Musician, designer, and innovator Ronn Dunnett is the recipient of the International Titanium Association’s (ITA) 2016 Application Development award. The award lauds Dunnett for his work in the development and perfection of a titanium drum shell. Members of the ITA’s executive board presented Dunnett with the award at Titanium USA 2016, the thirty-second annual international conference and exhibition sponsored and organized by the ITA. The TAD award, which includes a prize of $20,000, is intended to distinguish and remunerate work and help support the continued development of the application. “This is my Oscar, my Grammy, my Juno, my lifetime achievement award,” Dunnett said. “But it’s even more than that. It is the ultimate vindication. My work has never been about anything more than the relentless pursuit of quality sound. Awards, particularly in my industry, are often cynical. To receive the ITA Application Development award, especially from an organization outside of the music industry, that is as real as it gets. Recognition that says you’re the leader, you were the first and the best and who or whatever ever else comes after is derivative. It is an award that I am humbled by, but am so proud to accept.” Dunnett has created titanium drums for many high-profile artists such as Carter Beauford, Neil Peart, Stanton Moore, Jason Bonham, John Tempesta, Vinnie Colaiuta, Todd Sucherman, Carter McLean, Jason Sutter, Matt Chamberlain, Joey Waronker, Will Calhoun, Matt Cameron, Ron Bruner Jr., Bill Cobham, Steve Gadd, Matt Johnson, and many others.
