Music Trades back issues from March 2009:
Tie dealer co-op to teaching and grow the market.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2009; ... WHEN DANNY ROCKS AND Alan Friedman solicited me (and probably half the industry) for a "Best Ideas" session from a retailer's perspective to be presented during the NAMM show in Anaheim, I sent along a promotion that worked for us last year. As I was writing it up, I thought, "Wouldn't it ...
Quarterly retail sales data.(Market Intelligence)
Mar 01, 2009 ... <Pre> QUARTERLY RETAIL SALES DATA% CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS YEARTHREE MONTHSTHREE MONTHS ENDED ENDEDPRODUCT CATEGORY DEC. 31, 2008 SEP. 30, 2008 FRETTED INSTRUMENTS ...
Sales fall as customers gravitate to low end.(Market Intelligence)
Mar 01, 2009 ... AFTER WEEKS OF HOPING FOR a Christmas miracle, the nation's music stores confirmed that they suffered one of the worst holiday shopping seasons in decades. For the quarter ended December 31, retailers responding to the The Music Trades' fourth-quarter retail survey reported an overall 8.3% ...
Survey indicates guitar hero does create "real" musicians.(Industry Briefings)
Mar 01, 2009 ... A November survey by Fender and the music education organization Little Kids Rock suggests that Rock Band and Guitar Hero video games are driving some students toward playing real instruments. Fender and Little Kids Rock asked 812 music instructors nationwide, "In the past year, as a ...
New instrument attracts a million YouTube hits.(Industry Briefings)
Mar 01, 2009 ... A YouTube video of a new musical instrument based on ball bearings has attracted more than one million views. The "BeatBearing," created by Peter Bennet, a Queen's University Belfast student, is an example of minimalist modern design created from chrome, transparent Perspex and computer ...
Instrument thief apprehended.(Industry Briefings)
Mar 01, 2009 ... An Elkhart, Indiana woman is in jail after being accused of stealing musical instruments from the Conn-Selmer plant. Tara Clayborn, 35, was arrested on theft charges after a month-long investigation. Police called Conn-Selmer in December, after a woman ...
Weak January retail sales.(Industry Briefings)
Mar 01, 2009 ... A drop in gift card use and a reliance on post-holiday clearance sales are likely to be the main culprits for soft January retail sales among major U.S. retailers. "January is going to be a particularly tough month," said Kim Picciola, a retail analyst with Morningstar. She said the "gift ...
The seeds of a recovery are present.(EDITORIAL)
Mar 01, 2009; ... "We anticipate moderating economic growth in the fourth quarter of 1.1%, with unemployment levels remaining steady at 5%." The Federal Reserve "Beige Book" January 13, 2008 "My forecast calls conservatively for the Dow Jones Industrial Index to close the ...
Textron exits music finance raising new challenges for retailers: retailers and suppliers scramble for alternatives as a major source of inventory financing disappears.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
Mar 01, 2009 ... TEXTRON, THE LEADING provider of inventory finance to the music industry, announced on December 22 it would exit the business as part of a larger corporate restructuring. The announcement, which affects several hundred music dealers and approximately 40 manufacturers, left people ...
Wireless pioneer Samson: honors retiring partner Joe Hoshino.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE HOSHINO GAKKI COMPANY was one of the first manufacturers to collaborate on wireless products with Samson Technologies. Moreover, Yoshiki "Joe" Hoshino and his company were instrumental in the growth of Samson, and the two companies have worked closely ...
Clavia taps American Music & Sound as U.S. distributor.(FLASH)
Mar 01, 2009 ... CLAVIA DMI AB has appointed American Music & Sound as exclusive distributor of Nord products in the United States. The agreement took effect January 12, and AM&S plans to commence operations on or around April 1. "We are very pleased to announce American Music & Sound as our ...
Jail time in china for guitar counterfeiters.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... THE PROPRIETORS of two Chinese guitar makers, charged with producing and selling counterfeit instruments, are currently incarcerated as they await trial in Beijing. The dramatic legal action came after the four leading guitar makers, Fender, Gretsch, Ibanez, and Paul Reed Smith, called on ...
Record production for Taylor Guitars in 2008.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... AFTER PRODUCING a record 80,000 guitars, unveiling new product innovations, and expanding international distribution, Taylor Guitars marks 2008 as a year of exceptional growth. "We are humbled to have experienced such a successful year," commented Kurt Listug, co-founder and ...
