OKMULGEE, OK (08.12.25) – SKILLSUSA was at the CareerTech Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology during the 58th annual Trade and Industrial Education Summit, August 4 and 5, at their campus in Okmulgee

The Oklahoma Summit brought together over 4,000 Oklahoma educational professionals for one of the largest and most comprehensive networking events in the state. The conference provided networking, professional development and leadership opportunities for career and technical education professionals.

Bryan Gary, national Co-Tech Chair for SkillsUSA – Mobile Electronics Installation, was invited to speak to automotive technology instructors from all over the state. The topic of discussion was how to better prepare students for the Mobile Electronics Installation competition. Bryan covered several topics including using a digital multimeter, testing electrical circuits and components, series and parallel wiring, remote start and security systems, and doing a vehicle check in (which will be a new competition for 2026).

He also encouraged them to contact MECP for supplemental training material. KICKER provided some lanyards and pens for the participants to take home with them.

Vendors, retailers, and individuals that would like to support to the 2026 competition season are encouraged to reach out to Chris Jack at 310-866-2454, cjackskillsusa@yahoo.com or Bryan Gary at 806-922-1822 bwgary@msn.com.

STURGIS, SD (08.11.25) – At the Sturgis Rally 2025 KICKER‘s presence was centered at the American Flat Track Races and the Kicker ArenaCross Race.

The KICKER Team of Jeremy Wynn and Steven Bambrough, along with Lorin Morrell- MaDDog Media, rolled out of the KICKER HQ in Stillwater OK on August 2nd pulling the large KICKER Trailer display for the 850 mile ride to Sturgis, SD.

Morrell related “We were certainly glad to be back at the Sturgis Rally to work the plan at the American Flat Track Races and the KICKER ArenaCross. This set up really worked extremely well to have a large presence at those venues and benefit from the wide visibility for KICKER branding.”

Once the KICKER trailer was set up with the awning in place attendees were able to come by and check out the loaded Harley Roadglide and Kawasaki UTV for the enthusiast to experience. Morrell related “We had so many people open their eyes wide when they heard the systems.. several people wanted specific model numbers so they could add KICKER gear to their bikes and UTVs once they got back home.”

There was even more exciting news for KICKER during the American Flat Track Racing with KICKER branding around the track. In ArenaCross Bowl Kicker Marine Tower speakers were spotlighted. The speakers utilized were actually KICKER speaker Pods being driven by the PA system. There were many comments that this was the best set up people had heard in an outdoor arena.

Very early Saturday morning, August 9, Jeremy, Steven and Lorin headed south and made the 850 mile ride in one long day as both Jeremy and Steven are licensed commercial drivers.

Planning is already underway for Sturgis next year with even more KICKER presence at The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2026.

Visit kicker.com for more.

Images provided by Lorin Morrell.

SHREVEPORT, LA (08.11.25) – The 12volt Central Studios staff has been showcasing positive news across the 12volt industry for 31 years. Today it is more important than ever to showcase positives across the 12volt industry. Vendors, reps, distributors and retailers must all work together to connect with consumers and let them know the wide variety of products that are available for their vehicles to drive business.

The 12volt industry is not a deck-and-four like it was in the 1960s. Consumers’ cars, pickups and RVs offer such a wide variety of opportinities for upgrades including in-vehicle connectivity, security, dash cams, wheels, tires, graphics, window tint and more.

The motorcycle industry is now such a hot category as evidenced by the recent Sturgis Rally 2025. This town of Sturgis has a population of 7020 people. Over the last 10 days the estimated crowd of bikers on site was a reported 400,000.

The side-by-side market is another growth category available for proactive 12volt retailers. The UTV takeover this past week in Winchester Bay OR was another opportunity that is being driven by UTV enthusiasts with a desire for aftermarket upgrades.

The marine category continues to be a great opportunity for proactive 12volt retailers to connect with a community to make music fun on the waves. Lighting shines brightly in the cove or dock at night.

