Music Education Into The New Millennium

A.D.G. Productions was formed, by its owner Andrew Gordon, in 1990 when he created his first book "Outstanding Blues and Jazz Compositions Intermediate/Advanced Level' for Piano. Mr. Gordon, who had been successfully teaching piano and keyboards since1974, decided it was time to write this book and use it with his students. By adding an audio cassette that had each of the songs recorded, both at a normal and a slowed down tempo, the students could go home and practice the pieces along with the tape. This proved a successful practice method for his students and so Mr. Gordon started contacting music stores in the local Los Angeles area to see if they would stock this book. Slowly but surely as more stores ordered the book, Mr. Gordon decided to write a second book and then a third.

Mr. Gordon then hired his long standing partner, Ron Ray, to act as sales director to sell the books to music stores throughout the USA. The business expanded quickly as more and more music stores throughout the country ordered the books. By advertising in "Keyboard" magazine, A.D.G. Productions has built up a loyal following of pianists/keyboard players eager to learn from the books that Andrew Gordon produces.

While exhibiting at the NAMM show in 1995, Andrew Gordon was fortunate enough to meet John and Matt Haag, owners of Creative Concepts, an independent music publisher and distributor with over 25 years in the music publishing business. Creative Concepts decided to help in distributing A.D.G. Productions books and the relationship between the two companies has expanded as each of the company's businesses have grown. A.D.G. Productions has also successfully distributed Creative Concepts products along with publishers such as: Koala, Sher Music, Harrison Music Educational Systems, Vocal Power, Sound Feelings.

In 1994 Ron Ray moved his family back to Canada (his wife is French Canadian), and settled in Quebec. He then went about setting up a sister company in Canada (A.D.G. Productions Canada) and besides building up the dealer network throughout the USA, has concentrated on selling A.D.G. Productions books to music stores and music schools in Canada. A.D.G. Productions now sells to over 2000 music stores throughout the USA, Canada, Europe & Asia.

Through this Internet site, A.D.G. Productions business has expanded with customers from all corners of the world ordering products. Thanks to the help of Mr. William Meacham, a Staff Engineer with TRW, Inc., and webmaster for the A.D.G Productions web site.

Andrew Gordon, besides writing his own books, is actively involved in working with other authors/musicians in producing music educational products of the highest quality. He is always on the lookout for talented individuals that have interesting ideas that can be formulated into a book no matter what instrument or style. Career opportunities may also be available to individuals looking for a career in the music publishing/distribution business.

The future holds great promise for A.D.G. Productions as the products they produce become more widely accepted as first class instructional tools for the music student. As new musical styles are created or older musical styles become popular, A.D.G. Productions would like to be able to integrate these styles into music intructional products.