Music Trades articles from August 2006

Music Trades archives from August 2006

Assessing the quality of downloaded music.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... Your statements that print music is not downloadable and that "The end product that comes off the run-of-the-mill computer printer is interior to any commercially available book..." are simply not true. In fact, downloadable sheet music is...

Mass-merchants a threat to industry?(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... We are currently facing a major crisis for the independent retailer and eventually the "big-box" stores as well. The numbers of instruments currently in circulation at the mass merchant stores is staggering. This past year Target placed an...

Fishman Loudbox 100 amp: with two channels, 100 watts of bi-amped power, a stack of practical features, and great tones, this little box is a serious contender for the mid-priced title.(new gear)
August 1, 2006... Larry Fishman sort of backed into the electronics business more than 25 years ago, when he couldn't find a satisfactory pickup to amplify the acoustic bass he played at jazz and pit-orchestra gigs. After he designed his own, word got around...

Market intelligence.
August 1, 2006... LIKE VIRTUALLY EVERY RETAIL SECTOR in the United States, the music industry is not insulated from rising interest rates and gas prices. For perspective, consider the fact that every penny increase at the gas pump siphons off $1.3 billion in...

How to get 500,000 hours of labor for free!(EDITORIAL)
August 1, 2006... Through a recent retail survey we conducted, we discovered a breathtakingly simple strategy for any supplier looking to develop a sustainable and significant competitive advantage. As a service to the industry at large, we thought we'd spell it...

High tech giant Bosch pays $420 million for Telex; with acquisition of EV, Dynacord, Midas, and Klark Teknik, $50 billion (sales) Bosch aims to expand in pro audio.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
August 1, 2006... A SUBSIDIARY OF ROBERT BOSCH GmbH has agreed to pay $420 million to acquire Telex Communications, the parent company of Electro-Voice, Dynacord, Midas, Klark Teknik, Telex, and RTS. Best known for its hi-tech automotive components division,...

First Act settles with Brook Mays for $16.7 million.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
August 1, 2006... FIRST ACT INC. HAS BEEN paid $16.7 million by the insurers for Brook Mays Music to settle a civil lawsuit filed in 2003 against the Dallas, Texas, musical instrument retailer and rental company. A unanimous 2005 jury verdict issued in U.S....

Efforts to place guitar in school music programs gain ground: Guitar & Accessories Manufacturers Association.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
August 1, 2006... FOR MORE THAN a decade, GAMA, The Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association, in conjunction with its partners NAMM and MENC, has provided guitar training to school music teachers at the Teacher Guitar Workshop Program. The program has grown...

Gibson acquires Deutsche Wurlitzer: Wurlitzer trademark now owned by single firm as guitar maker takes over leading juke box and vending machine company.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
August 1, 2006... GIBSON GUITAR CORP. has acquired Deutsche Wurlitzer from Nelson Group Overseas, part of the Nelson Group of Companies based in Sydney, Australia. The deal brings the Wurlitzer Jukebox and Vending Electronics brand wholly under the Gibson banner...

Pearl River CEO Rich speaks at Wharton School.(FLASH)
August 1, 2006... AL RICH, CEO, PEARL RIVER Piano Group America, spoke recently at the fourth annual Wharton China Business Forum entitled "Global Alliances: Forging A New Era." Held March 25 in Philadelphia, the conference hosted distinguished business...

With consistently growing sales and product line, Samson opens expanded distribution center; new facility triples capacity, enhances efficiency, and speeds order fulfillment.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
August 1, 2006... SAMSON TECHNOLOGIES HAS relocated to Hauppauge, New York. Samson is now located at 45 Gilpin Avenue, with more than 125,000 square feet of space. "Due to our growth over the past several years, we needed to expand our distribution capabilities...

Clavinova at Billy Joel concert: Yamaha.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
August 1, 2006... INSPIRED BY HIS 2001 classical album Fantasies and Delusions, Billy Joel's Symphonic Fantasies for Piano and Orchestra had its world premiere on June 24 at the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina. Joel tapped pianist...

Alfred wins iParenting Media Award.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
August 1, 2006... ALFRED PUBLISHING'S Composition for Young Musicians has been named an "Outstanding Product of 2006" by iParenting Media. The iParenting Media Awards program is dedicated to recognizing the very best products in the marketplace and making...

