Studio Instrument Rentals - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Studio Instrument Rentals (SIR) is one of the first backline companies in America and it has been involved in all phases of the entertainment business. SIR was established in 1967.

SIR’s “Solutions Network” includes 13 facilities all stocked with a large quantity of backline rental inventory, ranging from the latest and most popular items to sought-after vintage instruments. Many of the offices also provide production stages and rehearsal studios.

History

1967 Founders Dolph Rempp and Ken Berry, who were working at Paramount Recording (across the street from the famed Gold Star Recording Studios) are introduced to Artie Ripp, producer for Kama Sutra Records. Artie needs a Fender Precision Bass for a Mitch Rider and the Detroit Wheels recording session. Dolph seizes the opportunity, rents a bass from a local music store and then rents it back to Artie. SIR is born…

Ken and his wife, Joan, soon move out and rent a house nearby, which becomes the first storage facility. Later that year, the first SIR storefront in Los Angeles opens.

In 1971, SIR opens a San Francisco office as Ken and Dolph recognize the explosion of music in the Bay Area. Michael Johnson, originally hired in Los Angeles, heads north to manage the new San Francisco location.

Shortly after, in 1974, Expansion heads east and Michael, having solidified the S.F. operation, is sent to New York City to start up SIR’s next venture. Within a few months, Michael meets Bo Holst, a struggling musician who happened to, one day, walk past Michael and another employee having a hard time loading a truck. Bo, offered to help, was hired, and was sent off in a van to JFK to pick up a PA system which he brought back for the rehearsal studios. Over 30 years later, Bo now runs the show in New York.

Nashville, started in 1977, is the next stop on SIR’s journey and Music City was a perfect fit. Its proximity to Music Row allowed easy access to many top Country, Gospel and Contemporary Christian musicians and soon SIR was a household name in Tennessee.

In 1982, Joe Kernich begins as a driver in NY and soon moves to the Dispatch department. He eventually moves to Florida as General Manager for the Miami and Orlando offices and remains there to date.

Two years later, Fred Rose starts in the rehearsal department for SIR LA working with artists such as Mötley Crüe, The Go-Go’s and Tina Turner, later to become a dispatcher and eventually Operations Manager.

In 1985, Ernie Bartschi starts at SIR New York as a Rehearsal Tech and later that year becomes Rehearsal Manager. In 1994 Ernie moves to Nashville, where he still is today, to become Production Manager.

The next year, Ralph Petrosino starts in New York’s Rehearsal Department after a 6 month internship at SIR while attending the Institute of Audio Recording. From there, he will move on to the drum department for 15 years and is eventually promoted to Production Manager, a position he still holds today.

In 1988, Laura Ford Bartschi starts at SIR Nashville as office manager; a few years later Laura becomes SIR’s first and only female General Manager.

1991 brought Dan Rempp to SIR dividing his time between the Los Angeles and San Francisco offices. He officially joins the team full time in 1996 and becomes responsible for the San Francisco office as well as overseeing most of SIR’s West Coast operations.

2000 SIR opens our southernmost location in Miami, which caters primarily to the Latin Music market, cruise lines and local television broadcasts.

2001 Seattle and Las Vegas locations open to expand SIR’s network to new markets.

2003 SIR Phoenix opens, introducing the Service, Integrity, Resources motto to the South West.

2005 SIR sees a need for backline and studio space in Southern California and opens in Palm Springs and San Diego.

2007 New locations in Portland and Orlando grow the SIR roster. The Orlando office’s proximity to local theme parks and convention center provides a great opportunity for business.

2008 The unveiling of SIR Chicago begins SIR’s expansion into the Midwest.

2009 The launch of sir-usa.com officially declares the unification of all SIR locations nationally. The "Solutions Network" connects artists and production staff to major entertainment markets across the USA through a single point of contact. SIR also opens SIR Stage37, an exclusive New York City event venue.

Locations

With locations in the heart of 13 major entertainment markets nationwide, Studio Instrument Rentals provides backline, audio, rehearsal and production support services throughout America.

Chicago

Las Vegas

Los Angeles

Miami

Nashville

New York

Orlando

Palm Springs

Phoenix

Portland

San Diego

San Francisco

Seattle

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.

History

Locations

See also

External links