Nashville's Newest Stars Embrace Yamaha Compass Series Guitars

NASHVILLE'S NEWEST STARS EMBRACE YAMAHA COMPASS SERIES GUITARS

—Distinctive Acoustic-Electric Designs Help SHeDAISY, Wilkinsons Reach Charts—

NASHVILLE,TN (September 15, 2000)—Two of the hottest acts out of Nashville these days have a few things in common. SHeDAISY and The Wilkinsons are both family groups; they're not natives of the country music belt and they swear by their Yamaha Compass Series acoustic-electric guitars.

The Osborn sisters of SHeDAISY have taken their sounds to a growing audience with the Yamaha Compass East.

Compass East Guitar

"For me, it's really user-friendly," says SHeDAISY's Kristyn Osborn, chief songwriter of the sister-trio from Magna, Utah. "The electronics are great, it sounds good to my ear, and I've never had any problems." Osborn uses a CPX15E, the "East" model, which calls upon rich Maple, Mahogany, Rosewood, Cypress and Paduk woods to express a design inspired by the pyramids of Egypt. "The craftsmanship is stunning," Osborn says of the Compass Series. They look great on stage, and for a performer that's very important. I've gotten so many comments."

Kristyn, Kelsi and Kassidy hit Nashville in 1989 as The Osborn Sisters, and burst onto the charts in 1999 with SHeDAISY's debut album, The Whole Shebang (Lyric Street)—a guitar infused disc that earned praise for the sisters' harmonies and Kristyn's adept songwriting.

Like SHeDAISY, The Wilkinsons are a family operation that's brought a new wrinkle to the Nashville scene. Father Steve and siblings Amanda and Tyler hail from southern Ontario, and they brought their Compass Series guitars with them. Steve uses the same East model that Osborn prefers, along with the CPX15S, the Caribbean-flavored South design.

"It sounds wonderful whether it's plugged in or not," Wilkinson attests. "In addition to how great they look, they play wonderfully on stage, and they sound fantastic."

Compass South Guitar

(L-R): Tyler, Amanda and Steve Wilkinson have scored big on the Country charts in the U.S. and native Canada, with the help of father Steve's Yamaha CPX15E East and CPX15S South.

The Canadian trio debuted in 1998 with Nothing but Love (Giant), which featured the hit "26 Cents" and earned more than 20 various country music award nominations. Their follow-up effort, this year's Here and Now, has critics predicting a bright future for the group.

"I love the pickup system," he adds. "I'm as non-techie as it gets, and I love the fact that the ease of play reminds me of what it's like to play a straight-ahead electric guitar."

Yamaha Compass Series acoustic-electric guitars aren't just about spectacular looks. They come to play, with a unique single-cutaway body shape, gold hardware and an array of rich hardwoods. Their solid craftsmanship ensures a rich, articulate tone that sets them apart from other guitars for truly individual expression. When plugged in, the L.R. Baggs pickup system/preamp system combines a bridge-mounted piezo with a microphone, which can be blended for stunningly realistic amplified-acoustic sound.

For more information on Yamaha Compass Series acoustic-electric guitars, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Guitar Products, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail info@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamahaguitars.com.

Please send Comments and Suggestions to: (