Sabian featured in Fortune magazine.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
August 1, 2006... SABIAN, LTD., was recently the subject of a full-page feature in Fortune magazine. Fortune's photo-driven "You Do What?" column covers the art and technique of unique occupations, and in the June 2005 issue it focused on Sabian master artisan...

Allen Organ sells telecom business for $92 mill., returns to private ownership.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)(Company overview)
August 1, 2006... ALLEN ORGAN COMPANY will exit the telecommunications business by selling its Eastern Research subsidiary to Sycamore Networks for approximately $92 million in cash and stock. Both Eastern Research and Sycamore design and manufacture components...

PRS Guitars sponsors Hyperfest at Summit Point Raceway.(FLASH)
August 1, 2006... PRS GUITARS was a sponsor of the 2006 Hyperfest Event held July 8 at the Summit Point Raceway. Located approximately one hour from the metro Baltimore/DC area, the raceway was transformed into an "amusement park" of automotive and...

Ovation hosts 4th fan club gathering: Kaman.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
August 1, 2006... OVATION RECENTLY OPENED up its factory doors in New Hartford, Connecticut, to some of its biggest fans from the online Ovation Fan Club, founded by Ovation enthusiasts Miles-Kevin Baron and Alexander Pepiak. Baron, a long time fan of Ovation's...

New firm helps retailers import proprietary lines:Music Dealers Resource Group.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
August 1, 2006... JOHN BROERMANN AND GERHARD SCHEN announced on June 23 the formation of Music Dealers Resource Group, LLC ("MDRG"). The new company, which made its debut at the NAMM Show in Austin, will provide importing and distribution of music products to...

Official sponsor of American Idol Underground: Audix.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
August 1, 2006... AUDIX HAS TEAMED with American Idol Underground (AIU) to help emerging artists get their music heard. AIU is now including Audix microphones in its prize packages to the top-rated artists on idolunderground.com. Top honors in AIU's "Big Push:...

Free guitar lessons through WorkshopLive: D'Addario.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
August 1, 2006... D'ADDARIO HAS PARTNERED with WorkshopLive, the premier website for online music lessons, to offer one free week of unlimited access to online guitar lessons at www.playfree-workshoplive.com. This is the first major initiative between the two...

Five-year warranty on all string instruments: Yamaha B&O.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
August 1, 2006... EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, YAMAHA'S Band & Orchestral Division is offering a five-year limited warranty on all of its string instruments. This includes acoustic violins, violas, and cellos, as well as silent and electric violins, violas, cellos,...

Brook Mays files Chapter 11, receives $10.6 million in operating financing.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)(Company overview)
August 1, 2006... DALLAS, TEXAS-BASED Brook Mays Music filed for Chapter 11 protection on July 11, ending months of speculation about the financial prospects for the 62-store chain. The company owes a consortium of lenders, led by J.P. Morgan-Chase, $41 million,...

Share prices of publicly traded industry firms.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
August 1, 2006... SHARE PRICES OF PUBLICLY TRADED INDUSTRY FIRMS PRICE AS OF JULY 10, P/E 2006 ...

Sponsorship of music for youth: John Hornby Skewes.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
August 1, 2006... JOHN HORNBY SKEWES & Co. Ltd. (JHS) of the United Kingdom has become a sponsor of The Festival of Music for Youth, a U.K. national charity that promotes musical education and performance. Each year a nationwide series of festivals and concerts...

President's Club in Palm Springs: Sherman Clay.(RETAILER UPDATE)
August 1, 2006... SHERMAN CLAY held this year's President's Club celebration at a Mediterranean-themed resort in Palm Springs, California. "What an amazing time we had," said Eric Schwartz, CEO and owner of Sherman Clay. "Located right in the middle of the...

GuitarCenter.com site launched.(RETAILER UPDATE)
August 1, 2006... GUITAR CENTER HAS added an online sales portal with the introduction of Guitar Center.com. Customers who frequent the company's 150 stores can now view and purchase merchandise online. The new site complements Guitar Center's existing...

Dealer adds MBT Lighting equipment: Hames Music.(RETAILER UPDATE)
August 1, 2006... HAMES MUSIC of Gaffney, South Carolina, opened its showroom floors in April to MBT Lighting & Sound, a division of Musicorp. New lighting equipment in its merchandise offerings includes special effect lights, par can systems, and stage color...

