Audiobahn hosted a special industry-only sales event July 22 – 24: AMPED 2004 Sun, Sand & Sound. The car audio giant’s headquarters in Brea, CA drew scores of Audiobahn and Ichibahn dealers, distributors, sponsored show cars and mobile entertainment media into a beachy Hawaiian-themed weekend of live action sports, celebrity appearances and autograph signings, awesome food and drink, X-Games-esque motocross air-shows and a very special private concert with the surf guitar legend Dick Dale. Spohn Ranch set up their vert ramp for 2 vert ramp demos with pro skateboarders Matt Dove, Jesse Fritsch, Brian Patch and Brian Howard.
The weekend’s festivities began with a Thursday evening, tiki-torched luau where Audiobahn’s family of distributors, dealers and reps reconnected, ate, drank and mingled to the sounds of a live calypso band. This “Pre-Amped” meet-and-greet warmed-up the guests and got everyone ready for the following days’ excitement.
When I walked into the area I saw Erica Yary from Active Mail Order and got a chance to catch up with her over a burger. I then went over to the vert ramp and and met up with the vert dogs and talked to Jesse Fritsch about his recent knee surgery a bit. Its good to see that Jesse is blasting airs again. Brian Patch was also lurking around and ended up being the one to do some airs for the Audiobahn Distributors. The all climbed up on top of the deck and stood in the background as Patch went back and forth blasting airs for some photos. Brian Patch was taking off for Point X after the demo to practice on the super jump which is one event I want to catch at the xgames for sure! Brian Howard recently took up a position with Site Design Group which sounds like a cool opportunity and it was cool catching up with Dove as well.
Friday was the big day.The Audiobahn HQ backlot was jam-packed with an assortment of the most elaborate custom installs and Audiobahn-outfitted vehicles. Guests wandered among the rides and received loads of free goodies from Amped Sponsors like Active Wear, Black Fly, RockStar Energy Drink, and more. Music provided by the World Famous KROQ kept Amped rockin’ and rollin’.
The feats of star motocross acts and pro skateboarders kept attendees enthralled, making for loads of photo-ops galore. When guests weren’t gawking at the live sports activities, they were attending private seminars spotlighting Audiobahn products, the Audiobahn Marketing strategy, event planning, media relations, and much more. It was an opportunity to allow them inside the Audiobahn empire giving them a closer look at what’s fresh and new with the company.
Audiobahn BMX Factory Team Rider Heath Pinter and Pro Wakeboarders Ricky Gonzales and Leslie Kent made special appearances, signed autographs and took pictures with guests. Even Emmy Award-winner Kristoff St. John of daytime TV’s “The Young and the Restless” signed autographs for his smitten fans near his Audiobahn-outfitted Hummer H2.
Between the live action sports, celebrity appearances, custom install eye-candy and endless food and drink, Audiobahn Amped was a chance for Audiobahn’s distributors, dealers and representatives to strengthen their mutual connection and develop new friendships and partnerships. General Manager, Ray Windsor says, “Amped 2004 gave Audiobahn and Ichibahn management and staff an opportunity to hear from our customers in a forum where open and frank discussion was encouraged. Customers got a look at the Audiobahn strategy and our plans to achieve our business goals.”
After the hum of daytime activities waned and dusk fell upon Amped 2004, guests were escorted into a private concert by the King of the Surf Guitar, Dick Dale. The ever-nimble guitar virtuoso rocked the capacity crowd before dueling guitar riffs and solos with his 12-year-old son Jimmy, a musical prodigy surely destined to carry his father’s torch of melodic genius. Needless to say, the concert was undoubtedly the exclamation point.
“Everyone really enjoyed themselves,” she said. “That’s what made it all worthwhile.”