New S.N. Shure Theater pays tribute to company founder & audio pioneer.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SHURE INCORPORATED recently celebrated the opening of the new S.N. Shure Theater at the company's corporate headquarters in Niles, Illinois. Shure Chairman Rose L. Shure and President/CEO Sandy LaMantia participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony and then ...
Honored by Indian government: Sara-Trans.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... SARA-TRANS EXPORT Corporation, a leading manufacturer of bags for the music, sports, and travel industries, was recently cited by the Government Of India's Ministry Of Commerce for achieving the Highest Turnover for Export of Bags. Sara-Trans produces a wide range of quality ...
Behringer observes 20th Anniversary At NAMM.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... JANUARY 2009 MARKED the 20th Anniversary for Behringer. At a Winter NAMM press conference Uli Behringer had the opportunity to reflect on the last two decades: "If anyone had asked me 20 years ago if Behringer would have 3,500 employees around the world and be one of the biggest companies ...
Loud technologies to go private.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... LOUD TECHNOLOGIES will voluntarily withdraw its shares from listing on the NASDAQ stock exchange sometime in February. Company officials said the move was prompted by the high costs for continued stock exchange listing, management time to maintain the listing, and the limited trading in ...
Distribution deal inked with DrumFun: Hal Leonard.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... HAL LEONARD HAS REACHED an agreement with DrumFun to exclusively distribute DrumFun's popular Turn It Up and Lay It Down line of play-along CDs for drummers. The deal went into effect January I and covers all trades worldwide. The Nashville-based company had previously self-distributed its ...
Eventide stompbox rebate program launched.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] EVENTIDE HAS launched a factory mail-in rebate program for its best-selling stompboxes: TimeFactor, ModFactor, and the recently announced PitchFactor Harmonizer stompbox. Effective through April 23, 2009, the purchase of any one Eventide stompbox will be ...
VHT amps: boutique performance, affordable price.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... SINCE THEIR INTRODUCTION to the market 20 years ago, VHT tube amps have earned a reputation for capturing the elusive tonal quality associated with high-dollar boutique amplifiers. Now exclusively distributed domestically by The Music Link and internationally by AXL, VHT is entering a new ...
Allparts new distributor: N-Tune.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... ZERO CROSSING, maker of the innovative N-Tune Onboard Chromatic Guitar and Bass Tuner, has entered into a new distribution agreement with Allparts Music Corporation. Allparts has providing guitar and bass parts to manufacturers, wholesalers, retail stores, and repair shops worldwide since ...
Moves headquarters to Texas: Tradition Guitars.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... TRADITION GUITARS, Inc., has relocated its national sales office and warehouse operations from Tennessee and Indiana, respectively, to the international sales office and warehouse located in Fort Worth, Texas. As a result, Tradition continues to reduce overhead and offer high-quality ...
Rosie O'Donnell selects Hailun pianos for new kids' music school.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AT GRAND OPENING ceremonies for her youth arts school, Rosie O'Donnell thanked executives from Hailun Distribution USA for their generous help in providing pianos for the new facility in mid-town Manhattan. The school, named Rosie's Broadway Kids, has been ...
Now distributing Tabacco cables: JT Musical.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... JT MUSICAL INC. is now the sole North American distributor for new Tabacco professional-grade instrument cables direct from Italy. Over the last 40 years Vincenzo Tabacco has built, repaired, and modified amps for some of Italy's most revered players and is also known for his pedalboard ...
Larrivee uses Rosignolo products: Ventureback.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... BECAUSE A QUALITY investment deserves quality protection, guitar care expert Ventureback has launched the Rosignolo "One Good Name Deserves Another" campaign. Larrivee Guitars is now using Rosignolo Step One Cleaner in its factory for the final buffing process of its guitars. And to help ...
Shipping redefined with RIF: Music Freight.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... ON NOVEMBER 26, 1945, the incomparable Charlie Parker led a record date whose tracks included "Koko," "Now's the Time" (a 12-bar blues incorporating a rift later used in the late 1949 R&B dance hit "The Hucklebuck"), "Billie's Bounce," and "Thriving on a Rift." Some musicians credit ...