Cooper Music unveils new Mason & Hamlin to Atlanta PTG.(RETAILER UPDATE)
August 1, 2006... TO UNVEIL THE Mason & Hamlin Model CC-94 concert grand piano, Cooper Music of Atlanta, Georgia, hosted the largest-ever Atlanta chapter meeting of the Piano Technicians Guild. About 70 piano technicians from across the Southeast attended the...

Zera Musicland acquired: Music and Arts Center.(RETAILER UPDATE)
August 1, 2006... MUSIC AND ARTS CENTER, a a division of Guitar Center, has completed the acquisition of Zeta Musicland, a privately held musical instrument and printed sheet music retailer servicing the Fairfield, Connnecticut, area. The acquisition was...

Craig Johnson promoted to president and COO: Musician's Friend.(RETAILER UPDATE)
August 1, 2006... CRAIG JOHNSON has been promoted to the newly created position of president and chief operating officer at Musician's Friend, the direct-response subsidiary of Guitar Center. He had been the executive vice-president of merchandising and...

Staff expands with 9 new hires: Sweetwater.(RETAILER UPDATE)
August 1, 2006... Sweetwater of Fort Wayne, Indiana, has added nine new members to its staff. Christopher Guerin joins Sweetwater as the director of program development. He was the president of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic from 1985 to 2005. He will oversee...

Gist Piano Center makes front page.(RETAILER UPDATE)
August 1, 2006... RON GIST AND The Gist Piano Center of Louisville, Kentucky, were featured on the front page of the Arts and Leisure Section of the Louisville Courier-Journal. The article was headlined "The Perfect Pitch--Sales Virtuoso Ron Gist is...

How old are your customers? The 12-to-30-year-old demographic is still the industry's prime customer base, but older players offer a rich opportunity for additional sales. What are you doing to address this market?(BOB POPYK ON SELLING)
August 1, 2006... If someone were to ask the average age of your customers, what would you say? 19? 24? How about the oldest? Do you have older customers at all? If your oldest customers are in the 39 to 49 age group, chances are there is a whole bunch of money...

Measurement methods to target your ad budget: forget the old saying the "half of all advertising spending is a waste; the problem is figuring out which half." There are simple strategies for measuring the effectiveness of your promotional efforts. Put them to sue and watch your business grow.(CREATIVE RETAILING)
August 1, 2006... When it comes to the music retail business, nothing beats word of mouth. What about other ways to drive traffic to your store? Let's look at some cost-effective strategies that can help increase customer traffic and allow you to evaluate the...

The Top 200: in a shifting retail environment characterized by the emergence of new competitors, an unsettled economy, and the threat of inflation, the nation's leading retailers posted mixed results. Despite the challenges, the majority remain upbeat about their future prospects.(Company overview)
August 1, 2006... "Retailing is an inherently tough business that requires tremendous flexibility because consumer buying habits are continuously changing. It also demands vigilant cost control, because only the efficient survive." The speaker was Sam Walton,...

Sales per employee: who gets the most from their employees and why? An analysis of the wide range of employee productivity among the Top 200.(THE TOP 200: PRODUCTIVITY BY EMPLOYEE)
August 1, 2006... Some have theorized that the tremendous growth of e-commerce has all but eliminated the need for well-trained salespeople. The reasoning goes something like this: Consumers spend hours doing online research before making a purchase. By the time...

Sales per location: struggling to find the right balance between convenience and selection, retailers adopt a cautious approach in opening new stores and focus on maximizing existing locations.(THE TOP 200: PRODUCTIVITY BY LOCATION)
August 1, 2006... As in most other aspects of life, business tends to swing like a pendulum from one extreme to another. A decade ago, with the emergence of the "Superstore" concept, retailers began scaling up their locations in pursuit of that elusive "wow"...

Nice guys finish first: with "uncompromising service" as a slogan, East Coast Music Mall expands by putting the customer first.(THE TOP 200: TOP PERFORMERS)
August 1, 2006... AS AN ASPIRING 15-year-old guitarist, Morgan Pettinato spent a year doing odd jobs, hoping to earn enough to buy a Mesa Boogie amp. When he finally had saved $1,500, he went to Manny's Music on New York's 48th Street, thrilled at the prospect...

