DIAMOND BAR, CA (01.13.26) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is accepting nominations for its Hall of Fame, honoring individuals whose career-long contributions have enhanced the automotive aftermarket industry.
The SEMA Hall of Fame has a long-standing tradition of recognizing individuals whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, and accomplishments have left a profound mark on the specialty-automotive market. Established in 1969, it pays tribute to business leaders, innovators, media members, and volunteers across the SEMA ecosystem who have shaped progress and created opportunities for future generations.
“The SEMA Hall of Fame represents those who have dedicated their careers to making a difference, both on and off the road,” said SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs Joe Escobar. “Without their passion and commitment to progress, the industry would not be where it is today.”
Nominations are open until Friday, March 13, at http://www.sema.org/hof. Nominations should provide detailed examples of the nominee’s impact on the industry, including specific achievements, leadership roles, and contributions that demonstrate long-term influence and distinction.
Nominee qualifications include:
The candidate must have made contributions that extend beyond the local level and reach throughout the national and/or international level.
The candidate is and/or has been involved in the automotive specialty industry and/or SEMA for a minimum of 10 years, although 15 years is preferred.
The candidate must have made outstanding contributions toward enhancing technology, professionalism, dignity, and/or general stature and growth of the automotive specialty-equipment industry.
The candidate must have conducted him/herself with a high degree of integrity both within and outside of the automotive specialty-equipment industry.
The candidate must be 50 years of age or older by the 2026 SEMA Show or they may be any age if deceased and the nomination is presented at least one year posthumous.
The Hall of Fame inductees will be announced in May and honored during the SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala in July. Contact SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs Joe Escobar at josee@sema.org for more information.
NEW YORK, NY (01.13.26) – Pandora revealed its highly-anticipated annual list, Artists to Watch 2026: The Pandora Ten. For the past decade, the streaming platform has identified a group of ten emerging artists across all genres that it believes will break through in the coming year and shape the sound of 2026 and beyond. Pandora continues to put its support behind the next generation of rising stars and remains dedicated to discovering and amplifying artists throughout their musical journey. This year’s Pandora Ten showcases the artists whose voices embody the creativity, innovation and passion of the future of music.
By leveraging a combination of advanced listening data analysis, along with human curation and insight by Pandora programmers, the platform was able to accurately predict artists’ launch to stardom and lasting impact. Over the years, Pandora’s predictions have included Post Malone in 2016; Lizzo and Dua Lipa in 2017; H.E.R. and Ashley McBryde in 2018; Summer Walker and Rauw Alejandro in 2019; Doja Cat, Roddy Ricch, and Tones & I in 2020; The Kid LAROI and Tate McRae in 2021; PinkPantheress in 2022; Kim Petras and Coco Jones in 2023; Tyla and Reneé Rapp in 2024, Alex Warren and Zach Top in 2025.
“Pandora has long been a destination for music discovery, and we’re proud to continue elevating the next wave of breakthrough artists,” said Steve Blatter, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Music Programming at SiriusXM and Pandora. “Powered by human tastemakers and data-driven listener insights, this year’s selections feature a variety of artists we believe are ready to break out and resonate in a big way.”
Along with the Pandora Ten, Pandora highlights emerging artists across various genres such as Country and Latin.
Here is the next Pandora Ten, the artists to watch in 2026 and beyond. Listen to all of them HERE.
The 2026 Pandora Ten:
Cil- Singing with the kind of soul you can’t teach, Cil isn’t afraid to pour her heart out on a track as she untangles messy relationships, the turbulence of mental health, feelings of betrayal, premonitions of lust, and life-changing epiphanies without filter or apology. The Colorado-born and Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter has unassumingly emerged as a phenomenon on her own terms with a hard-hitting, yet hypnotic R&B Pop sound. Following support slots for the likes of Stevie Nicks and Dua Lipa, Cil is “on the cusp of Pop stardom” (V Magazine) and ready to take center stage. Cil has connected strongly with the Pandora audience on multiple songs from her latest EP, don’t hold me accountable.
CORTIS- CORTIS is the first boy band in six years to debut under BIGHIT MUSIC, the powerhouse label behind global groups like BTS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and is bringing a fresh new take to the K-Pop genre. Their debut album, COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES, is a dynamic five-track body of work that showcases their versatility and bold artistic vision, reflecting their commitment to defy expectations and create music on their own terms. Their first official single, “What You Want,” was released on August 18th of this year and since the album’s release, Pandora has seen almost all of their songs, especially “GO!,” perform very well across the platform and resonate with listeners.
