2000, Gretsch entered into an agreement with Kaman Music which granted them exclusive rights to manufacture Gretsch USA Custom and Signature drums. They also purchased the majority of the equipment used to make Gretsch drums. In January 2015, the Lombardi Family announced that Drum Workshop had become the exclusive manufacturer and worldwide distributor of Gretsch Drums. Lombardi stressed that the factory in Ridgeland would remain open and that the Gretsch Family still owned the company. And in 2017, Hal Leonard joined the Gretsch Drums Team as the exclusive US distributor of the Renown, Catalina, and Energy series drums. Gretsch's Custom & Signature Series drums continue to be manufactured in Ridgeland, South Carolina, to this day. Players Some notable musicians that play/have played Gretsch drums are: Kees Konings Bill Bateman Louis Bellson Mel Lewis Levon Helm DJ Fontana Jimmy Van Eaton Micky Dolenz Elvin Jones Shadow Wilson Chico Hamilton Sam Ulano Philly Joe Jones Will Calhoun Michael J Ilnicki Marino Colina Vinnie Colaiuta Matt Chamberlain Mark Guiliana Charlie Watts Max Roach Dannie Richmond Giampaolo Conchedda Ash Soan Tony Williams Phil Collins Stephanie Eulinberg Cindy Blackman Makoto Izumitani Daniel Davison Derek Kerswill Aaron Gillespie Zac Farro Tré Cool Ferit Odman Shawn Crahan Taylor Hawkins Chris Brien Hannah Ford Welton Brad Wilk Matt Sorum Stanton Moore Rob Bourdon DeWayne Quirico Archibald Ligonnière Mike Johnston Caleb Crosby (Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown) Richard Danielson (Vintage Trouble) Steve Ferrone Michael Gallaher Mitch Mitchell Larry Bunker (jazz and studio legend) Keith Carlock Nicole Pinto of Girls In Synthesis Rob Steele (Trampolene) Christophe Calpini Kimberley Thompson Joe Hammer (Space) Scott Underwood Paris Jeffree (Years & Years) Gerry Morgan (James Bay) Mario Ruiz Badge History 1883 to 1971 - The original Gretsch Round Badge design. This was the first badge used on Gretsch drums going all the way back to 1883. The badge was round with GRETSCH written across the top and DRUM MAKERS SINCE 1883 along the bottom. The Round Badge was attached to snare drums and bass drums using a standard brass grommet which also provided a vent-hole for the drum, but it was attached to tom-toms using a carpenter's upholstery tack which therefore left those drums unvented. Final production of Gretsch drums with the Round Badge was in 1971. 1971 to 1979 - The next badge design for Gretsch was an octagon-shaped badge. This brass badge had the GRETSCH logo written in block type with