Top growth stories: which retailers achieved the biggest sales gains in 2005?(THE TOP 200: TOP PERFORMERS)
August 1, 2006... Jim's Music Center 33.6% THE BANNER YEAR AT Jim's Music Center, a 6,000-square-foot full-line store in Irvine, California, reflected a more hands-on approach to key management functions by company principals. When family obligations...

Where to find them: a directory of the 200 leading music products retailers.(THE TOP 200: DIRECTORY)(Directory)
August 1, 2006... ABE MUSIC Miami, FL 33161 www.abemusic.com CEO: Ibrahim Gonzalez Abe Music offers a full selection of accessories, guitars, brass instruments, DJ products, percussion, and pro-audio equipment, all available online. ...

Sales data.... State by state: sifting through the data to calculate how much music business gets done in each of the 50 states.(WHERE BUSINESS IS DONE)
August 1, 2006... The steady growth of national brands over the past five decades has had a homogenizing effect on the 50 states. In any medium-to-large U.S. city, consumers routinely confront the identical brands, merchandise, and shopping experiences. Is there...

Castronovo takes helm at Korg USA.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2006... JOSEPH CASTRONOVO has been named the new president of Korg USA. He has been with Korg USA for over 20 years, most recently as executive vice-president and CEO. He succeeds Michael Kovins, who died on May 2, 2006. In 1985 Castronovo began...

Samick names Peter Kim president and CEO.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2006... ON JULY 7, 2006, Balk Lee announced his resignation as chief executive officer and vice-chairman of Samick Music Corporation. Lee recently underwent successful angioplasty but was advised by his doctors to reduce his stress level for at least a...

Houlihan, booth appointed to board: Roland Corporation.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2006... ROLAND CORPORATION has appointed Dennis Houlihan, president of Roland U.S., and John Booth, managing director of Roland U.K., to its Board of Directors. These significant appointments mark the first time in the 35-year history of Roland...

Fitton signs on at TKL as General Manager.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2006... NORM FITTON has joined TKL Products Corp. as General Manager. Reporting directly to TKL President Tom Dougherty, he will lead TKL's strategic planning process and assume management responsibility for the company's marketing, sales, finance,...

Lynda Smith promoted to VP/GM: Roland CK.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2006... LYNDA SMITH has been promoted to vice-president and general manager of Roland Contemporary Keyboards (CK). Since 2002 she has worked closely with the Roland CK staff and district sales managers to manage Roland CK's sales/marketing programs,...

Bruce Vanzo named VP-Finance and CFO: Audio-Technia.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2006... BRUCE VANZO HAS been named vice-president, finance, and chief financial officer at Audio-Technica U.S. Drawing on over 20 years of experience, Vanzo will direct A-T's financial planning in accord with the company's objectives for further...

Fisher new Denis Wick product manager: DANSR.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2006... DAN FISHER has joined DANSR, Inc., as brand manager for Denis Wick products. He will be involved with all aspects of the Denis Wick product line including sales, marketing, and artist relations. An Eastern Illinois University graduate with...

Marten new director of sales: Inter-M Americas.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2006... NEAL MARTEN has joined Inter-M Americas as the company's new director of sales. Effective immediately, Marten will be responsible for commercial and professional direct sales throughout the Western hemisphere. An audio industry veteran,...

Danny Rocks retires after 23 years: Alfred Publishing.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2006... DANNY ROCKS has retired from Alfred Publishing after 23 years to start his own business, where he will continue to offer his expertise in motivational and keynote speaking, sales training, executive coaching, marketing services, and strategic...

John Palmer joins percussion marketing: Kaman/Gretsch.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2006... JOHN PALMER has joined the percussion marketing team at Kaman. He will assume responsibilities as product manager for Gretsch Drums, including creating and achieving brand market and forecast goals, product development, factory communications,...

B-DEC for bass offers accompaniment loops for bassists.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... FOLLOWING THE HUGELY successful introduction of its G-DEC Guitar Digital Entertainment Center last year, Fender has brought similar great features to bassists with its B-DEC 30 Bass Digital Entertainment Center and upgraded the original G-DEC...

