Music Trades back issues from December 2008:
Wall Street Journal highlights FTC music industry probe.(Industry Briefings)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The Federal Trade Commission's ongoing investigation into music industry pricing practices was the subject of a front-page feature in the October 23 issue of The Wall Street Journal. Although the FTC never specifically clarified the purpose of its investigation when it subpeonaed extensive ...
The Beatles Catalog teams with Rock Band.(Industry Briefings)
Dec 01, 2008 ... MTV Games has inked a pact with Apple Corps Ltd. to create a new special "Beatles" edition of its top selling Rock Band videogame. The agreement marks the first time the catalog of Beatles songs will be presented in an interactive game format. MTV Games reports that the game was creatively ...
A new marketing opportunity for the industry?(Industry Briefings)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The Las Vegas Art and Ink Tattoo Festival is inviting musical instrument companies to participate in its upcoming show January 23 and 24, 2009 at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa. A spokesman stated, "The Art-N-Ink Festival will feature a select group of world-class artists, ...
Haunted piano in Scotland.(Industry Briefings)
Dec 01, 2008 ... A vintage piano, which reportedly plays itself in the middle of the night, is spooking guests and staff at a historic Scottish country home. The antique 19th century Pleyel piano, once played by Fredric Chopin, is housed in Lennoxlove House, near Haddington. Visitors, staff, and even ...
The dangers of "Net Never" terms.(EDITORIAL)
Dec 01, 2008; ... "Never terms" is one of those wonderfully descriptive phrases that occasionally surfaces in the industry. Typically, it refers to those suppliers who are so desperate for extra business that they muzzle the credit manager, throw caution to the wind, and hand out economically nonsensical ...
FCC rules against wireless mics in white space battle: manufacturers, retailers, and users ponder the impact of more handheld devices operating in the wireless spectrum, and how to cope.(FOREFRONT)
Dec 01, 2008 ... WIRELESS MICROPHONE makers and a broad coalition of wireless users including sports organizations, churches, schools, and theaters were dealt a setback on November 4 when the Federal Communications Commission voted to allow internet devices to operate in the same radio frequency band ...
Samick acquires Seiler piano.(FOREFRONT)
Dec 01, 2008 ... SAMICK MUSICAL Instruments acquired Seiler Pianofortefabrik GmbH & Co. on November 1. The Kitzingen, Germany-based piano maker will now operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Samick. Ursula Seiler, who headed the family-owned concern for the past 15 years will retire, and Samick is in the ...
Alesis hosts NYC percussion showcase.(FOREFRONT)
Dec 01, 2008 ... TOP PERCUSSIONISTS and market influencers were on hand at a recent Alesis product showcase in New York City. Held at the renowned Studio Instrument Rentals facilties, the event served to introduce the growing line of Alesis electronic percussion products. Gregg Stein, global director of ...
At presidential debates, bi-partisan support for SKB cases.(FOREFRONT)
Dec 01, 2008 ... DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL debates, candidates disagreed on health care, foreign policy, taxes, and the judiciary. However they managed to agree on the utility of SKB's Studio Flyer 4U. The product was on the road this fall with Michael Abbott, audio mixer for the Commission on Presidential ...
Jupiter tapped by U.S. Army band.(FLASH)
Dec 01, 2008 ... JUPITER BAND Instruments, Inc., has been selected as the exclusive instrument provider for the 2009 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band. In a partnership with SportsLink, the owner and producer of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Jupiter woodwinds and brass, Mapex drums, and Majestic ...
Loud restructures, cuts 90 jobs, hires independent reps.
Dec 01, 2008 ... NEW LOUD TECHNOLOGIES CEO Ronald Olson has announced a corporate restructuring plan that will cut approximately 90 full-time jobs and realign the company's R&D and marketing staffs. In a memo to employees, Olson said, "Under the new organization, product strategy, development, and ...
Korg USA recovers stolen cargo container.(FOREFRONT)
Dec 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] KORG USA was recently involved in a police case that could double as an episode of popular TV show COPS. During the summer, a cargo container full of new Korg products was stolen from a holding area after being received into the U.S. from an overseas ...
New owner and factory: Calton Cases.(FOREFRONT)
Dec 01, 2008 ... IN JUNE 2008 Calton Cases Canada was sold to Jim Laffoley and a new company was formed to carry on the legacy of craftsmanship and quality in the manufacture of hand-laid fiberglass instrument cases for professional musicians. Calton Cases (North America), Inc. has set up its new facility ...
