Music Trades articles from December 2005

Music Trades archives from December 2005

"Ameri-centric" error noted.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... You are mistaken in referring to Musician's Friend as "the first international retailer." There are other North American retailers that are or have been international including Tom Lee and Long & McQuade. Citing MF as the first...

Sales tax and mail order.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... I definitely feel sales tax collection would have an impact on our business. Customers buy from us both for convenience and to avoid sales tax. However, the customer is always aware of the freight charges, which will often balance out the sales...

Irate customer sues retailers for skipping sales tax.(Industry Briefings)
December 1, 2005... Attorney Stephen Diamond buys lots of stuff online. Unlike other consumers, he sues retailers that don't charge him local and state sales tax. And, he's making money at it in the process. The October 14 Waft Street Journal reported that Diamond...

Guitar concert record broken.(Industry Briefings)
December 1, 2005... The Hard Rock Cafe of Melbourne marked its tenth anniversary by setting a new Guinness World Record for a "Guitar-A-Thon," the largest assembly of guitarists simultaneously playing one song. Over 1,400 turned out on October 29 to perform a...

Computer games and guitar converge.(Industry Briefings)
December 1, 2005... Red Octane, a leading computer games developer, has introduced Guitar Hero, a new PlayStation game that promises to deliver the "guitar hero experience" to everyone. The game comes with a special guitar-shaped controller that has five buttons...

Recorded music sales continue decline.(Industry Briefings)
December 1, 2005... Weakening album sales will place year-end totals behind 2004, making last year's modest gain over 2003 more of a hiccup than a hike. After years of decline, the recording business was encouraged by 2004's meager growth of 1.6%, which many...

Following the lead of others.(EDITORIAL)
December 1, 2005... As a comparatively small component of the national economy, the music industry tends to follow rather than lead. The recent trends that have transformed commerce--sourcing in China, retail consolidation, and internet sales--gained momentum in...

Fender enters distribution business with new FMI Wholesale division: focus will be on "unique proprietary products" backed by a full-service sales effort and an efficient, 575,000-square-foot distribution center.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)(Company Profile)
December 1, 2005... WITH THE CREATION OF THE FMI Wholesale division, Fender Musical Instruments Corp. is poised to expand even further beyond its core guitar and amplifier business into the general accessory and value-priced instruments market. Headed by Fender...

Alliance with Boys & Girls Club to bring music lessons to 3,700 clubs.(NAMM)
December 1, 2005... NAMM HAS TEAMED UP with Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) to create after-school music programs that are being piloted in three locations this fall. The programs will roll out to 3,700 clubs nationwide by spring 2006. Created for...

McCartney boards Gibson bus.(FLASH)
December 1, 2005... SIR PAUL McCARTNEY recently spent time aboard the Gibson Guitar tour bus in Miami, Florida, where he personally autographed 36 McCartney Signature Epiphone guitars that will be sold for the benefit of the Adopt-A-Minefield charity. Each...

MBT parent, American Capital, takes $6.0 million loss on sale to Kaman.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
December 1, 2005... AMERICAN CAPITAL announced that it booked a $6.0 million loss on the sale of the assets of MBT International to Kaman Music Corp. American Capital acquired MBT, which operates Musicorp, in 1999 for $14.25 million. In 2003 it expanded its...

PRS guitars joins DuPont at SEMA hot rod show.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
December 1, 2005... ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2005, Richmond International Raceway hosted the NASCAR Chevy Rock & Roll 400. The evening began with a Monte Carlo SS pace car and ended with a custom Chevy PRS guitar trophy, both finished in matching DuPont Hot Hues colors....

Piano maker sponsors the piano guy TV show.(QRS)
December 1, 2005... QRS MUSIC TECHNOLOGIES will be underwriting the fourth season of The Piano Guy, a national PBS program hosted by piano educator and TV personality Scott Houston. "Scott shares QRS's philosophy of making the benefit of the piano accessible...

New division to focus exclusively on electronic percussion.(ROLAND)
December 1, 2005... ROLAND CORPORATION has formed a new Drum and Percussion Division dedicated to the sale and marketing of drum and percussion products in the United States. The recent divisional launch is yet another in a series of strategic moves made by the...

"The World's Largest Piano Lesson" staged.(BECHSTEIN PIANOS)
December 1, 2005... A BECHSTEIN CONCERT GRAND piano, Model D-280, was featured in "The World's Largest Piano Lesson," a live event held Sunday evening, October 9, at Alice Tully Hall in New York City's Lincoln Center. The event included the creation of the...

Record turnout for Australian music convention.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
December 1, 2005... THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC ASSOCIATION'S annual convention, AMAC, has once again been declared a big hit. The exhibitor total of 91 was an all-time record, and the number of retail businesses represented was also an all-time record with 313 companies...

10,000 entrants reduced to four in Ernie Ball Battle of Bands.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
December 1, 2005... ERNIE BALL'S NINTH ANNUAL Battle of the Bands will culminate on December 16 when four of today's best unsigned bands will perform at the renowned Key Club in Hollywood, California. The four remaining bands beat out more than 10,000 other groups...