To drive business in all of the above categories industry members must come together to connect with consumers to let them know the wide variety of products that we make in all of the above categories. It’s so important for 12volt retailers to connect with those communities to drive the in-store experience and provide expert installation. Consumers today are on their smartphones and laptops in this digital era. That said, consumers cannot experience the bass, mids and highs on their phone or laptop. Expert installation in the retailer’s bay delivers a much better result for consumers than the DYI experience.

The 12volt Central Studios staff, with very valuable support from friends and industry members, is on the road and news beat to showcase the much needed positives across the 12volt industry today.

The above images showcase positives from this past week.

SHREVEPORT LA (08.10.25) The 12volt Central Studios staff has been showcasing positive news across the 12volt industry for 31 years. Today it is more important than ever to showcase positives across the 12volt industry. Vendors, reps, distributors and retailers must all work together to connect with consumers and let them know the wide variety of products that are available for their vehicles to drive business.

The 12volt industry is not a deck-and-four like it was in the 1960s. Consumers’ cars, pickups and RVs offer such a wide variety of opportinities for upgrades including in-vehicle connectivity, security, dash cams, wheels, tires, graphics, window tint and more.

The motorcycle industry is now such a hot category as evidenced by the recent Sturgis Rally 2025. This town of Sturgis has a population of 7020 people. Over the last 10 days the estimated crowd of bikers on site was a reported 400,000.

The side-by-side market is another growth category available for proactive 12volt retailers. The UTV takeover this past week in Winchester Bay OR was another opportunity that is being driven by UTV enthusiasts with a desire for aftermarket upgrades.

The marine category continues to be a great opportunity for proactive 12volt retailers to connect with a community to make music fun on the waves. Lighting shines brightly in the cove or dock at night.

To drive business in all of the above categories industry members must come together to connect with consumers to let them know the wide variety of products that we make in all of the above categories. It’s so important for 12volt retailers to connect with those communities to drive the in-store experience and provide expert installation. Consumers today are on their smartphones and laptops in this digital era. That said, consumers cannot experience the bass, mids and highs on their phone or laptop. Expert installation in the retailer’s bay delivers a much better result for consumers than the DYI experience.

The 12volt Central Studios staff, with very valuable support from friends and industry members, is on the road and news beat to showcase the much needed positives across the 12volt industry today.

The above images showcase positives from this past week.

STURGIS, SD (8.08.25) – Custom Sounds is on site, with a large footprint, and is having a great Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis for the 85th Anniversary. Custom Sounds is fully stocked on all motorcycle audio kits from Rockford Fosgate, Kenwood and Hertz. The Custom Sounds Team is certainly jammin’ in downtown Sturgis with bike demos on site for each brand.

Gary Biggs-Momentum Marketing and David Magana from Elettromedia USA are on hand to support Mike Cofield and his sales and installation teams. Momentum Marketing members Ben Pugh and Jimmy Bradfield are also on site for the Sturgis
Rally 2025.

Biggs stated “Mike and the Custom Sounds Team are a well-oiled machine when selling and installing Rockford Fosgate, Hertz and Kenwood motorcycle audio systems.”

Cofield related “I love my vendors and sales reps and I get such great support from them. Everything at the Sturgis rally 2025 has been absolutely great.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the largest in the world and is held annually in the Black Hills and in Sturgis SD the first 10 days of August.

For more see customsounds.com.

STURGIS, SD (08.07.25) – Once again, Kenwood has a very large footprint at the Sturgis Rally with terrific support from The Audio Edge and their team driving sales and installations in the Kenwood setup. Installations took place under large canopies adjacent to Kenwood’s footprint. Momentum Marketing team members Jimmy Bradfield, Gary Biggs and Ben Pugh are also on site supporting brands that Momentum Marketing represents in the TOLA territory.

Chris Hulin and his The Audio Edge team rolled out of company HQ in Nederland TX for the 1380 mile drive to Sturgis early Saturday morning July 26th. He was behind the extended cab wheel and pulling a 24’ trailer filled supplies and accessories they would need for many, many installations.

