Gretsch Welcomes J.D. Blair

February 22, 2012



In his 30 plus year career, J. D. Blair has developed a résumé that has found him reaching across the lines of musical genres as a performer, session player and touring drummer. Whether it is jazz, gospel, funk, pop, Contemporary Christian or country, Blair delivers the goods. Based in Nashville, it was inevitable that the country music world would come calling; he has performed behind some of the biggest names in country music, including Wynonna Judd, Lyle Lovett, Shelby Lynne, and one of the biggest names in music history, Shania Twain, earning him the title of “2000 Country Drummer of the Year” by Drum! Magazine. As a much sought after session player, Blair has recorded with India.Arie, Bootsy Collins, Tommy Emmanuel, Wynonna Judd, Lyle Lovett, Shelby Lynne, Yo-Yo Ma, Natalie MacMaster, Donnie McClurkin, Point Of Grace, Shania Twain, BeBe and CeCe Winans, and Victor Wooten just to name a few. In 2011, Blair and Wooten toured Europe as a jazz/funk duo on their 2 Minds 1 Groove tour.

Gretsch USA Custom

Hand-crafted every step of the way

The epitome and legend of "That Great Gretsch Sound." The USA Custom series is hand-crafted every step of the way in our Ridgeland, SC factory by highly experienced and skilled drumsmiths. Our legendary Gretsch formula 6-ply shell is the cornerstone of our legendary sound. Shells are completed with 30-degree bearing edges, Silver Sealer, die-cast hoops and custom finishes - ingredients all combined to make a sound long recognized for its classic clear timbre, balanced tone and explosive projection. Custom design your Gretsch dream kit "a la cart" by choosing your desired drum sizes, colors and hardware options. The Gretsch legend continues.

The NEW Gretsch USA Custom Order Guide will explain the many options that are available to help you design a drum set that matches your individual voice as a drummer.

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Catalina Maple

Carefully developed to produce tones that explode a balanced amount of warm low end frequencies

The Catalina Maple series starts with the Gretsch maple formula shell. We carefully developed the maple shell specification to produce tones that explode with attack and volume and project a balanced amount of warm, low-end frequencies. All Catalina Maple shells are 7-ply, 7.2mm.

The Catalina Maples are available in two configurations - a 6-piece shell pack set and a 5-piece shell pack set. Add-on drums are also available to allow for further drum set expansion.

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