EJ Jones- Memphis-based soul singer EJ Jones is the next rapidly emerging artist to enter the Southern Soul genre, which has exploded throughout 2025 with viral moments, and he has gained popularity since releasing his captivating single “Too Good.” EJ’s unique sound blends a powerful, passionate voice with a timeless old-soul feel, showcasing a sound that resonates across generations. His new original single “Gas Station Love” is a heavy hitting emotional ride through EJ’s mind and soul and is getting dedicated support and spins on Pandora’s R&B stations like PLATINUM and R&B/Soul.
Florence Road- What makes Florence Road so instantly magnetizing isn’t just frontwoman’s Lily Aron rich, oaky vocals, but the dynamic she shares with her best friends, guitarist Emma Brandon, bassist Ailbhe Barry and drummer Hannah Kelly. Shortly after the four of them became alternative music’s most thrilling new band, they garnered a strong social media following with the mixture of silly videos that displayed their friendship and cover songs performances. Since opening for Olivia Rodrigo in their homeland of Ireland, Florence Road has seen strong momentum with their songs “Break the Girl,” “Goodnight” and “Miss” resonating with Pandora listeners across stations like Alt XL, New Alt, The Stack and Alt Pop.
Gavin Adcock- With over 135 million streams on Pandora and dedicated support on The 615: Today’s Country and Country Grit stations, Gavin Adcock is quickly becoming the face of the Country Rock revival. SiriusXM’s The Highway also had early support of five of his songs, and his explosive momentum throughout 2025 has made him one of the genre’s fastest-rising and most talked-about new artists. Gavin was hand-selected by Morgan Wallen himself as the direct support on his 2025 and 2026 tour run and brings a bold, rebellious energy to the country scene with his mix of Southern rock grit and unapologetic lyricism. Known for his viral rise and rowdy live shows, Gavin channels the raw spirit of the South.
Ian Asher- Ian Asher has rapidly risen in the Dance music scene with his signature blend of house beats, catchy vocals, and global influences. The 24-year-old producer gained massive recognition in 2023 with his viral remix of Jain’s Makeba, which became the most-used sound on Instagram and TikTok, surpassing 3 billion plays online. Following up on his success, Ian has since worked with chart-topping DJs like Oliver Heldens on their rework of “Mas Que Nada” and Galantis on their cover of “Runaway (U&I),” as well as global hitmakers like Phantogram on their rework of “Black Out Days (Stay Away).” MIXR, Pandora’s flagship EDM station, first discovered Ian in 2023, with his collaborations now having reached 4.5 million streams on the platform.
Kami Kehoe- Kami Kehoe has never been one to wait for permission. At just 22 years old, the Los Angeles–based singer, songwriter, and drummer has blazed a fearless musical path with her chameleonic, hard-charged Rock sound. Her latest EP Kandy, out now via Atlantic Records, Coup D’Etat Recordings, and 10K Projects, showcases her continued evolution as an artist, driven by the same freedom and fearlessness that have defined her journey so far. Also, appearances with Daughtry and P.O.D. this fall have gone viral, resonating with fans everywhere. Kami has earned approximately 1.2 million streams on Pandora, driven by Hard Rock flagship station, DECIBEL!, as well as continued spins of her single “Dopamine,” on SiriusXM’s Octane.
Kane Rodriguez- Kane Rodriguez, a rising star from Houston, Texas, is one of the artists representing the new wave of Regional Mexican music, gaining the most recognition both among industry peers and within the music community. Kane has spent 19 weeks on Pandora’s Top Spins chart with his hit, “Se Volvieron Locos” and has hundreds of millions of global streams. Inspired by his roots and community, he connects with a bicultural generation through authentic and heartfelt storytelling and his music blends traditional corridos with contemporary sounds. Kane was also one of the top thumbed-up artists on Pandora’s Activados station in 2025, which highlights the next generation of artists pushing the boundaries of Música Mexicana.
Peter Burton- Peter Burton is a California-based singer-songwriter and worship leader whose music leads listeners to hope. Drawing from his own journey of overcoming mental illness, his songs reflect the tension between blessing and suffering, pointing to the faithfulness of God. Through heartfelt lyrics and melodies, Burton shares a message of hope personified in Jesus Christ—the foundation of his life and artistry. Peter has sustained strong streams on Pandora’s New Christian and Today’s Christian Hits.
Pluto- Pluto, born and raised in Atlanta, started writing rhymes at 14 and began self-recording music shortly thereafter. She gained popularity from her 2025 viral single, “Whim Whamiee,” which helped land a deal with Motown Records. Additionally, Pluto has several other viral hits including “Pull Yo Skirt Up,” and “What Da Fuk,” which were all supported heavily across Pandora’s Hip-Hop stations. This past October she released her debut project, Pluto World, and her raw talent, distinct voice, and self-made style resonate with listeners and fans on Pandora.