In an interview with Bradfield, Hulin The Audio Edge President stated “We are having another fantastic Sturgis Rally installing the best Kenwood motorcycle products and accessories. Working together, we have already hit an all-time record on the number of bikes that we have been able to complete and we still have six days until we head home to Texas. Everyone here is looking forward to working together again at the 86th Annual Sturgis Rally next year.”

Momentum Marketing’s Ben Pugh is on site in Sturgis to support The Audio Edge. Pugh stated “It’s been an incredible first rally working with Momentum, The Audio Edge and Kenwood. I’m very excited to see and experience the passion the motorcycle community, our industry and that everyone of our partners have to drive bike business.”

Kenwood’s newest Regional Sales Manager, Josh Bowen, knows the importance of keeping The Audio Edge Team well-fed and has been on Ribeye Blackstone Grill duty at the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Bowen will cover the Central region. “All the guys said Josh’s ribeyes were the best they’ve eaten at 10PM in a parking lot cooked by a Kenwood Regional at a Rally” Bradfield added.

There will be more to come from Kenwood, The Audio Edge and the Momentum Marketing from the Sturgis Rally 2025. Stay tuned to the 12volt Central Studios.

REDLANDS, CA (8.06.25) Tune Time Stereo and Alarm is a very proactive retailer in the Redlands community. Richard Papasin was on site and provided a lot of great information from the event on Saturday, August 2nd.. EMMA USA, WCA and US Acoustics were title sponsors of the event.

Mike Stoeckmann, Tune Time owner was thrilled to have a great turnout and support from the industry. Fred Lynch-Arc Audio, Wayne Smedle-Paragon Sales, who reps products from ORCA brands Focal, Mosconi and MUSWAY plus with Mike Nichols of US Acoustics were on site through the event.

Stoeckmann related “We had 17 competitors on site along with a group of enthusiast that wanted to learn more about car audio and other in-vehicle upgrades. Our business is strong and we plan for long-term activities to keep driving business. We had numerous demo vehicles out front and people really like the demo that I provided in my loaded Tesla. Demo vehicles on site included the GLADEN Pickup, MUSWAY and several loaded demos plus classics.

In-Store events with industry members working together will drive consumer engagement and drive brick and mortar business.

For more see tunetimestereo.com.

MARIETTA, GA (8.05.25) – Vickers AV, a trusted name in high-performance audio and video solutions, is proud to announce the company’s appointment as an official distributor for Prodigy Audio… a premium line of subwoofers, amplifiers and speakers.

Now in stock at Vickers AV Prodigy products are known for their outstanding audio quality, robust construction and consumer friendly features. All Prodigy items are Internet protected and backed by a two year manufacturers warranty… ensuring piece of mind for both dealers and consumers.

“This partnership is a great match” said Will Mahavier at Vickers AV. “We’re excited to offer our customers audio products that combine performance, reliability and value.”

For more information, pricing and or to become a dealer call Vickers AV at 800-375-6050 or visit vickersav.com.

STILLWATER, OK (08.04.25) – Stillwater Designs celebrated the anniversaries of 44 employees recently, which included two 30-year awards and one 40-year accolade.

Jeanne Snyder (Vice President Administration) earned an honor for her 40th year with the Oklahoma company. Earning awards for their 30th year were Glynn Cooper (International Sales) and Jason Sigrist (IT).

KICKER has been celebrating work anniversaries since the early 1980s, and all employees gather for an informal meeting each summer to receive a gift and special wishes from KICKER President and founder Steve Irby. Stillwater Designs has been doing business in Stillwater since 1973, having just celebrated its landmark 50th anniversary in 2023.

Accolades were also given to employees with one, three, five, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service.

Visit www.kicker.com for more.

12VOLT CENTRAL STUDIOS (08.02.25) The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. The weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel is now spinning in Year 6.

The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel rolled for the 332nd time on Friday morning on August 1st. The Wheel landed on the Massive Audio space and the Boosted Build slip was drawn from the jar. An Instagram post of the winning spin slip was posted. A video of the Wheel spin was also posted. 

We will reach out to the winning retailer and let them know the good news John Velez will be sending their Massive Audio Prize.