Kawai "Insiders" blog for owners.(FOREFRONT)
Dec 01, 2008 ... KAWAI AMERICA has launched the "Kawai Insiders" internet blog for Kawai digital piano owners. Hosted by "Barry the Blogger" (a.k.a. acclaimed Kawai concert artist Barry Baker), the Kawai Insiders blog will feature how-to articles, tips, and tricks to help owners get the most out of their ...
Bedouin Soundclash concerts sponsored: Godin Guitar.(FOREFRONT)(Concert review)
Dec 01, 2008 ... IN OCTOBER GODIN Guitars joined with Toyota and Exclaim magazine for the 2008 Exclaim Fall Concert Series featuring Toronto-based, Juno-award-winning rock-reggae band Bedouin Soundclash. A Godin Triumph electric guitar was given away live before each concert in eight major cities across ...
Emerson receives top Chinese hono: Hailun.(FOREFRONT)
Dec 01, 2008 ... GEORGE F. EMERSON, a leading piano designer in the United States and a member of the Hailun Dream Team, has received the highest honor China awards to foreign experts for helping advance the development of Chinese society, economy, technology, science, and education. Emerson was one of ...
Gemstone to distribute Schreiber clarinets.(FLASH)
Dec 01, 2008 ... GEMSTONE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS has partnered with renowned German manufacturer Schreiber & Keilwerth for exclusive distribution rights of W. Schreiber clarinets in North America. "This is a strategic partnership for both companies," said Dr. Gerardo Discepolo, president and CEO of ...
AIMsi integrated with Music-Search: Tri-Technical Systems.(FOREFRONT)
Dec 01, 2008 ... TRI-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS Inc., an industry leader in business and e-commerce solutions, has announced the availability of a direct integration between the AIMsi software and Music-Search. This development enables retailers to access the Music-Search database without leaving the AIMsi ...
$100 Mill. music museum to open in 2010.(FOREFRONT)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), a breathtaking new showcase of instruments from around the world, is on target to open in early 2010. At a recent reception at Steinway Hall, management from the museum introduced their vision for the new institution to guests and supporters. "It won't ...
New piano delivered to Katrina survivor: Pearl River.(FOREFRONT)
Dec 01, 2008 ... THREE YEARS AFTER losing her Pearl River grand piano to Hurricane Katrina, Sylvia Palmer of New Orleans, Louisiana, finally has another Pearl River grand piano in her living room. Palmer, a beloved local music teacher, had made the final payment on her first Pearl River piano one week ...
New York City commemorates C.F. Martin's first factory; Martin's first American home in lower Manhattan now a landmark.(FOREFRONT)
Dec 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A CROWD OF WELL-WISHERS gathered on the corner of Hudson and Vestry Street in New York City on November 7 to recognize the site where the world-famous guitar company was founded in 1833 and to witness the unveiling of an ornate bronze marker to permanently ...
Steinway & Bruce Hornsby join to support fair housing.(FOREFRONT)
Dec 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BRUCE HORNSBY, a 12-time Grammy nominee and three time winner with more than 11 million albums sold worldwide, has collaborated with Steinway & Sons to help support the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), a non-profit organization that is the voice of ...
Share price of publicly traded industry firms.
Dec 01, 2008 ... <Pre> SHARE PRICE OF PUBLICLY TRADED INDUSTRY FIRMS PRICE AS OF P/E NOV. 11, 2008 RATIO Apple Computer Inc. $92.62 17.31 Avid Technology ...
Infor Award honors innovative ROA effort: Rodgers.(FOREFRONT)
Dec 01, 2008 ... RODGERS INSTRUMENTS LLC was among the companies honored for innovation at the annual Infor Excellence in Action Awards, which recognize customers for the use of technology to enhance business agility, drive innovation, streamline performance, and grow profitability. Infor is among the ...
BOSS reaches out to artist community.(FOREFRONT)
Dec 01, 2008 ... TOP ARTISTS in Los Angeles and New York were guests of Roland at two open house events in late October. Aimed at gauging the needs of artists and bringing Roland research and development specialists closer to the market, the "Gear Premiers" also ...
Correction & amplification.(FOREFRONT)(Correction notice)
Dec 01, 2008 ... A headline on page 26 of the November issue of Music Trades incorrectly named Yamaha as the ...
Sam Ash expands in Los Angeles: adds percussion location on Sunset Boulevard, adjacent to Guitar Center flagship.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
Dec 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CONSISTENTLY STRONG sales results have prompted Sam Ash to expand its outlet on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. By early December the retailer will have completed remodeling on an additional 3,500-squarefoot space, bringing the total retail space to just ...
