Craig Chaquico, David Ellefson, Euge Groove, Tommy Bolan and Beamz Inventor Jerry Riopelle Line Up to Demonstrate Music Created with Beamz Studio Software Jan. 13-16 at NAMM

Anaheim, CA – January 13, 2011 – Beamz Interactive, an interactive music products company, today announced top music artists Craig Chaquico, David Ellefson, Euge Groove, Tommy Bolan and Beamz Inventor Jerry Riopelle will be demonstrating the Beamz Player interactive laser controller at the 2011 NAMM Conference in the Anaheim Convention Center (Booth #6110). In addition, the company announced the general release of its Beamz Player DJ & Pro Audio Edition for MSRP $299.95, which combines Beamz Studio and Beamz DJ Software with the Beamz Player laser controller.

Last week at CES, the legendary thrash metal bassist of the Grammy nominated band Megadeth, David Ellefson announced the release of his new interactive album titled, “David Ellefson’s Beamz Metal Factory,” including seven new original songs created using Beamz Studio Software. This new release will be available for purchase on January 18 from the Beamz website.

Beamz Demonstrations at NAMM 2011:

Thursday, January 13th at 4pm – David Ellefson
Friday, January 14th at 11am – Craig Chaquico
Friday, January 14th at 12:30pm – Tommy Bolan
Friday, January 14th at 2pm – Euge Groove
Saturday, January 15th at 11am – David Ellefson
Saturday, January 15th at 12:30pm – Tommy Bolan
Saturday, January 15th at 2pm – Euge Groove
Saturday, January 15th at 4pm – Jerry Riopelle
Sunday, January 16th at 11am – Jerry Riopelle

“Now professional musicians and DJs can play, create and control interactive music with our second generation interactive laser controller bundled with Beamz Studio and Beamz DJ Software,” said Beamz Interactive Vice President of Marketing Al Ingallinera. “The new hardware design enables better interaction with an audience, and the addition of the Beamz DJ application provides MIDI control for DJs and musicians to configure triggers in virtually any application working with MIDI and/or keystroke input commands.” Since its limited release in Q3 2010, Beamz has expanded its online video tutorials for using Beamz Studio and Beamz DJ applications. In addition, there are now demonstration packages for DJs and musicians to showcase how the product may be used with leading applications including Ableton Live 8, Sonar Producer 8.5 and Traktor.

The Beamz benefits musicians who are interested in a revolutionary way to make and create music with an interactive music controller; DJs and mobile entertainers looking for a new way to engage an audience and trigger music clips by breaking laser beams; consumers interested in recreational music making and a new way to interact with music; and educators who are trying to reach special needs kids or captivate any child interested in making music.

Play, Create, Control

Beamz Studio Software allows artists to edit any of the interactive songs created by Beamz composers or actually create interactive versions of their own songs for fans to experience their music in an extraordinary way using the Beamz Player laser controller. With the success of top musicians using the Beamz Studio Software to create original music, the company is in the midst of developing a formalized artist program to collaborate with musicians interested in creating new content for the Beamz Player. Artists such as Craig Chaquico have been performing with the Beamz Player since December 2009 to highlight the product’s cool visual effects on stage. David Ellefson and Euge Groove have released interactive albums with original songs for the Beamz Player platform.

With Beamz DJ software, DJs may wow an audience using visual triggers to control MIDI effects and hot cues of their favorite tracks. The software also enables simultaneous control of lighting applications via keystroke command mapping. Adding the Beamz Player as a trigger device elevates the DJs interaction with the audience, bringing more attention to the talents, creativity and artistry of the DJ. The Beamz DJ Software is a middleware application that enables up to 54 simultaneous MIDI and keystroke command communications between the Beamz laser controller and DJ applications and lighting control applications.

Craig Chaquico has engaged and inspired two generations of pop music fans, first as the lead guitarist and prolific principal song writer for Jefferson Starship/Starship, which has produced 20 Gold records. And as an award winning, Grammy nominated solo contemporary instrumental artist, songwriter, producer, and band leader again at the top of the national charts in a fourth decade.
Electric bassist David Ellefson of Megadeth has become a mainstay in the rock and metal communities now for over 25 years. Internationally acclaimed, David’s work has garnered him eight Grammy nominations, multiple gold and platinum records originating from over 20 studio albums and countless world tours.

Euge Groove is a contemporary jazz artist. His album Born2Groove debuted at #1 and spent 18 months on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart. Euge Groove and Beamz Interactive released the interactive album GROOVE ON THIS! in August 2010 and he conducted a national tour to promote the album. To purchase GROOVE ON THIS! or catch an upcoming performance, visit www.thebeamz.com or www.eugegroove.com.

With over-the-top playing and riveting live performances, Tommy Bolan is described as “One of the Most Insane Shredders of All Time.” As lead singer and guitarist for NYC, Tommy plays slammin’, shreddin’, heavy groove-laden rock layered with fierce vocals. Tommy is best known for his Gold and Platinum selling work with the critically acclaimed metal band Warlock and Freight Train Jane.

As Chief Creative Officer, Jerry Riopelle leads the content creation for the Beamz Interactive team and product development. As the visionary and inventor of the Beamz, Jerry has taken his 40+ years experience as an accomplished musician, songwriter and producer, and funneled it into the creation of one of the world’s most innovative new products.

“With our Beamz Studio Software musicians may easily assign their own sounds, effects, loops, rhythms and samples to each of the laser beams and begin composing their own original interactive music,” said Beamz Interactive CEO Charles Mollo. “It’s been really exciting to see the buzz that these artists are creating with our product. Our new Beamz Software Developer’s Kit allows developers to integrate the protocols to directly communicate and control the Beamz Player from their respective applications, which brings exciting opportunities for our customers, especially musicians and DJs.”

