Rhythm Magazine (Sep. '98) provided some European coverage with a Gear review of a Gretsch BroadKaster satin ebony finish drum set. They pointed out some cosmetic choices and a drum head configuration they did not like, but "apart from that, this is a fine drum kit with all the attention to detail, great sounds and effortless class you'd expect from Gretsch."

Photo: Harvey Mason behind his Gretsch BroadKaster Drum kit.
Photo Credit: Punkin Moser.