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Well its official, Madison is done.

I'm not going to bullshit anyone, I'm just a normal old metal head who grew up in a poor family and I have struggled along my whole life it seems like.

I wish I had $80,000 a month to dump into magazine advertising like all of my competitors (yes even the small ones) but I don't..... shit I don't have 5 bucks to put into advertising. I tried it once and then after one month I had a hard time paying the bills so that ended that right quick. Hell I don't even know anyone with money and I have never been one to beg so I have always been on my own.

Truth is, between this company and the metal band I was in, it was just to much. My daughter Madison is growing up faster than I want her too and frankly, I just don't want to miss anymore. It wasn't just that though..... this economy really hit me hard. So hard I couldn't pay the guys any more. It just seemed like every month I was letting another person go. These were my friends, my best friends and that shit took a real toll on me.

I loved making amps but I just never could seem to be able to make one amp and be happy with it. I had to keep fucking with it until it was perfect. That cost me more than you can imagine and honestly, it dug so deep into my pockets that in the end, there was no way for me to survive the blow the economy took.

I'm sad to see it all end. Shit man! it was my life, I gave it everything I had plus 80 hours a week for 11 years. I took alot of shit because of the evil looking logo and red light but hey, It was my thing and I could give a shit what people had to say about the amp, me or the company. All you can do is be true to yourself. I made those amps for me first and you second. I’m just happy so many thousands of people agreed with my taste.

The truth is, this business is a bitch. You people know, you people in bands know how fucked this industry is. Between record labels and asshole managers...... shit, the business side of things is just as bad. There is ALWAYS someone trying to stab you in the back. I’m just a country boy, raised in the mountains since I was a little kid. I just never could acquire the knack for “every man for himself” business dealings. I’m a hand shake kinda man and hand shakes aren’t worth anything in this business.

Fuck man, I just want to be with my wife and daughter, live a normal life and just try and pay the bills. I had a good time though and I met alot of very cool people. So many good memories: “the Kerry King incident”…. Sorry dude, we were just drunk as hell. Or the time Gene Simmons bout knocked me on my ass, running into me at namm. Or the time my idol Yngwie Malmsteen was standing 5 feet from me but I couldn’t meet him because my second favorite guitar player (James Murphy) was talking to me about the Divinity amp. Probably my favorite moment was when 3” of blood played in our namm booth, they fuckin tore shit up! Nothing beats watching the amp that I created sit on a stage in front of 20,000 people though. I didn’t pay for it to be there….. people love the way it looks and sounds and that made me feel so good.

I'm sorry Madison is done. I apologize to all of you who believed in this company and more than anything, I apologize to the good friends that worked here...... I will miss you all.

Ron Corrillo was my top man here at Madison. Not only that but he is one HELL of a guitar player in one HELL of a metal band. He believed in this company more than any other and he still does today. He is available to any Madison user for tech support and repair. You can contact him directly at 970-576-2422 or at mandrakron@aol.com

My personal email is tech@madisonamps.com and I'll have for a while I think.

Goodbye…………………………..

Sincerely

Andy Hitch

Thank You
Santi: Thanks for being there from the beginning, the help at namm and for being the best damn guitar player out there with the most positive attitude. Your the best dude.
Rene Benton: Thanks for being there since the first damn day practically. You always stuck with me, even when things weren't going well. Thanks for all of the post cards from around the world. I'm proud to call you my friend. Your one of the best people I know.
Pat (the absence): thanks for sticking with the amp, thanks for the help at namm. I still think the Absence is one of the best metal bands period. Riders or the pleague is one of the best metal albums ever. I'll never stop listening.
Joe (miami Joe): thanks for the great shows down there, thanks for the help at namm. Gonna miss ya.
Al Caldwell: Traveling Black Hillbillies forever bro. "A good livin, thats all I'm searchin for". Man you said it. Who cares about the riches, just a good life, that is all that maters. Your a great person Al and my wife and I will never forget you.
Jaquo and Delawn: I know I know, I still can't spell your damn name right. Thanks for all the advice over the years man and thanks for all the cool conversation Delawn.
Ron, Red and Derek: God damnit dudes, I'm gonna miss watching "wife Swap" during lunch hour with you fucks. I love you guys...............
My family: Dana, my mom and dad and my wife and daughter. Thanks for always being there for me. A man couldn't ask for a better family.
Steve with I Wrestled a Bear Once: Your good people man, thanks for the support and I'm so happy you guys made it, you deserve it.
Cory (Gwar): Thanks for the support dude and thanks for the Jegar on the tour bus after I fucked up my leg back stage. I was proud to meet you and to know you. Your a good man.
Tim (Into Eternity): Thanks for the support bro, you could have used any amp but you chose mine and I truly appreciate that. You are such an amazing guitar player. Keep going..........
Phil Payton: What can I say dude..... oh I know..... "how bout those jerulslim cruisers" hehe........ Fuck phil, known you since we were in school, I'll see you again..... thanks for the support.
Kevin Gordon: dude is there any piece of Madison gear you didn't own? See ya at your wedding fucker.
Past & Present Mandrake band members: Addie, big james, tall james, travis SITCOM, Tony, Charley, Ron, Kelly, Josh and Mike. Fuck man, what can I say?...... best years of my life.

Tomi O Music: Thanks for always believing.

The Vintage Sound: You have been the best dealer a company could ever ask for. Thanks for the years of support.

Mesa Boogie: Thanks for being the only guitar amp company that doesn’t talk shit. Hands down, the best amp company left out there. Good people, good products.

Roland: Thanks for all of the drum loans at namm every year.

Paul Johnson: Thanks for the years of support Paul, sorry it didn’t work out. Still friends?

Mike Byer: What can I say Mike, shit got even harder. Its been a battle for a few years, guess it just added up. I wish you the best my friend, don’t be a stranger.

Eric (Bloodlined Caligraphy) RIP brotha………………..

Immortal Avenger and Judgement: thanks for the support guys.

D Rock (Manntis): thanks for the support dude.

Jason (years of fire): thanks for the help at namm and the support.

Havok: Thanks guys, Havok rules, thanks for being there.

Firehouse: thanks for always inviting us to the shows, thanks for using the gear and most of all, thanks for being such good people.

And to the rest of you who use Madison products: I know who each and everyone of you are. I always kept track of that and trust me…. You put food on my table, you fed my family and for that, I am in your doubt. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Music By: The Absence (Dead and Gone)

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