Amazon.com vs. eBay.(RETAIL WEB WATCH)
Mar 01, 2009 ... IN A DIFFICULT RETAIL CLIMATE, Amazon.com was one of the few retailers that enjoyed positive results for the fourth quarter of 2008. For the three month period ended December 31, the online retailer posted sales of $6.7 billion, an increase of 17% over last year's results of $5.7 billion ....
Conquest sound sold to Jozaitis.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... CONQUEST SOUND COFOUNDER Larry Spalla has sold all interest in the firm to Jozaitis, Inc. The new ownership is presided over by Jeanna Jozaitis, an employee of Conquest Sound for several years. All Conquest employees will remain with the company at the facility in Monee, Illinois. ...
Courtroom sound system revamped with Audix.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... MICHIGAN'S 54TH JUDICIAL Circuit Court turned to the Audix Micros Series to resolve audio and video problems the court had been experiencing while in session. "The main concerns were that the judge, the court reporter, and the jury were having a difficult time hearing each ...
Fixed bridge Vibrato on Taranaki guitars: Trem King.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... TREM KING FIXED BRIDGE vibratos are now being used on production guitars made by Taranaki Originals of Germany. Taranaki Originals are now available in two configurations: The P-type has three cream-colored P-90-style pickups. The H-type has two chrome humbucker-type pickups. Each model is ...
Publicly traded industry firms.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... <Pre> PUBLICLY TRADED INDUSTRY FIRMS PRICE AS OF P/EFEB. 3, 2009 RATIO Apple Computer Inc. $91.51 17.00 Avid Technology $10.39n/a (Divisions: Digidesign, M-Audio) Best Buy Co ....
Bain takes 40% loss on guitar center.(FOREFRONT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM Bain Capital has written down the value of its investment in Guitar Center by 40%, as of September 30, 2008, citing a "deteriorating economy." Private equity firms like Bain disclose their performance to investors each quarter but the letters are not generally made ...
House of guitars "expo" drives holiday sales.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE HOUSE OF GUITARS in Rochester, New York, hosted a series of "expos" during the pre-Christmas period to promote the choice of musical instruments as holiday gifts. These events provided a kickstart to the holiday season despite the economic conditions ....
Best Buy trims staff, puts music store expansion on hold.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
Mar 01, 2009 ... ABOUT 500 EMPLOYEES at Best Buy Co. Inc.'s Richfield, Minnesota, headquarters have accepted voluntary buy outs as of January 8. The electronics retailer offered the buyouts to most of its nearly 4,000 headquarters employees in an effort to offset lagging sales with cost cuts. Employees had ...
New Georgia location added: Jackson's Music.(RETAILER UPDATE)
Mar 01, 2009 ... LONGTIME YAMAHA DEALER Jackson's Music has opened a new outlet in Buford, Georgia, to complement its stores in Riverdale and Douglasville, Georgia, and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Yamaha Artists Sonny Emory and Chuck Leavell showed up to help celebrate the grand opening. ...
Bookmark, Rieman, and Beacock stores take top honors in High School Musical display contest.(RETAILER UPDATE)
Mar 01, 2009 ... BOOKMARK MUSIC OF PACIFIC Grove, California; Beacock Music of Vancouver, Washington; and Rieman Music of Urbandale, Iowa, are the winners of Hal Leonard's contest to celebrate the availability of its High School Musical 3 (HSM3) songbook. In the competition to see who could come up with ...
Musicorp rep cited for service: Jim's Music Center.(RETAILER UPDATE)
Mar 01, 2009 ... JIM'S MUSIC has named Musicorp Sales Representative Dan Murdy 2008 Sales Representative of the Year. Jim's Music's Rob Joly and Rick Meyers presented an award plaque to Murdy at the NAMM show. Jim's Music Center has been a customer of Musicorp, a leading distributor and ...
Phil Rich named v.p. of merchandise: Guitar Center.(RETAILER UPDATE)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Guitar Center has appointed Phil Rich to the position of vice president of merchandise for guitars and amplifiers. In his new role, Rich will oversee the purchasing and merchandising of all stringed instruments and amplifiers. He is poised to offer vendors and GC stores a unique composite ...