Cyborg Digital Delay Pedal from Rocktron.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... ROCKTRON HAS INTRODUCED the new Cyborg Digital Delay Pedal as part of its new Cyborg Digital Destiny Series of stomp boxes. Built around a state-of-the-art Motorola DSP engine and including Rocktron's patented HUSH noise reduction technology,...

Backpackable guitar case covers: Access Bags & Cases.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... ACCESS BAGS AND CASES showcased its new BackStage line of backpackable guitar case covers at the NAMM Summer Show in Austin. "When it comes to protection and practicality, the mating of a great case and a roadworthy case cover is a...

14" China added to Byzance series: Meinl Cymbals.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... MEINL CYMBALS HAS added a 14" China to its Byzance cymbals, complementing the 16", 18", and 20" Chinas that were previously introduced. The 14" Byzance China has a short and explosive sound. Its fast attack makes it perfect for quick China...

Recorder/mic system for acoustic piano: Kawai.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... THE PR-1 FROM KAWAI is the world's first CD recorder and microphone system for the acoustic piano. It allows users to mic and record any acoustic piano or connect with any external sound system. The secret to the PR-1 is the special microphones...

MTD names Power Group worldwide distributor.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... MICHAEL TOBIAS DESIGN (MTD) has appointed Power Group Ltd. of Ontario, Canada, as the exclusive worldwide distributor of its Kingston Series of imported instruments. Michael Tobias, owner of MTD, and Ron Larcombe, president/CEO of Power Group...

Floor protectors for music stands: Hamilton Stands.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... HAMILTON'S NEW Floor Protectors for its KB95 D and E Symphonic music stands are made from a textured vinyl elastomer. They reduce noise from music stands being moved on hard surfaces while protecting valuable floor finishes. Easily slipping...

Dealers applaud new format: CD Sheet Music.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... AFTER POLLING more than 50 dealers, CD Sheet Music has heard a resounding "yes" on the new 9" x 12" booklet format for its revolutionary series of masterworks on CD or DVD-ROM. CD Sheet Music discs transform a PC or Macintosh computer into a...

Drawer rack, portable stage systems: Road Ready.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... ROAD READY has created three smart, compact drawer rack systems. The RRD12UC, RRD14U1C, and RRD 16U 1C feature different configurations of drawers, and all come standard with Road Ready's beefy 3-1/2" caster board for easy mobility. A...

P-O-P drumhead display racks: Remo.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... REMO'S NEW THREE-TIER point-of-purchase display racks will house 150 Remo drumheads in redesigned boxes and the four-tier display will house 300 bagged Remo drumheads. The racks have been specifically designed to hold Remo's most popular...

Audio impressions Realtime Orchestrator.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... AUDIO IMPRESSIONS 70-Piece String Orchestra--London is the first commercially available library to license DVS Realtime Orchestrator technology. Conceived by award-winning composer Chris Stone, the real-time process automatically divides...

New line of pro and student saxes: Buffet Crampon.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... BUFFET CRAMPON USA has introduced a new line of professional and student-level saxophones. Designed by saxophone artist Mike Smith with input from Jim Riggs, professor of saxophone at the University of North Texas, and Charlie Young, professor...

LM offers low-priced Alexis straps.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... LM STRAPS HAS introduced a selection of low-priced straps in its popular "Alexis" line of straps for girls. These new straps include popular slogans and/or artwork that will truly express the personality of the female player. Made from...

LH-200 acoustic guitar from The Loar: Music Link.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... THE LOAR LH-200 is a vintage-inspired acoustic guitar with a classic pre-war body style, outstanding features, and a strong, full tone. From the vintage sunburst finish to the open gear butterbean tuners, The Loar LH-200 is modeled after...

Power amps in Baltimore church: Inter-M.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... AS PART OF AN extensive renovation project, the sanctuary at Immanuel Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, features a new sound reinforcement system driven by Inter-M L Series power amplifiers. Audio-Video Group, a design-build system...

New guitar bags from On-Stage Stands: Music People.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... THE STYLISH 4550 SERIES guitar bags from On-Stage Stands are made from rugged, easy-to-clean 600-D nylon material. The series includes a bag that fits electric, acoustic, classical, or bass guitars. Each bag features a metal zipper with two...

Double basses with Blonde finish: Strunal.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... STRUNAL AMERICA, INC., distributor of fine stringed instruments from the Czech Republic, is now offering two new double bass models with a classic "Blonde" finish. The 50/4BL is based on Strunal's most popular bass, the 50/4. It sports the...

