Casio Celebrates Winner Of Guitar Center's Singer-Songwriter 4 Artist Discovery Program

Lanita Smith of Memphis to Receive Numerous Prizes Including Casio Privia Digital Piano

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Mar 11, 2015, 11:30 ET

DOVER, N.J., March 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Casio America, Inc., a leading electronic musical instrument provider, is proud to celebrate the winner of the fourth installment of Guitar Center's Singer-Songwriter artist discovery program. Lanita Smith of Memphis, TN competed for the grand prize on Friday, March 6, 2015 at the Guitar Center Singer-Songwriter 4 Grand Finals at the Troubadour in West Hollywood along with four other talented singer-songwriters. As a sponsor of this program, Casio awarded all five finalists a Casio Privia digital piano to further perfect their musical skills.

"The ability to help foster budding musicians is very important to Casio and we are eager to hear what all of the artists in the Singer-Songwriter 4 Grand Finals will create using our Privia digital pianos," said Stephen Schmidt, Vice President of Casio's Electronic Musical Instrument Division. "Guitar Center has done incredible work creating opportunities for aspiring musicians to not only get exposure for their craft but also to help jump-start their careers. We are extremely excited to have been a part of this event."

Guitar Center's Singer-Songwriter 4 launched in September 2014 and offers aspiring singer-songwriters across the country the chance to take their careers to the next level. Finalists performed in front of legendary Grammy Winning Producer and program judge Don Was for their shot at the grand prize which included a chance to record a 4-song EP with Was and mentorship from Grammy Winning Singer-Songwriter Colbie Caillat. Finalists also received a number of various prizes, opportunities, and products from numerous event partners and sponsors.

"Guitar Center's Singer-Songwriter has been supporting undiscovered artists for the past 4 years now, and each year the program gets bigger and the talents gets better. We are so proud to be working with legendary producer Don Was, Grammy winning artist Colbie Caillat and the top MI brands to help emerging musicians catch their big break," said Jake Cheung, Manager, Music Marketing & Artist Relations for Guitar Center.

All five finalists received the Casio PX-350MBK, which is part of Casio's Privia digital piano line and comes equipped with Casio's proprietary AiR (Acoustic and intelligent Resonator) technology which redefines the digital piano experience with richer and more genuine sounds. The keyboard features a combination of a new keyboard action and a powerful sound engine to provide an enhanced level of detail, nuance and expression for a superior grand piano experience.

In addition, Lanita Smith, the Grand Prize Winner, received the Privia Pro PX-5S, a genuine stage piano, advanced MIDI controller and performance instrument packed with functions that set it apart from other digital pianos. Also equipped with AiR, the PX-5S delivers acoustic piano sounds with unmatched realism and detail. The power of AiR is also applied to an all new set of authentic vintage electric piano sounds and clavinets that is paired with a powerful new effects engine giving the PX-5S an arsenal of both acoustic and electric piano sounds. Casio's PX-5S even provides the ability to record a 44.1kHz.wav file directly to a USB thumb drive so that rehearsals, performances and moments of inspiration can be easily captured and shared.

The PX-5S piano (MSRP: $1,299) and PX-350MBK (MSRP: $1,099.99) are currently available at select music dealers nationwide. For additional information regarding Casio's portfolio of electronic musical instruments, please visit www.casiomusicgear.com.

About Privia
Casio's Privia line of digital pianos redefines the digital piano category with unprecedented sound quality and performance features in stylish, elegant designs that are supremely portable. Featuring superb grand piano sounds and a new Tri-Sensor 88 note scaled hammer action keyboard and some models weighing only 25 lbs., Casio's Privia digital pianos are versatile enough for any home, studio, or stage. The award winning grand piano sound in Privia has been dramatically improved and now utilizes more than three times the memory of the previous generation for a more natural piano tone. In addition, Casio's new proprietary sound source "AiR" (Acoustic and intelligent Resonator) provides unmatched realism, detail and seamless dynamics for a remarkably expressive and powerful performance. For additional information on Casio's Privia digital pianos, please visit www.CasioMusicGear.com.

About Casio America, Inc.
Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to fulfill its corporate creed of "creativity and contribution" through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casiousa.com.

About Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the world's largest retailer of guitars, amplifiers, drums, keyboards, recording, live sound, DJ, and lighting equipment. With more than 260 stores across the U.S. and one of the top direct sales websites in the industry, Guitar Center has helped people make music for more than 50 years. In addition, Guitar Center's sister brands includes Music & Arts, which operates more than 120 stores specializing in band & orchestral instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and students, and Musician's Friend, a leading direct marketer of musical instruments in the United States. With an unrivaled in-store experience, an industry-leading online presence and passionate commitment to making gear easy-to-buy, Guitar Center is all about enabling musicians and non-musicians alike to experience the almost indescribable joy that comes from playing an instrument. All we sell is the greatest feeling on earth. For more information about Guitar Center, please visit www.guitarcenter.com.

SOURCE Casio America, Inc.