Cascio Interstate Music DrummerFest spotlights world class talent.(RETAILER UPDATE)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CASCIO INTERSTATE Music presented one of the Midwest's premier drumming showcase events with its eighth annual DrummerFest 2008, an all-day extravaganza drawing more than 1,000 attendees. Held November 15, 2008, this eighth annual Drummerfest featured ...
Local musician doubles as repair tech: Bill's Music.(RETAILER UPDATE)
Mar 01, 2009 ... BILL'S MUSIC of Baltimore, Maryland, has made local musician Alex Muehleisen its new brass and woodwind repair technician. Muehleisen has been repairing instruments, including trumpets, trombones, and tubas, for more than three years. He has also been an active performer and teacher in the ...
Go out and get people into your store: the wit and wisdom of KISS's Gene Simmons, how to turn a kazoo into a $400 sale, and other thoughts after spending four days at the NAMM show.(BOB POPYK ON SELLING)
Mar 01, 2009; ... The consensus of opinion at this year's NAMM Show seemed to be that it was no longer "business as usual." Gene Simmons from KISS related that at the opening breakfast on Thursday morning. For those of you who were not there, I took some notes and will share some of the highlights of his ...
Is this what a recession looks like? There were crowds, smiles, and even some optimism, yet the recent economic turmoil unquestionably cast a shadow over NAMM. What does it all mean for the industry and what should we expect in the coming year? In the following pages, we try to explain.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... The news during the weeks leading up to the NAMM Show couldn't have been much worse. In unison, media outlets churned out the same grim fare on an hourly basis: "Christmas sales lowest in three decades," Financial Crisis Deepens, Unemployment and jobless claims unexpectedly spike," ...
2009 NAMM report.(Part 1)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOHNER--Scott Emmerman; Stefan Althoff, Sonor; Klaus Stettler; Clay Edwards; Dr. Hans Braunig; Arthur Cheung; Wu Hsieh, chairman, KHS; Karl-Heinz Menzel, gen. mgr., Sonor. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FENDER--Richard McDonald, v.p ....
2009 NAMM report.(Part 2)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ALFRED MUSIC--Steve Manus, pres; Gabriel Lara, Music Distributors, Spain; Anthony Monzino, Mogar Music. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] L.R. BAGGS--Ryan Angle, Ben GeBauer, John Mooy, Ricky Taylor, Brian McManus, Bo Radis, Tommy Linn. ...
2009 NAMM report.(Part 3)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FISHMAN--Dave Fournier, Chris Di Maria, Kevin White, Jason Cambra. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ALLEGRO FINANCIAL--George Huebner, Meghan Keller, Michelle Roberts, Sheryl Bonci, Vic Richmond, Brent La Mascus. [ILLUSTRATION ...
2009 NAMM report.(Part 4)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ERNIE BALL--Scottie Ball; Sterling Ball; Brian Ball; Mattias Meyer, Musik Meyer, Germany. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM--Mark McCauley, Sylvia Keller, Bill DeWalt, April Solomon, Christopher Bell, Frank ...
Taking the pulse of the music industry.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... <Pre> Based on your experience, show attendance by U.S. dealers at this year's show compared to last year's was:2009 2008 No change11.6%28% Up 5% 3.5%14% Up 6-10% 1.8%11% Up more than 10% 2.7% ...
Rants & Raves--assessing the NAMM show.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... "If consumers, fans, groupies, and other non-trade attendees were kept out of the show, manufacturers could realistically judge dealer attendance, and in turn, evaluate the true value and effectiveness of the trade show. The circus atmosphere makes for an exciting, fun, feel-good event, ...
Alicia Keys and Yamaha announce new partnership.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... INTERNATIONAL MULTI-PLATINUM R&B sensation Alicia Keys and Yamaha, announced a new partnership to distribute piano-inspired sounds and future products. One of the sounds was introduced on January 17, 2009, for an intimate gathering of press and dealers in the Yamaha booth at the Winter ...
The future of online retailing.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FRESH OFF AMAZON.COM'S newest foray into music retail, Amazon Director of Audio and Video Noah Herschman joined Jim Hovey, CEO of American Musical Supply, and Craig Johnson, President and ...
Jupiter honors John Gronemeyer.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] KHS AMERICA president Tabor Stamper (left) presented a Lifetime Achievement award to Jupiter Band Instruments Senior Vice President of Sales John Gronemeyer. Effective April 30, Gronemeyer is retiring from Jupiter after 16 years of service that caps a ...