Dolly Parton on tour with Kustom '36 Coupe amp.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
December 1, 2005... DOLLY PARTON IS NOW touring with Kustom '36 Coupe, the new all-tube combo amplifier that taps into the company's classic 'tuck 'n' roll" styling. Her Coupe is a one-of-a-kind retro-looking model, originally made to display at the summer NAMM...

AVWest named Newsouthwest rep.(ASTATIC)
December 1, 2005... ASTATIC COMMERCIAL AUDIO has named AVWest, Inc., its new representative in Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas. The appointment was effective October 1. Formed in 1982, Jim Umstead and his team at AVWest have nearly 25 years of...

Sales rise on MBT acquisition.(Kaman Music Sales)
December 1, 2005... KAMAN CORP. SAW ITS loss narrow to $3.6 million in the third quarter, compared with a loss of $11.8 million for the same period a year ago. Net sales for the 2005 third quarter rose 12.9% to $278.1 million, compared to $246.3 million in the...

Reverse stock split signals turnaround.(Loud Technologies)
December 1, 2005... LOUD TECHNOLOGIES, parent company of Mackie Designs, EAW, Tapco, and St., Louis Music has authorized a one-for-five reverse split of the company's outstanding common stock. "During the past couple of years we believe we have come a long way...

Music go round parent sees net slip.(Winmark)
December 1, 2005... WINMARK CORPORATION, the franchise company that owns the Music Go Round chain, reported that net income for the third quarter was $926,100 declined 9% from $1,015,300 in the third quarter of 2004. For the nine months ended September 24, 2005,...

Software update drives sales & net gain.(MakeMusic)
December 1, 2005... MAKEMUSIC, INC. the maker of Finale notation software, posted major gains in revenue and earnings for the third quarter ended September 30. Net revenues for the three and nine months were $3,981,000 and $8,528,000 compared to $2,662,000 and...

Earnings rise on flat sales volume.(Steinway)
December 1, 2005... AT STEINWAY, net sales for the third quarter increased 1% to $95.9 million. compared with $94.6 million a year ago. Gross margins improved 130 basis points for the period and operating profits climbed 23% to $9 million. Net income for the...

Roland shares up on improved earnings.(INDUSTRY FORFRONT)
December 1, 2005... SHARES OF ROLAND Corporation surged to an annual high of [yen] 2,640 on October 24 after the company issued positive earnings projections. Roland is projecting pre-tax profits to rise 16% to [yen] 8.5 billion this fiscal year versus a prior...

New entrant in the B & O market.(Diplomat)
December 1, 2005... DIPLOMAT MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Company and its Diplomatwinds and Diplomatstrings are attracting a lot of attention. Solid research and cooperation between musicians and manufacturers have given this relatively new company a strong start in the...

U.S. dealers tour Chinese production facilities.(Piano Empire)
December 1, 2005... YANTAI-PERZINA PIANO Co., Ltd. held its first international distributor-dealer conference and factory tour in early August. Representatives from seven countries and 16 companies were in attendance. The Perzina Company moved its...

Distribution of skull strings.(Coffin Case)
December 1, 2005... COFFIN CASE HAS secured the exclusive U.S. distribution rights for the French string company Skull Strings. Skull Strings are made in the U.S.A. from high-quality imported Swedish metals that contain over 17% chromium. The stainless steel is...

Anniversary trumpet honors company founder.(Schilke Music)
December 1, 2005... SCHILKE MUSIC PRODUCTS will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2006 by honoring the legacy of founder Renold Schilke with a gold-plated limited edition hand-engraved model B1 Bb trumpet. The B1 was the preferred Bb model of Renold Schilke and...

Production ramps up in new facility.(RKS Guitars)(Company Profile)
December 1, 2005... FOLLOWING ITS JUNE 2005 move to a new ll,O00-square toot corporate headquarters and production facility in Oxnard, California, RKS Guitars has seriously raised the volume with ramped-up production and expanded distribution. The first three...

Clinton's E.M. Winston sax raises $26,000 for Red Cross.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
December 1, 2005... FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON was honored at the American Red Cross of Greater New York Centennial celebration held at the World Financial Center Winter Garden. William Gray, president of the Red Cross, opened the evening by introducing NYC...

Washburn sponsors top Midwest punk fest.(U.S. Music)
December 1, 2005... Washburn Guitars was a major sponsor of Riot Fest, the largest punk music festival in the Midwest and the second largest in the U.S. Held in Chicago's Congress theater on November 4-5, the event drew over five thousand participants and featured...

NAMM seeking to fund industry promo efforts grant proposals actively sought.(INDUSTRY FOREFRONT)
December 1, 2005... NAMM IS CURRENTLY seeking to seed-fund innovative ideas and programs to expand the number of people of all ages who play music as a recreational pastime. Over the past five years NAMM has reinvested more than $19 million through its...