Spinning out a winner each Friday, a lucky 12volt retailer can win a cool prize and top brands receive visibility across the 12volt marketplace.

12volt brands with a space on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel include KICKER, RDV, PowerBass, CRUX, JBL, Kenwood, JVC, Race Sport Lighting, EBS Audio, King Boxes, Massive Audio, Q Power and VIPER. 12volt News and 12voltBeat $100. cash awards also have spaces on the 12volt Spin-To-Wheel for the winning 12volt retailer.

Past winners of the 12volt Spin-To-Win include…Stereo & Video Center-Tyler TX, The Outlaw Garage-Franklin TN, Exotic Sounds-West Palm Beach FL, Endless Possibilities-Aurora IL., Go Auto Sound in Union City NJ, Al&Ed’s South Bay CA, No Limitz Car Audio in Upland CA, Neil’s Specialty-Eureka CA, Sturgess Customs-Lexington SC, Audio By Art-San Antonio TX, SMS Car Audio in Marreo LA and Sweet Wheelz in Mississauga Ontario Canada, Cartronics in Biscayne FL, The CarAudio Shop in St Louis MO, Exotic Sounds in West Palm Beach FL, High North Customs in Grand Prairie Alberta Canada and AMS Audio in Bakersfield CA, Team QRT in Abbeyville LA and California Sound in Fontana CA and Jackie Cooper Electronics, Oklahoma City OK, MARS Audio-Orlando FL, All American Audio in Nutley NJ, Proline Car Stereo in Brooklyn NY, Custom Shop Miami, Tunes and Tint in Lakeland FL, Mobile Concepts Inc in Mokena IL, Seismic Auto Sound in Concord CA, Brooklyn Car Audio in Brooklyn NY, Audio Solutions in Florence MS, Enhanced Customs in Largo FL, Rayco Auto Clinic, Audio Design in San Jose CA, Go Bass Mode in Florida, Avenue Sound in Freeport NY, Audio Plus in Riverview FL, Stereo Zone in Whittier CA, In-Phase Car Audio in Omaha NE, AutoLife Group, N&H Electronics, SK Customs, Land & Sea, The Audio One, NC Custom Shop,Tint World Orlando, Ricky Smith’s Audio, VIP Custom Woks, Mobile Audio Concepts, Audio Lad, Sound Sensations, Dave’s Stereo, Stereo Design, Badlands Customs, Custom Audio-Erie PA, Voltz Autosports-Bridgeport CT, Infinity Sound and Security-Kissimmee, Autosport Plus-Canton OH, Stereo City Pros in Carmichael CA, Devine Concepts in Naples FL, The Sound Shop in Indian Trail NC, Extreme Performance Audio in Fresno CA, Audio Depot in Arlington TX, Audio Security in Houston TX, Earmark Car Audio and Marine in Lewisville TX, Audio Jam in Bear DE, Stereo City Ontario, Ontario CA, Audio By Art, San Antonio TX, Code Zero Customs in Tulsa OK, Ken’s Car Tunes in Mobile AL, Soundz Plus in Naperville IL, Markland Designs in Lithonia GA, Electronics Plus in Salinas CA, Xtreme Autosports in Santa Clarita CA, Superior Audio Sounds in San Angelo TX, Model Electronics in Ramsey NJ, Texas Dreamz Customs in Spring TX, Wired Electronics in Linden NJ and Intense Car Audio in OKC, OK, Underground Auto in Sarasota FL, Car Toys Tulsa in Tulsa OK,  Real Audio in Erie PA, Go Autosound in Union NJ, DFM Stereo in Ukiah CA, Impact Tint and Audio in Tyler TX, Mobile Sound Systems in Arlington TX, Redline Audio and Performance In Spindale NC, Car Audio Land in San Diego CA, Audio X Custom Car Audio in Florence AL, River Oaks Car Stereo in Houston TX, American Radio Orlando in Sanford FL, Illustrious Customs in Woodbridge VA, Remote Start Pros in Lawrence MA, HiPro Audio in Victoria TX, AudioPlanetNY