Roland V-Piano adds new realism and musical expression.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CULMINATING A MULTI-MILLION dollar investment and ten years of research and development, Roland unveiled its groundbreaking new V-Piano at NAMM. The event was headlined by jazz artist David Benoit. Unlike previous loop-based sampling, the ...
Kawai honors top sales efforts.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] KAWAI SALES ACHIEVEMENT AWARD--Hirotaka Kawai, pres.; Cathy Krubsack, Lacefield Piano, St. Louis, MO. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] KAWAI DEALER OF THE YEAR AWARD--Hirotaka Kawai, pres.; Wayne Reinhardt, Schmitt Music, Minneapolis. ...
NAMM's breakfast of champions.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NAMM KICKED OFF its first-day Breakfast of Champions session with Yamaha President Mitsruru "Mick" Umemura, a player on the industry's international stage for more than a quarter-century. In an interview with NAMM President Joe Lamond, Umemura discussed ...
The wit & wisdom of Gene Simmons of KISS.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... FILE THIS UNDER "Now For Something Completely Different." NAMM capped off its Breakfast of Champions with an appearance by Gene Simmons of KISS, whose full remarks (discreetly sampled here) were not rated for general audiences. "I'm going to tell you how you can be making more ...
Percussion Council sets 2009 agenda.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... THE PERCUSSION Marketing Council discussed in its all-member meeting ongoing initiatives to promote interest in drumming. In 2008 PMC's Percussion In The Schools program reached more than 3,300 students through eight in-school assemblies held in October through December. Beginning in 2009 ...
New products from D'Addario.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] D'ADDARIO presented a multitude of new products from all of its divisions including Fretted Strings, Bowed Instruments, Evans Drumheads, HQ Percussion, Rico Reeds, and Planet Waves. Shown are National Sales Manager Peter D'Addario, President Rick ...
Godin honors top sales reps.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GODIN GUITARS presented awards to its top sales performers of 2008. Pictured are (l-r) Mario Biferali, special accounts manager; Greg Hess and Duane Hess, Godin reps for the Western U.S.--2008 Award of Excellence in Dealer Support and Product Training; ...
LP celebrates 45 years.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Latin Percussion hosted a Latin music lover's extravaganza at the NAMM show in observance of the industry-leading company's 45th anniversary. NAMM President Joe Lamond presented LP founder Martin Cohen with a special award, and Cohen was honored throughout ...
Fender teams with Toyota for Road Worn Competition.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fender teamed with Toyota USA to launch the Road Worn Competition, a nationwide band competition engaging musicians, and the dealers who support them, to submit their music for a chance to win a prize package worth more than $50,000. Through May 25, bands ...
Ukulele boom!(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... A PROMINENTLY PLACED Hawaiian Pavilion at the 1915 Pan Pacific Exhibition in San Francisco initiated the country's first ukulele boom. Intrigued by the exotic island territory (not yet a state), the U.S. populace developed a fascination with all things Hawaiian and ukulele sales quickly ...
Mouthpiece maker Babbitt marks 90th year.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] J.J. BABBITI'--Bill Reolein, chmn.; Karl Urban, Urban Plating; Rocky Giglio, pres. ...
Top Samick dealers feted at NAMM.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SAMICK TOP DEALER AWARD--Bryan Hostettler, Greg Durthaler, Piano Solutions, Carmel, IN; Jay Cross, v.p. mktg. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SAMICK TOP DEALER AWARD--Baik Lee, pres.; Joe Onofrio, Onofrio Music, Denver, CO.; Jay Cross, v.p ....
Gator sales rep awards.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GATOR SALES AWARD--Dustin Pesnell, Freed Sales; Mark Stone, v.p./gen, mgr; Jerry Freed, chairman; Jason Jensen; Sammy Serrag. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GATOR SALES AWARD--Mark Stone, v.p./gen, mgr.; Pat Lee, Cowser Lee Marketing; ...
RCF sales reps honored.(2009 NAMM REPORT)
Mar 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RCF PRESENTED AN AWARD recognizing its top sales representatives. Pictured are: (l-r) John Krupa, director of sales, RCF USA; Jason Longobardo, On The Road Marketing, NY; Kevin Famoso, store manager, IDJ Now, Babylon, NY; Arturo ...