CELSUS Bienvenido a Miami!
Despite the date of publication, this is WHOOOoooooooooooooo – NOT A DRILL! (I never actually typed that before but it is full circle, as I nicked it from something I had heard on a Bass CD, as a device for live use attention-grasping at the top of shows. It became as iconic as the hat and was used by VIBE on a CD giveaway!) For the really tremendously hench folks at Celsus the JL Audio guys are taking a bunch of their top dealers to go see the factory in America where they make these world class loudspeakers and subwoofers. They are flying us to the Ohian Rustbelt near Akron A.K.A. ‘Rubbertown’, as it’s where they make all the tyreser no, that bit was kidding, for we are going to South Beach, MIAMI baby! And staying in a lovely posh spot. The HQ is just a hop and a skip from Hollywood (yes, Hollywood!) but the Hollywood Beach, just East by a mile or two from the factory, which is where the Bass Mekanik lives. I want to take him a Marmite and Golden Syrup Aid Package as he cannot get them easily in the USA.
Yep, you guessed it, yours truly is getting to tag along. I didn’t earn my place in the way that the dealers did as Celsus are going great guns and these dealers all top outfits have earned their trip in product sales. But I shall be reporting my butt off and while the dealers have leisure stuff to look forward to (and well deserved, too) my own thing is that I exist to service YOUR leisure. Like a chef does. I chose it. So, shall I go fishing, or live the JL Audio thing, of ‘This is How We Play’ and play with CARS on the ‘˜free’ days? Yes, it’s cars.. I want to try to get some real Miami style audio installs and owners to hose down!
So a HUGE congratulations to JL Audio UK, in the shape of Celsus, a huge well done to the dudes who are going along and a HELLOOOOOOO Steeevie Babayto Mister S. Turrisi, who is the stalwart fellow you can see in this video below, which is a Las Vegan odyssey. Be warned, it is twenty minutes long for JL hardcore but shows the stuff we will be learning more about.
http://youtu.be/M5nmj99Ts8s
The guys who are going, are like, the Great and The Good of real, actual Car Audio, that still lives, despite rumours of its death! They were all called to be asked to comment.. the truth is of course, that I was really calling them to get them to pull their fingers out and get on the USA’s ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) website to check they can travel to the USA under the Visa Waiver system.
Myself, I have a shiny new visa page in my passport as I am a ‘˜Foreign Media News Reporter’ and despite the chap at the Embassy having no idea why the ESTA system flagged me up, I think it was something to do with being on the CEA (Consumer Electronics Association of America) ‘˜Scholarship Journalist’ roster. As I managed to work my passage to the International CES as a guest of the organisers! Still proud of that!
Here is who those folks are and what they had to say about going.
John Kleis Car Audio’s JK said, ‘I am staying on a week longer to visit with a friend. I have never seen the factory, so it will be really nice to see what it is all about.’
Brian Car Sounds & Security’s Brian (junior) said of Brian (senior), ‘I went two years back and I wanted dad to have a break. He works so hard and he deserves it. I remember it was really good to catch up with other shops in the business.’
SMK Audio’s Sajj opined, ‘We are the UK’s longest serving JL dealers and have been four times! The factory is amazingit’ll be a really good trip.’
CAS are sending Purav and Deepak. Purav said, ‘I went in 2010. It was good but we did a lot of travelling. This is going direct to South Beach. We had a lot of fun as a group as everyone is on the same vibe.’
Car Electronics are sending Darren Waddingham who told us, ‘It’ll be an interesting experience to see the factory and learn the history. I am looking forward to the experience and to meeting the industry people’
Sound Evolution’s Saff (whom I SHALL call Saffy..) said, ‘You just caught me about to tune up a JL Audio system I have installed. I went three years ago and found it to be a very motivational experience. It’s a great feedback opportunity to be able to tell JL how good the last trip was and has helped since. We are going to have a great time.’
Gary Hallwood of legendary (oooold) Audiofile In Car of Bishops Stortford said, ‘I can’t wait to get out there and have a go on the JL Audio powerboat. I am inspired by JL submergible audio..’ he chuckled down the phone.
Lem from Oxford Car Audio, (see their JL Audio beetle here on talk Audio TV: Link) said, ‘I can’t wait. I have wanted to see how JL operate their business in their country. The product training will be amazing and if I can get some sound engineering training as well, that’d be good.’
Andrew from Rudiemods said, ‘An amazing trip to go and see THE best car audio brand in the world. A chance to see how the wonderful W7s are made’
Mike Keenan from Celsus said, ‘The biggest thing is to get energy back into the industry. I went four years ago and it was cool to see how the dealers got really excited, taking it to a new level. Personally, I can’t wait.’
Before top dude Chris Bennett concluded with, ‘My twelfth visit for me. Personally, the way I would sum it up is to say that you meet great people, you get fantastic training and a great understanding of the company with Florida sunshine! HOW WE PLAY, has meaning!’
Ohand tragically, my Facebook postnow that it has JUST gone midday noon, it is time to admit that I am NOT going to be the warm-up man for the audience at the recording of the BBC Top Gear programme. A huge thanks to those closest to me, who knew it was piffle and an actual apology for pulling your legs so hard on this, as the outpourings of congratulatory lovewere actually really touching and embarrassing for fibbing