Music fresh start program hosted: Instrumental Music Center.(RETAILER UPDATE)
Dec 01, 2008 ... INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CENTER, a Tucson, Arizona, retailer that focuses on the school band market, has defined its concept of customer service by witnessing the needs of music students from the perspective of a middle school band director. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IMC ...
High-profile ad campaign supports Guitar Center proprietary lines.(RETAILER UPDATE)
Dec 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Guitar Center is backing its proprietary Laguna guitar and Raven amp lines with high-profile ad campaigns in the industry's most widely circulated end-user magazines. The Holiday issue of Guitar World, which was ...
Physician talent show fundraiser: Steinway of Naples.(RETAILER UPDATE)
Dec 01, 2008 ... ON OCTOBER 20, 15 physicians in Naples, Florida, took off their lab coats and played guitar, piano, and even a clarinet for the benefit of two local charities: the Neighborhood Health Clinic and the Steinway Piano Society. More than $20,000 was raised to benefit the Neighborhood Health ...
Bill's Music hosts Roland clinic.(RETAILER UPDATE)
Dec 01, 2008 ... BILL'S MUSIC in Catonsville, Maryland, recently hosted Roland & Boss representative Richard Schatz who gave a superb two-hour clinic on the Boss line of guitar products and effects. Touching on technology, sales tips, and market trends, ...
Industry veteran Peter Becker opens Noble Art Piano; housed in a landmark mansion, new Pennsylvania store caters to discerning buyers.(RETAILER UPDATE)
Dec 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IN THE HIGH-END PIANO universe, much stock has been placed in helping customers visualize the instruments in their living rooms. Peter Becker and his wife and partner Elizabeth Campbell took it a step further. Their piano store, Noble Art Pianos, opened in ...
Thirty-one new hires come aboard: Sweetwater.(RETAILER UPDATE)
Dec 01, 2008 ... SWEETWATER SOUND has expanded its staff with 25 new full-time employees and six part-time employees. Twelve new sales engineers were hired. The new hires bring total employment at Sweetwater to 350, up from 317 at the beginning of the year. "As we head toward another ...
Dealing with customers you hate: when it comes to those incredibly annoying customers who drive you up a wall, forget the "Golden Rule" and apply the "Platinum Rule." It will help you weather the economic storm.(BOB POPYK ON SELLING)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Right now, most music dealers are doing their best to maximize every customer who comes in the door. Some are very easy to deal with, and it's a pleasure to have them in the store. However, very once in a while there s that customer who seems to be a few degrees off-center and with little ...
Measuring the global market: how big is the music products market worldwide, and where is the business being done? Why do some countries present rich sales opportunities while others don't? These are just a few of the pressing questions we wrestle with in our annual ranking of global markets.(GLOBAL MARKET)(Industry overview)(Cover story)
Dec 01, 2008 ... John Lennon caused an uproar in 1967 when he boasted that the Beatles and rock 'n' roll were destined to become more popular than Jesus Christ. Four decades later, his irreverent comments have some support in fact. The United Nations reports that Christianity is he dominant religion in 92 ...
Ranking the 225 largest music products firms: the definitive ranking of the world's top players puts industry sales and performance into perspective and illustrates just how global the business has become.(GLOBAL 225)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The Apple iTunes site lists a staggering 1.3 million different songs available for download. Given such an incredible diversity of stylistic offerings, it should come as little surprise that the global roster of companies supplying music makers with their tools is equally diverse. Aside ...
Behringer's first 20 years: having revolutionized the market by moving production to China, founder Uli Behringer reflects on how to maintain a competitive edge in a changing world.(GLOBAL 225)(Interview)(Company overview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Over the past twenty years, Behringer has evolved from a small garage operation in Germany to a major industry supplier with global sales of $215 million. In the following interview, company founder Uli Behringer candidly discusses how a Chinese manufacturing base contributed to the ...
Clavia DMI AB: Swedish synth maker applies cutting-edge technology to achieve advanced features and vintage tone.(GLOBAL 225)(Company overview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Founded in 1983 by Hans Nordelius, Clavia won worldwide acclaim for its digital drums marketed under the drum brand. In 1995 the company, based in Stockholm, Sweden, entered the electronic keyboards market, releasing the world's first virtual-analog synthesizer, the Nord Lead 1. According ...
Tycoon Music Co.: Thai percussion manufacturer expands globally.(GLOBAL 225)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Given that Siam oak is the favored wood for making congas and bongos, it takes no great leap of logic to see that the world's only percussion manufacturer that wholly owns a factory in Thailand enjoys an enviable advantage. Headquartered in Bangkok, Tycoon Music Co Ltd. also enjoys the ...