MS-1771-R for touring organists: Motion Sound.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... MOTION SOUND'S MS-1771R is a "road/rental" version of the company's MS-1771. The MS-1771R is designed for touring organists and thus has a ruggedized cabinet that will better hold up to the rigors of the road. Musicians who demand the maximum...

Spanish language P-O-P materials: Mapex Drums.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... MAPEX HAS ADDED Spanish language point-of-purchase materials for dealers in Latin communities. The materials consist of stand-up signage with photos and feature-and-benefit-oriented bullets for each of the company's dram series. In 2006...

Entry-level Metalman basses: Dean Guitars.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... DEAN GUITARS CONTINUES to offer dealers gear for their entry-level customers with the release three of its legendary body shapes, the V, ME, and Z models in its new Metalman Bass Series. This an extremely affordable series with a list price of...

"The Claw" for marching bass drums: XL Specialty Percussion.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... XL SPECIALTY PERCUSSION has introduced The Claw, a revolutionary spring-loaded, quick-release system that provides quick bass drum mallet placement for 14" and 16" deep marching bass drums. The attractive and strong black anodized finish...

Pickguards and accessories: ColoRiffic.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... COLORIFFIC PRODUCES high-quality pickguards whose images are "dyed" into a special patented material, much like a tattoo. This unique process makes them scratch-resistant, lade-proof, and peel-proof. The huge selection of designs ranges from...

Custom shop offers 25th year guitar: G&L Guitars.(PRODUCT NEWS)
August 1, 2006... THE G&L CUSTOM SHOP celebrated the guitar company's 25th anniversary by designing a special instrument featuring Leo Fender's first pick up for G&L, the Magnetic Field humbucker, which originally appeared on the F-100 model in 1980. Available...

Roger Busdicker, co-founder of Hal Leonard Publishing.(DEATHS)
August 1, 2006... ROGER BUSDICKER, the last surviving co-founder of Hal Leonard Corporation, died at the age of 88 of June 13. Busdicker, a lifelong resident of Winona, Minnesota, was born August 26, 1917. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1934 and...

Giveaways hurt piano profits.(100 YEARS AGO)
August 1, 2006... A well-known dealer in Chicago remarked, "It is astonishing what some people will do to sell a piano. Now we do not object to giving lessons with a piano if we sell it, for we can easily calculate the cost using simple arithmetic. But our...

New automatic record changer.(75 YEARS AGO)
August 1, 2006... An entirely new automatic phonograph record-changing device has been introduced by the Capehart Co. It is said to be the only device that will accommodate both 10-inch and 12-inch records. Its compactness enables a complete radio-phonograph...

Billboards build sales.(50 YEARS AGO)
August 1, 2006... Big billboards play an essential role in building the prestige and sales of "Pappy" Larsen's music store in Oklahoma City. Strategically located on major express ways, the billboards have established in the minds of thousands Larsen's...

Surrender nothing!(25 YEARS AGO)
August 1, 2006... Harold Winkler, president of Harlu Music, declares, "Don't surrender any portion of your business and make it easy for the other fellow. Dealers tell me that they can't possibly sell a step-up horn and make only $75 to $100. My question is, how...

San Diego honors Taylor Guitars.(10 YEARS AGO)
August 1, 2006... Susan Golding, mayor of San Diego honored Taylor Guitars by proclaiming July 30, 1996 Taylor Guitar Day throughout the city. The presentation coincided with a special community reach out event hosted by Taylor Guitars at the Better World Venue....

25 years ago.(FLASHBACKS: A look back at people, products, and events, as recorded in the pages of The Music Trades)
August 1, 2006... Kaman founder Charles Kaman, introduced a revolutionary piano plate made from laminated composite material. Dubbed the "Stratophonic Scale," the plate boasted lighter weight and greater stability. Piano buyers were unmoved, and the products was...

50 years ago.(FLASHBACK: A look back at people, products, and events, as recorded in the pages of The Music Trades)
August 1, 2006... Allen Organ added 30,000 square feet to its Macungie, Pennsylvania, operations, giving it a total of 100,000 square feet of manufacturing space. The new plant was fully air conditioned. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]