LIVERMORE, CA (1.12.26) – “We had an incredible night for Northern California on Tuesday, January 6th, as GS Distributing officially kicked off the new year with a full house of KICKER dealers from across Northern California and Northern Nevada” Shams Nabi, President Nabi Industries Inc, related.
This decked out KICKER demo vehicle welcomed dealers when they arrived at the GS Distributing location.
Dealers traveled from more than two hours away to be part of a special evening that marked the first KICKER training held in Northern California in over 10 years. The strong turnout highlighted the demand for in-depth product knowledge and the commitment dealers have to continuing to grow their businesses with industry-leading brands.
Nearly 80 dealers packed the meeting area for in-depth presentations from KICKER staff members that included VP Tom Heath, Regional Tracy Focht and Senior Global Trainer John Myers.
Attendees had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with KICKER’s leadership and training team, including Tom Heath, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Tracy Focht, Western Regional Sales Manager, and John Myers, Senior Global Trainer. The session delivered valuable insight into KICKER’s product lineup, along with hands-on training designed to help dealers confidently sell and support KICKER products in today’s competitive market.
Dealers gathered outside to check out this loaded KICKER demo.
With nearly 80 people in attendance, the room was packed with energy, engagement, and meaningful conversation. Dealers were able to ask questions, share feedback, and connect not only with the KICKER team but also with retailers from across the region. The event reinforced the importance of education, strong partnerships, and collaboration within the 12-volt community.
“This event really set the tone for what we want to accomplish in 2026,” said Ron Vinoya, Area Sales Manager for GS Distributing. “Seeing dealers travel long distances to attend and engage at such a high level shows how valuable hands-on training and direct access to our vendor partners truly are. We’re proud to host events like this and look forward to continuing to support our dealers with education, access, and opportunities to grow.”
“We’re extremely encouraged by the level of participation and enthusiasm shown by our dealer base. This event set a strong foundation for the year ahead, and GS Distributing looks forward to hosting more trainings, dealer events, and collaborative opportunities as we continue building momentum into an exciting and successful 2026” Nabi concluded.
ANGELS CAMP, CA (01.12.26) – Driven Marketing, LLC has been appointed by Vault Power as the independent sales representative firm covering the Northern California, Central California, and Northern Nevada markets, effective January 1, 2026. Driven Marketing was chosen for their expertise in supporting brand growth, dealer relationships, and strategic marketing initiatives across the industry.
Vault Power, renowned for its cutting-edge Sodium Ion and Lithium Iron Phosphate battery lineup, also offers pure virgin copper power cable and speaker wire, along with installation accessories. This comprehensive range ensures customers can build complete and reliable power systems from a single trusted source.
“Vault Power continues to push forward with solutions that meet the evolving needs of today’s electrical and highly demanding audio systems,” said Greg Douglas, Co-Owner of Driven Marketing. “The addition of sodium-ion technology gives customers increased flexibility and superior performance options, at a competitive value.”
“We are excited to add another premium brand like Vault Power to our line card,” added Pete Bobsin, Co-Owner of Driven Marketing. “Their innovative approach and commitment to quality align perfectly with our mission to provide top-tier solutions to our customers.”
MECHANICSVILLE, VA (01.12.26) – Specialty Marketing, a Custom Home, and Mobile Electronics Distributor, with over six decades of distribution experience, formally announces the hiring of Scott Campbell.
Scott Campbell
Scott, a 12-volt Industry veteran with decades of experience, will help to better support dealers throughout the West Florida and South Georgia markets. “I have previously worked with Scott Campbell for many years and have always respected the way he interacts and supports his customers, building exceptional relationships for both the Dealer and Vendor. We are excited to have him to join our sales team!”
Specialty Marketing, with distribution centers in Virginia, New Jesey, and Florida currently provide next-day delivery to 95% of their East Coast retailers. They can be reached at 800-446-9820 and offer a best-in-class website www.specialtymarketing.com, with real-time inventory, pricing, invoices and more. Contact them to become a dealer at Specialty: Become a Dealer (specialtymarketing.com)
SHREVEPORT, LA (01.09.2026) – In today’s AI driven and social media world it is more important than ever for members of the 12volt industry to connect with industry members and consumers. These activities are more important than ever to drive in-vehicle automotive upgrades awareness and business into brick and mortar retailers. Consumers can’t feel the bass in their chest or appreciate the separation of mids and highs on a smartphone or laptop.