Sara-Trans Engineering: pioneering Indian manufacturer redefines price value relationship with broad offering of cases & accessories.(GLOBAL 225)(Company overview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Best known for its vast assortment of bags for the music, travel, and luggage industries, Sara-Trans Engineering is fast becoming a multifaceted powerhouse in manufacturing, distribution, and retail. Founded in 1989, the company employs a staff of 600 and produces 2,300 bags per day out of ...
BG Franck Bichon: adding style and flair to mundane accessories.(GLOBAL 225)(Company overview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Founded in 1985, Lyons, France-based BG Franck Bichon is noted for its ability to reinvent utilitarian musical accessories with a sense of high fashion and panache. Its more than 300 unique products are distributed in 80 countries, including the United ...
Schulze Pollmann: Italian piano maker defies industry trends, posting strong sales growth.(GLOBAL 225)(Company overview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Despite the difficulties faced by markets around the world due to the economic crisis, San Marino-based Schulze Pollmann, a manufacturer of hand-crafted upright and grand pianos, has experienced continuous growth through 2008. After 80 years in production, Schulze Pollmann pianos have ...
Adam Hall GmbH: from flight cases to distribution of a wide range of audio and industrial products.(GLOBAL 225)(Company overview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Founded as a producer of flight case hardware and fittings, German-based Adam Hall GmbH eyed a broader scope in the music industry since its earliest days in operation. Over the years the company grew to become not only one of the world's largest flight ...
Cherub Technology: cutting-edge digital engineering to create innovative metronomes and tuners.(GLOBAL 225)(Company overview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Founded in 1998 by two aspiring engineers, Shenzhen, China-based Cherub Technology started small with a single line of tuners. Today the company is a leading designer and manufacturer of digital musical instruments, tuners, metronomes, pickups, and effects pedals. With distributors on six ...
M-Audio: celebrating 20 years of empowering independent musicians.(GLOBAL 225)(Company overview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Founded in a small California garage in 1988, M-Audio is now a leading provider of creative tools for musicians and a part of multimedia powerhouse Avid Technology, Inc. Over the last 20 years digital technology has fueled a complete cultural revolution ...
JA Musik GmbH: building on two centuries of tradition.(GLOBAL 225)(Company overview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The roots of the German horn manufacturer JA Musik reach all the way back to 1810 and the ancestors of current CEO Gerhard Meinl. Originally located in Graslitz, Bohemia, during the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy, the business grew steadily into the early 20th century, and a subsidiary ...
Best Friend Music Company: serving the Chinese passion for high-end Western music products.(GLOBAL 225)
Dec 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While cramped music stores stocked with low-end products dominate Shanghai s music retail scene, Best Friend Music Company represents exception to the rule. As one of China's premier music products dealers, Best Friend is a testament to the country's ...
Ningbo Orient Piano Corp.(GLOBAL 225)
Dec 01, 2008 ... As of stricter labor laws and rising materials costs changed the face manufacturing in China, Ningbo Orient Pianos Corporation stayed ahead of the curve. Already the world's largest manufacturer and supplier of piano parts, Ningbo Orient became China's first "modern" piano parts company by ...
Mel Bay Publications.(GLOBAL 225)(Company overview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... In the years since Mel Bay Publications was founded in 1947, sales of its flagship Modern Guitar Method series are estimated to exceed 20 million. Prized for its depth of content, Modern Guitar Method established a standard in guitar instruction and trained generations of guitar players to ...
Maxtone Musical Instruments: behind-the-scenes manufacturer serves global base of percussion customers.(GLOBAL 225)(Company overview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Taiwanese entrepreneur Apollo C.H. Hsu founded Ta Feng Long Enterprise Co., Ltd. in 1970. Its primary business was export trading in musical instruments, hardware, machine tools, suitcases, luggage, stationery, and sporting goods. Seven years later Hsu invested in the company's first ...
John Horby Skewes: U.K. distributor expands globally with Fret King guitar line.(GLOBAL 225)(Interview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Since its founding in 1965, John Hornby Skewes has risen from upstart to powerhouse and is now the largest family-owned musical merchandise in the U.K. A double-barreled operation, JHS functions as a traditional distributor in its core domestic market, while on the international stage the ...
Chonwoo Case & Cover.(GLOBAL 225)(Company overview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, Chonwoo Corporation was established in 1986 to manufacture soft-sided cases and bags for musical instruments, guns, and sports equipment. Eight years later the company was licensed to invest and establish a factory in Tianjin, China. In 1999 Chonwoo ...
