Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary with RCI Starlite
Honoring 250 Years of American Craftsmanship, Freedom, and Heritage
To our RCI Starlite artists, customers, and friends—
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary as a nation founded on freedom, RCI Starlite proudly celebrates another milestone of its own. We recently marked over 25 years of building some of the world's finest handcrafted drums and percussion products.
For founder Romano Cotone, this celebration is deeply personal.
Fifty years ago, during America's Bicentennial celebration in 1976, Romano saw his very first transparent blue Ludwig Vistalite acrylic drum set. That moment sparked a passion that would eventually lead to the creation of RCI Starlite and influence countless drum designs over the past two decades.
But Romano's connection to America extends much further back.
A Family Legacy of Service
Few people know that Romano's family history reaches back to the birth of the United States itself.
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William Horace Nichols, Romano's great-great-great-great-grandfather, served as a drummer boy during the American Revolution in the Boston area.
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His great-great-grandfather, William D. Nichols, served as a Lieutenant in the Connecticut Militia and later helped install the ventilation system aboard one of America's earliest submarines—the double-turreted monitor USS Miantonomoh—at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in the late 1800s.
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Great-great-uncle Walter Frederick Nichols served during the Spanish-American War with the Connecticut Company.
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During World War II, Romano's great-uncles Ray, Howard, and Edward Scholz flew P-47 Thunderbolt fighters over Europe, engaging enemy aircraft in defense of freedom.
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His grandfather, Kenneth Oslattery, worked for Auto-Ordnance Corporation in Bridgeport, Connecticut, manufacturing the legendary Thompson submachine gun and supporting America's wartime production effort.
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Following the war, his uncle Kenneth Oslattery Jr. worked for NASA as a specialized electrician, contributing to the missions that ultimately placed mankind on the Moon.
This is only a small part of Romano's family's long tradition of serving and contributing to America.
Proudly Made in America
There was a time when America manufactured nearly everything at home. While much has changed, one thing has not:
RCI Starlite continues to proudly design and manufacture its products in the United States.
For more than 21 years, RCI Starlite has handcrafted drum shells, components, and specialty products for musicians and drum companies around the world.
Our work has been trusted by legendary artists including:
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Chad Smith
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Jason Bonham
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Tommy Lee
Our microphone stand division has also produced equipment used by artists including:
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Bono (U2)
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Phil Collins
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OneRepublic
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Judas Priest
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Linkin Park
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Van Morrison
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LeAnn Rimes
...and many more throughout the years.
Unlike many manufacturers, we never moved production overseas. Every RCI Starlite product is built right here in America with meticulous craftsmanship and personal attention to every customer's unique needs.
Romano's Final Masterpiece
As Romano prepares for retirement, he wanted to create one final instrument that celebrates everything that has inspired his life:
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America
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Family
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Freedom
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Music
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American craftsmanship
The result is the RCI Starlite America 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Snare Drum.
A True American Work of Art
Each snare drum is handcrafted entirely in America at RCI Starlite.
Every shell is individually built using techniques inspired by traditional stained-glass craftsmanship, making every drum unique.
Each instrument features:
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Handcrafted one-piece shell
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Custom pillar-style lugs inspired by the architecture of Washington, D.C.
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Precision RCI Starlite strainer
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24-strand RCI Starlite snare wires
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Specialized single-flanged hoops
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Exclusive RCI Starlite drumhead featuring the iconic Spirit of '76 drummers
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Individually numbered limited-edition identification
A Collector's Presentation
Every America 250th Anniversary Snare Drum includes an exclusive collector's package featuring:
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Heavy-duty commemorative display/storage case handcrafted by RCI Starlite
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Interior inspired by classic American travel trunks
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Fully padded protective lining
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Custom bronze eagle drum key cast in the RCI Starlite Foundry
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Framed Certificate of Authenticity personally signed by Romano Cotone
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Matching serial numbers on both the snare drum and commemorative case
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Limited-edition Stars & Stripes drumsticks
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Reproductions of America's founding documents:
Every detail was designed to create not just a musical instrument, but a lasting American heirloom.
Extremely Limited Production
This commemorative release will be produced in only:
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20 drums in Series I
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25 drums in Series II
Once these editions have sold out, no additional drums will ever be produced.
Pricing
RCI Starlite America 250th Anniversary Snare Drum Package
$1,899.99 USD plus shipping
This complete package is individually handcrafted, numbered, and built entirely in the United States.
Reserve Yours Today
These collector's editions are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
To reserve yours:
Email: sales@starlitedrums.com
Please include "America 250" in the subject line, and an RCI Starlite representative will contact you promptly.
Phone: (203) 384-1803
Built by hand. Built in America. Built to honor 250 years of freedom.