About Beamz Interactive
Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Beamz Interactive, Inc. is an interactive music products company that develops innovative music making and music entertainment products that enable people of all ages and skill levels to play music. Its premier consumer product, the Beamz Player, is an affordable new musical product that allows people to make music by simply passing their hands through any of the laser beams that each triggers different streams of musical notes and sounds. Beamz players can access over a hundred songs, both originals and top hits, for inspiration to create their own music. Beginners and children can play with ease, while more experienced musicians will be amazed at its limitless possibilities to arrange, compose, produce and record music. Powered by a computer through a USB port, the Beamz is easy to install and begin using – reading music is not required. The interactive songs included with the Beamz Player and the additional songs available on the Beamz web site were created using the Beamz Studio software. Beamz Interactive’s technology portfolio includes multiple patents, patents pending and trade secrets covering interactive music, software, laser-based controllers, gaming applications, and related designs and devices. The company also offers a Beamz Software Developer’s Kit (Beamz SDK) for Windows, Mac and Linux so software developers and hardware manufacturers can enable their products to work with Beamz technologies giving them the ability to write applications, games, and utilities for the patented Beamz hardware devices. Beamz products can be purchased through www.thebeamz.com. Check out the Beamz video to see how it works or view the Beamz video gallery.

Artist Appearances & Demonstrations

Anaheim, CA – January 12, 2010 – Beamz Interactive, an interactive music products company, today announced Craig Chaquico, former Jefferson Starship guitarist and current #3 Smooth Jazz artist in the nation, is using the Beamz musical instrument to perform, entertain, and record original music in the new Beamz interactive format to inspire fans. Over the past two months, Craig has been touring and conducting radio interviews using the Beamz to perform his #3 Smooth Jazz Hit – SongBird and transition his fans back to his Jefferson Starship hits. At the 2010 NAMM Conference in the Anaheim Convention Center (Booth #6110) Craig Chaquico will perform on January 15 and January 16 at 3pm. He has created new interactive content of original music, which will be marketed to all Beamz users through the Beamz website as well as Craig Chaquico’s website.

In addition, Beamz Interactive will provide a special NAMM take away DVD to present and showcase how artists are embracing the Beamz instrument with their music. The take away DVD will include the Beamz Player Software for users to test drive the Beamz software interface on their computers; interactive versions of new artists’ songs and artist videos from Craig Chaquico, David Ellefson, Euge Groove and the inventor Jerry Riopelle; and MP3 recordings of these artists playing the interactive Beamz version of their original songs.

During a December 2009 performance in Palm Desert, Chaquico rocked the house, shifting his Smooth Jazz mood into a Roswell entrance with the Beamz playing familiar Jefferson Starship sounds. “The Beamz is an extraordinary musical instrument that adds another dimension and fun to any performance – including an exciting visual laser element and the ability to jam solos on different instruments simply by waving my hands on stage through the lasers,” said Craig Chaquico, former Jefferson Starship guitarist and current #3 Smooth Jazz artist in the nation. “I am receiving an overwhelmingly positive response while touring with the Beamz, both live at my concerts and on the radio. Playing the Beamz engages audiences and adds a whole new flair to my performances. My fans are digging this new interactive electronic music experience.”

“Craig has been an amazing advocate for our product,” said Beamz Interactive CEO Charles Mollo. “His showmanship and ability to use the Beamz in a dramatic and high energy way has dazzled fans and continues to build intrigue for new Beamz players. Craig has inadvertently become a spokesperson for selling our musical instrument and increasing adoption for those people who love music, but do not have the time to learn how to read music or play a traditional instrument.”

How the Beamz Works

The Beamz is an amazing interactive musical instrument that anyone can play. It allows you to create music by passing your hands through six laser beams, triggering streams of musical notes. Each beam controls a different, pre-programmed instrument, rhythm or sound. With the Beamz, anyone can enjoy the benefits of musical expression, regardless of musical background. Beamz software also includes the option to easily record your music performances – making your own songs for playback as a WAV or Windows Media File. The Beamz includes two music CDs, featuring 30 free original interactive Beamz songs from a variety of music categories or genres including rock, jazz, blues, reggae, country, hip hop, Latin and classical. The Beamz website offers a music library with over a hundred different songs, including original, top hits and kids songs, for purchase. In addition, players can now access a new interactive music game using the Beamz called ShadowBeamz, recently launched at CES. ShadowBeamz can be downloaded at www.theBeamz.com for FREE.

“I like to take my listeners on a musical journey,” added Craig Chaquico. “Beamz has been the perfect addition to help me share my musical journey on stage. It has also brought tons of fun to my family and I am excited to take it with me on many hospital music performances to help patients experience the joy of playing music even if they are physically limited or have no prior music background.”

About Beamz
Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Beamz Interactive, Inc. is an interactive music products company that develops innovative musical instruments and music software to enable people of all ages and skill levels to play music. Its premier product, the Beamz, is an affordable new musical instrument that allows people to make music by simply passing their hands through any of the six laser beams that each triggers different streams of musical notes and sounds. Beamz players can access over a hundred songs, both originals and top hits, for inspiration to create their own music. Beginners and children can play with ease, while more experienced musicians will be amazed at its limitless possibilities to arrange, compose, produce and record music. Powered by a computer through a USB port, the Beamz is easy to install and begin using – reading music is not required. Beamz Studio software, a tool that gives users the ability to compose interactive music with the Beamz, is included with Beamz Professional at no extra charge along with a DLS collection of unique Beamz music clips. Beamz Interactive’s technology portfolio includes multiple patents, patents pending and trade secrets covering interactive music, software, laser-based controllers, gaming applications, and related designs and devices. Beamz products can be purchased through www.thebeamz.com.