Many 12volt industry members only use a QR Code to scan a restaurant menu. QR Codes have so many positive ways for 12volt industry members to utilize this positive technology.
This custom Nevada Auto Sound custom QR Code was utilized by Thomas Wing at an AMA Arena Cross event in Reno Nevada.
The 12volt Central Studios staff has created a new tool that works across the board. A high-quality glasses and screen cleaning microfiber cloth, with a custom QR Code, is the answer. Screens on mobile devices tend to collect smudges of all kinds. With this cleaning cloth a custom QR Code linking to a company’s website can be created and printed on the cloth to be seen by users several times a day as they clean their screens. The 6” by 6” cloth fits in a pocket or rests on an office desk. Even used by an installer in the install bay during a head unit installation.
300 custom QR Code glasses/screen cleaners don’t take much space when you’re headed to a show!
Trade shows and consumer events are terrific venues to hand out the cleaning cloth to attendees. Driving pre-event attention to an exhibitor’s booth is also an option. The cloth is also much less expensive, and easier to ship, than T-Shirts. Reps on the road could give a dealer his cleaning cloth to continue visibility for his company’s website.
ANAHEIM, CA (1.09.26) – AIM EXPO is North America’s largest Powersports Trade Show showcasing the latest Motorcycle, ATV, UTV, SxS and E Powersports plus parts, accessories and related business services. January 7-9 are the dates in the Anaheim Convention Center.
Scott Hochmuth-RPM, Shawn Spedding and Fred Isensee (LtoR) ready to kick off Day 2.
JBL Audio has a large presence on the AIM EXPO event floor in Booth 679. Shawn Spedding and Fred Isensee are working in the booth providing live demos and daring attendees to listen to JBL Audio. Scott Hochmuth, Real Performance Marketing Rep Principal traveled from the Southeast to engage with the Powersports community.
Shawn Spedding related “The Polaris 2-Door Ranger is loaded with factory JBL Audio and spotlights 8 RallytBars. The new GEN2 RallyBar is now available in White and features Auracast. Demos really bring smiles and WOW! We have a loaded Benda bobber motorcycle outfitted with Cruise speakers too. It’s been super to spend time with Powersport’s community members.”
The AIM EXPO puts attendees in front of the right people at the right time of the year. Dealers that attend the AIM EXPO know it is best to get in front of aftermarket manufacturers, distributors, service providers and OEMs to learn about new products plus capitalize on show specials. The AIM EXPO puts attendees in front of the right people at the right time of the year. The face-to-face meetings are still the most meaningful and valuable way to do business. THE AIM Expo gathers the North American motorcycling and Powersports industry so that attendees can connect.
LIBERTYVILLE, IL (01.09.26) – Get ready to bring out the best in power with ALL-NEW CRA!
Whether you’re building your first car audio system or upgrading to pro-level performance, the CRA amplifier series delivers the power and precision your music demands. Designed with modern Class D technology and engineered for efficient, distortion-free performance, CRA amps are ready to drive your speakers and subs with confidence.
CRA amplifiers bring clean, efficient power to every installation — from 2-channel amp setups to monster monoblocks. Fully adjustable crossovers, MOSFET efficiency, and an electronic equalizer help tune your sound to deliver crisp highs, rich mids, and thumping bass. Every CRA amplifier features high sound quality connection with strong RCA materials. Feel the difference in sound and upgrade to Crunch CRA!
LAS VEGAS, NV (01.07.26) – Building on decades of audio innovation, Pioneer introduces SPHERA, the world’s first aftermarket spatial audio in-dash receiver to feature Dolby Atmos® playback in Apple CarPlay. To date, in-vehicle Dolby Atmos has been available only in models equipped with Dolby Atmos-enabled sound systems. With SPHERA, Pioneer expands access to Dolby Atmos through an aftermarket solution that can be installed in millions of existing vehicles, delivering an immersive sound experience leveraging speakers already in the vehicle.
The Pioneer Booth 3527 in the LVCC West Hall rolled early on Day 1 of CES 2026.
Following last year’s CES prototype demonstration of in-vehicle spatial audio, Pioneer now brings that vision to life with SPHERA, an Apple CarPlay in-dash receiver featuring Dolby Atmos playback capability. With SPHERA, drivers can stream their favorite music, audiobooks, and podcasts in Dolby Atmos from many popular streaming services1 for a richer in-car entertainment experience with added depth, clarity, and detail.
Live SPHERA demos showed that drivers can stream their favorite music, audiobooks and podcasts in Dolby Atmos from many popular streaming services for a richer in-car entertainment experience with added depth, clarity and detail.