Todomusica S.A.: nimble & resourceful, Argentinian distributor shows how to find the silver lining in a financial crisis.(GLOBAL 225)(Company overview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Next time you think your business environment is challenging, take a look at Todomusica's. Founded in 1984, Argentina's leading distributor sells to more than 900 businesses including music stores; home appliance stores; pro audio stores; hypermarkets (combination department ...
Graph Tech guitar labs.(GLOBAL 225)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Two decades ago Dave Dunwoodie was mid-performance at a gig in his hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia. Hitting the tremolo bar on his first Fender Strat (he was a Gibson man) during a guitar solo, he was rudely introduced to the risk of string binding on traditional guitar nuts. "I ...
Where to find them: a top 225 directory.(GLOBAL 225)(Company overview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... A&T Trade www.attrade.ru A&T Trade represents over 100 music and audio brands, including Fender, JBL, Ibanez, Korg, Shure, Mackie, Alesis, Soundcraft, Tama, Zildjian, Digidesign, Martin Audio, Denon/Marantz, Martin Professional, Genelec and many more. A&T Trade's ...
Korg USA bolsters marketing staff to spur growth.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
Dec 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] KORG USA, EXCLUSIVE U.S. distributor for Korg, Marshall, and VOX, has announced five appointments and promotions in the areas of marketing, brand management, and retail support. The announcement was made by Korg USA President Joe Castronovo. ...
Polecastro new sales manager: Weber.(PEOPLE)
Dec 01, 2008 ... WEBER FINE ACOUSTIC Instruments has appointed Tony Polecastro sales manager, the company's liaison to dealers and players. Bruce Weber, founder of Weber Fine Acoustic Instruments, stated, "Tony is perfect for our shop. Not only has he worked in music retail and also plays the mandolin and ...
Mantoan to manage international sales: Zero Crossing.(PEOPLE)
Dec 01, 2008 ... ZERO CROSSING, MAKER of the N-Tune Onboard Chromatic Tuner, has appointed George Mantoan international sales manager. Mantoan will manage the worldwide development and distribution of N-Tune tuners. As the owner of MMS Inc., an independent representative/consultation firm ...
Fender collaborates with Jimmy Eat World frontman to create new Tele.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
Dec 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FENDER AND JIMMY Eat World guitarist/frontman Jim Adkins have collaborated to debut the new Fender JA-90 Telecaster guitar. Based on Fender's distinctive double-cutaway TC-90 Thinline guitar, the JA-90 puts Adkins' personal spin on the classic model, ...
Levy's leathers Little Kids Rock straps.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
Dec 01, 2008 ... NEW FROM LEVY'S are guitar straps featuring Little Kids Rock designs. These designs are printed on 2" polyester webbing and come with polyester ends and tri-glide adjustment. For every Little Kids Rock guitar strap sold, Levy's will make a donation to Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit ...
Roland creates innovative electronic marching percussion.(NEW PRODUCTS)
Dec 01, 2008 ... ROLAND'S NEW RMP-12 marching percussion instrument is now available in stores. This latest addition to the Rhythm Coach line of products offers enhanced playability, expressiveness, and versatility for practice and performance applications. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The ...
Wittner's "Fine Tune" pegs for violin and cello.(NEW PRODUCTS)
Dec 01, 2008 ... "FINE TUNE" PEGS from Wittner GmbH present a new "non-slip" solution for the violin or cello player. These pegs retain the traditional hardwood appearance demanded by professional musicians while offering a unique internal gearing system that makes them a revelation to use. ...
New Bullet Cable and connectors: Core One Creative.(NEW PRODUCTS)
Dec 01, 2008 ... CORE ONE CREATIVE has introduced a new range of products targeting musicians who customize their rigs. The new Bullet Cable connector and bulk cable line represent an easy-to-use, dependable, solderless system with a card suit theme that dealers can take a healthy gamble on for holiday ...
New Olsen Audio mic clips.(NEW PRODUCTS)
Dec 01, 2008 ... WINDTECH, A DIVISION of Olsen Audio Group, Inc., has released two new microphone clips designed to adapt to a variety of live sound and recording scenarios. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designed for larger handheld wired and wireless microphones, the MC-5 features a 30mm ...
EleUke solid-body electric ukulele: Chesbro Music.(NEW PRODUCTS)
Dec 01, 2008 ... THE ELEUKE IS a solid-body electric ukulele built to go from unobtrusive to in-your-face as the player's needs require. This uke comes equipped with an under-the-saddle piezo pickup and a 1/4" jack to plug into an amp, mix with effects pedals, and blast anything from punk rock songs to ...