in Huntington Station NY, Endless Possibilities in Aurora IL, Audio Finesse in Santa Monica, Drive Customs in San Luis Obispo CA, Custom Works, Noblesville IN, AtoZ Detail in West Haven CT, Cars 843 in Charleston SC, CarTunes Atlanta in Atlanta GA, Mobile Concepts in Garwood NJ, Duke’s Car Stereo in Flint MI, Infinity Auto Sound, King Car Audio in Norwalk CT, PopTronics in Baltimore MD, Sanford Sound in Sanford ME,  Angelvip2474 in Draper UT, Dynamic Car Audio in Baltimore MD, Hi-Pro Audio in Victoria TX, Car Stereo Max in Houston, Pro Audio Center in Richland MS, Rhodes Off-Roads in Farmington MO, Model Electronics in Ramsey NJ, Class A Sounds in Athens OH. Just Audio Video in North Providence RI, CT_Custom in Philadelphia, Audio Solutions in Florence MS and The Audio Shop RC in Rapid City SD, DG Motorsportz in High Point NC, ST Mobile in Texarkana TX, AR Custom OC in Orange CA, Temecula Mobile Sound in Temecula CA,  Unique Auto Sound in Lindenhurst NY, D’s Garage in Corona CA and DS2 Mobile Solutionz in Tomball TX, C G Car Audio in Kissimmee FL, California Audio in West Valley City UT and The Action Audio Store in Wethersfield CT, Eclipse Car Audio in Vancouver WA, Electronics Depot Car Audio in Altamonte Springs FL. Car Audio Garage in Pearland TX, Pinnacle Autosound in Lake City FL, J H Audio in Bowling Green VA, The Car Audio Shop StL in High Ridge MO, Anthonys Car Stereo in North Highlands CA, Flynn Audio in Middleton WI, Living Loud Car Audio in Pelham AL, Trail Star Audio in Minnesota, On The Spot Audio in Pennsauken NJ, Animated Car Audio in Essex MD, West Coast Car Audio in Citrus Heights CA, Modified Auto Sound in East Alton IL, Star Car Audio in Hermiston OR, VapeNAudio in Clovis CA, SoundWorks in Millersville MD Eclipse Car Audio in Vancouver WA, J A Custom Audio in Houston TX Jose Electronics in North Hills CA,  Sound Proof Car Stereo in Douglasville GA, Auto Additions in Springfield IL, Elite Car Audio in Hollywood CA, Masters Car Stereo in Greenville SC, Audio Plus in Eden NC, Seismic AutoSound in Novato CA, Car Audio Addicts in Pittsburgh PA and AudioKing Tinting in Yakima WA, Arias Tint and Alarms in Duncanville TX, Odeh Car Audio in Gadsden AL, 12volt Specialist in Newark DE, Cutting Edge Audio in San Diego CA, Southern Auto Fab in Lafayette LA, California Sound in Fontana CA, Big Boyz Toyz in Florence SC, 740 Audio in Athens OH and 12volt Outfitters in Hollywood FL., High Quality Auto Sound, Lawrence MA, Custom Car Stereo SC in Spartanburg SC, Zier Box in Dallas TX, Maximum in Manville NJ, Audio Car Stereo in Miami FL, Mach 1 Audio in Washington MO, Doren Car Stereo in Queens Village NY, Side-x-Side Audio in South Charleston WV, Sound Concept in Nanuet NY, Pda Road Gear in Littleton CO and A-Plus Audio and Tinting  Newington CT, Audio Electronics in Indianapolis IN, Tint and Sound in Frederick MD, Tint World Wilmington DE, VIP Autoworks in Mentor OH, All Out Audio in Killeen TX, Yong’s Audio in Indianapolis IN, Custom Audio Concepts in Lima OH, Clear Vibrations in Quakertown PA, The Outlaw Garage in Columbia TN, Xpert Car Audio in Layton UT, No Doubt Window Tint in Ardmore OK, San Diego Car Stereo in San Diego CA, Smart Audio in Lawrence MA, Car Audio One in Chula Vista CA, Audio Excellence