“For over 80 years, Pioneer has achieved many technological ‘firsts’—from the world’s first car CD player to the first aftermarket CarPlay integration,” said Chris Ono, CEO & Chairman of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “SPHERA is the next bold chapter in that legacy. Guided by our corporate mission, ‘Move the Heart and Touch the Soul’, we developed a product that brings the rich, detailed sound of Dolby Atmos that moves the soul, to a solution that can be installed in many vehicles on the road today. With SPHERA, we are expanding access to immersive sound, allowing more drivers than ever to enjoy music with the clarity and emotion its creators intended.”
OPTIMIZED 4-CHANNEL SOLUTION
Pioneer’s SPHERA features technology from Dolby that enables a rich Dolby Atmos experience delivered over 4-channels. SPHERA leverages a vehicle’s existing front and rear speaker locations to create a rich, immersive listening experience powered by Dolby Atmos. The combination of Dolby Atmos playback technology and Pioneer processing precisely manages sound reproduction to provide a practical, installation-ready upgrade path and the ability to add a spatial audio experience in many consumers’ existing vehicles.
POWERED BY PURE AUTOTUNING TECHNOLOGY
SPHERA integrates Pioneer’s PURE Autotuning technology, a proprietary in-vehicle calibration system engineered specifically for the acoustic challenges of the automobile interior. Vehicle cabins vary widely in size, shape, and materials, and aftermarket upgrades can further influence acoustical variables. To account for and adapt to these differences, PURE Autotuning technology precisely adjusts time alignment, frequency response, and channel levels to optimize performance and place the listener at the acoustical center position. This level of accuracy is essential for delivering a Dolby Atmos experience that is true to the creative intent of musicians and content creators.
MODERN INTERFACE AND INSTALLATION-READY DESIGN
SPHERA pairs its audio innovations with a refined hardware and interface platform engineered for real-world automotive use. A vibrant 10.1” HD capacitive display delivers crisp visibility and responsive control, supported by Pioneer’s Quick Swipe interface for fast, intuitive adjustments on the road. Leveraging the large screen size, a split-screen mode reserves a portion of the screen for easy access to key features and controls. The integrated Pioneer Luminous Bar adds a subtle visual signature to the dash, featuring an Enhanced Visual Mode for navigation support and Music Synchronization Mode to sync lighting with your audio. Wireless connectivity keeps the experience streamlined through wireless CarPlay, wireless Android Auto™, and Bluetooth®. Designed for universal aftermarket installation, SPHERA fits a wide variety of vehicles with minimal modification, ensuring that immersive audio reaches drivers without an overly complicated upgrade process.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
Launching at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, SPHERA will be showcased at Pepcom at Paris Las Vegas as well as Pioneer’s booth located in LVCC, West Hall — 3527, where on-site demos will be available.
Pioneer SPHERA will be available in Spring 2026 through Pioneer’s network of authorized retailers, both in-store and online, including Best Buy, Crutchfield, and others. Pricing will begin at$1,300.
For more information about Pioneer SPHERA, as well as other products launched at CES 2026, go to usa.pioneer.
LONG BEACH, CA (01.08.26) — JVCKENWOOD announced expanded compatibility for its innovative Direct Replacement receivers, which now support select 2009–2017 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles with the shipment of ADS Maestro’s new APX-S8-IN1 installation kit.
Introduced in spring of last year, JVCKENWOOD’s Direct Replacement receivers offer a new approach to radio replacement. Unlike conventional installations that often require extensive dash kits—sometimes replacing entire dash panels or climate controls—Direct Replacement receivers are designed to replace the factory display directly.
These receivers feature high-resolution touchscreen displays that match the original 8-inch factory screen size, or in some applications offer a 10-inch floating display solution. Installation is simplified using basic mounting brackets, the Maestro RR1 or RR2 interface, and vehicle-specific wiring harnesses. Factory dash functions such as volume, climate controls, and other integrated features are retained capabilities that are often lost with traditional aftermarket installations.
The APX-S8-IN1 kit is particularly significant, as it provides a radio replacement solution for vehicles that previously had limited or no aftermarket upgrade options.
The launch of the APX-S8-IN1 marks the latest expansion of the Direct Replacement ecosystem, with additional vehicle-specific kits planned for release in the near future.
“We feel that Direct Replacement receivers are the future of car audio,” said Rick Noetzli, Product Manager at KENWOOD. “As we move forward, this approach allows us to support vehicles that previously could not accommodate a receiver replacement.”
The APX-S8-IN1 installation kit is available now from iDatalink.
12VoltNews.com 