in Orlando FL, Ultimate Sounds 1 in Wilmington NC, King Kong Custom Audio in Albuquerque NM. Manny’s Customs in Stockton CA, OD Car Audio in Pasco WA, Car Tunes on Line in Largo FL, INOV8 Audio in Houston TX, Kartel Mobile Electronics in Waterbury CT, Pro Auto Sound in Hialeah FL Mobile AVC in Brunswick ME, Fabulous Auto Alarms in Passaic NJ, Jimmy_Sound_System in Lawrence MA, American Audio Concepts in Houston TX, Arias Tint and Alarm in Duncanville TX, Big Papas Car Audio in Cincinnati OH, Houston Audio Lab in Houston TX, 901 Sound in Memphis TN, Kurtz Car Stereo in Traverse City MI, Sound By Stephen, Music In Motion in Alsip IL, Current Automotive Design in Sparta NJ, Prestige Sounds in Pompano Beach FL, Mobile AVC in Brunswick ME, Telza Audio in Columbia SC, Limelight Automotive in Webster NY, Victory Lap Auto Restyling East Moline IL, Unique Audio VA in Lorton VA, Builds by Paul in Litchfield AZ, Voodoo Customs in Haltom City TX, Elevated Design in Phoenix AZ, Mobilework/Tintworks in Santa Maria CA, Nappo Car Audio in Houston, Platinum Car Audio in Washington, Ballistic Audiowerks in Smithsburg MD,  Xteme-Car Audio in Bremerton WA, Beltline Motors in Decatur AL, Ultimate Sounds in Chattanooga TN, Santa Fe Auto Sound in Overland Park KS, Soundelux Car Audio in Chula Vista CA, Kartele Mobile Electronics in Waterbury CT, BK Audio in Pasco WA, CenCal Audio in Madura CA, Xtreme Auto Sound in Louisville KY,  Victorylap Auto Styling in East Moline IL, Car Trendz in Alexandria VA, BLVD Customs in Lakeland FL, Audio Systems in Montclair CA, Fitment_nyc_shop in Jamaica NY, King Audio in Norwalk CT. Foss Audio in Tukwila WA, OG Car Audio in Kissimmee FL, Tint and Tunes in Sacramento CA, Dr Dashboard in Evansville IN, The Sound Shop in Chino CA, Extreme Concepts in Albertville AL,The-King of Custom in Longwood FL, Car Audio Depot in Modesto CA and Audio Dreams in Acworth GA, PCH Custom Audio in Long Beach CA, Crazy Ralph’s Car Stereo in Gonzales LA,  Joe’s Cycle Therapy in Somerset MA, Cal Custom Audio in Tracy CA, NWA Audio in Bentonville AR,  XT Audio in Miami, Tim’s Audio in Newport OR, Build’s By Paul in Litchfield AZ, DAW Discount Audio in Paramount CA and M12 Audio in Bluefield WVA,  Jam City Pros in Caddo Mills TX, Finishline Shop in Lumberton NJ, Genuine Custom Audio in Riverside CA,Ballistic Autowerks in Hagerstown MD, Jeff’s Custom Car Audio in Royce TX, Pitbull’s in Houston, Aspen Sound in North Spokane WA, CP Designs in Jarrell TX and D&B Sales in Ft Wayne IN, Precision Custom Audio in Riverview FL, The King of Custom, Active Sound in NC,  Car Stereo Plus in Sumter SC,  Audioworks DE in Newark DE, Active Sounds in NC  Speed Car Audio in Dallas, Voodoo Customs in Luling LA,  BK Customs 616 in Grand Rapids MI, TPD HiFI in Broken Bow OK, HiFi Crusin’ in Hattiesburg MS, Superior Audio Sounds in San Angelo TX Intense Kustom Audio in Brentwod NY, California Audio in West Valley UT, H A  Ross Entertainment, Voodoo Customs in Haltom TX, Absolutely Creative Customs in Boulder CO, Mobile Sound in Temecula CA, Redline Auto Sports in Hicksville NY and Sparked Innovations in Knoxville TN.

Congratulations to all.

WTF……Win This Friday……See the next 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel on Friday, August 8th