Guitar Center sales rise 18.6% but investors fret about musician's friend: free freight offers hit earnings at direct sale unit, causing stock sell-off, but management remains confident that stellar growth will continue.(RETAILER UPDATE)
December 1, 2005... ROBUST PERFORMANCE at the flagship Guitar Center store division and the Music and Arts division contributed to an 18.6% sales increase and a 16.1% rise in net income for Guitar Center Inc. during the third quarter. For the three-month period...

Best Buy the latest mass-merchant to enter music market.(RETAILER UPDATE)
December 1, 2005... BEST BUY, THE $29.8 BILLION (sales) consumer electronics retailer, is the latest mass merchant to add a limited selection of music products to its merchandise mix. A recent flyer, distributed in newspapers nationally, included guitars from...

Vendors mixed on Musician's Friend Foray to Canada.(RETAILER UPDATE)
December 1, 2005... THE ANNOUNCEMENT by Musician's Friend that it would begin addressing the Canadian market was met with mixed response by the retailer's key vendors. Companies like Fender Musical Instruments, which operate their own distribution arm in Canada,...

Sister company, Pro Audio Direct, formed.(Atlanta Pro Audio)
December 1, 2005... ATLANTA PRO AUDIO, a premier retail source for professional audio equipment and service in the Southeastern U.S., has created and launched a new sister company, Pro Audio Direct, LLC. Pro Audio Direct is a national professional audio direct...

Equipment donated to Music Therapy Dept.(Meyer Music)
December 1, 2005... MEYER MUSIC of Overland Park, Kansas, has donated music equipment to the Music Therapy Department of the Lee Ann Britain Infant Development Center at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. This donation of percussion equipment, recorders, and...

Guitar, drum, and computer clinics.(Daddy's Junky Music)
December 1, 2005... DADDY'S JUNKY MUSIC ended its 2005 clinic season with a bang, hosting standing room only free clinics in its flagship Boston, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire locations. In Boston, guitar virtuoso Doyle Dykes played to a packed...

Photo Contest draws striking images.(ProSound And Stage)
December 1, 2005... Every year ProSound And Stage Lighting has a "Photo Contest" where customers are encouraged to send in their favorite photos of themselves, using gear they purchased from ProSound. This year's event was nothing short of spectacular with more...

"Blue Note" piano donated to Jazz group.(Bosendorfer New York)
December 1, 2005... GERHARD FELDMAN'S Bosendorfer New York partnered with the Jazz Foundation of America with a donation of the legendary "Blue Note" Bosendorfer for the JFA's inaugural auction benefit on November 16 at the B.B. King Blues Club and Grill in New...

Festival event reaps $1.6 million in sales.(M. Steinert & Sons)
December 1, 2005... THE STEINWAY FESTIVAL Piano Tanglewood Sales Event conducted by M. Steinert & Sons of Boston during the weekend of September 9 achieved a record-breaking sales total of $1,600,000, surpassing the previous year's event total of $1,300,000. Once...

Just how big a deal is Amazon.com?(RETAILER UPDATE)
December 1, 2005... WHEN AMAZON.COM began signing up affiliate retailers to post music products on its highly trafficked website, there was widespread concern within the industry. Specialized m.i. retailers worried that Amazon.com, with its huge online presence...

How to follow your dream: good guys do finish first! Lessons from my friend Vinnie Falcone, the consummate gentleman, who parlayed his skills into a gig with Frank Sinatra.(BOB POPYK ON SELLING)
December 1, 2005... If you've been in the music business any length of time, you probably have a lot of memories of interesting things that happened to you along the way. I know I do. I go back a lot of years, and I remember selling pianos and organs in the late...

Passion for percussion: an exuberant crowd of drummers hit Columbus for the 30th annual running of the Percussive Arts Society Convention.(30TH ANNUAL PASIC)
December 1, 2005... A noteworthy feature at the annual Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Columbus, Ohio, was the pair of attendants cheerfully handing out ear protection to everyone who ventured on to the exhibit hall floor. For those who used...

Ranking the world's largest companies: the 225 largest music products companies ranked by sales volume and an analysis of purchasing power levels around the world provide a snapshot of the global industry and how it is changing.(225 World's Biggest MUSIC & AUDIO COMPANIES)
December 1, 2005... Heading the list of the world's largest music products makers is Yamaha Corporation, a diversified enterprise with a global reach, a well-known trademark, and annual revenue of $4.9 billion. At the other end of the rankings is Tycoon Music, a...

Measuring the sales of music products around the world: a look at sales levels in developed nations and an analysis of the economic, demographic, and cultural forces that drive growth. Why are China and the U.S. expanding while Western Europe stagnates?(THE GLOBAL Music Products Market)
December 1, 2005... Sales growth in China and the United States largely offset stagnant results in much of Europe, resulting in a 3.5% increase in music products sales worldwide. In 2004, the global industry generated revenue of $17.2 billion, up from $16.6...

Where to find them: a top 225 directory.(225 World's Biggest: MUSIC & AUDIO COMPANIES)(Directory)
December 1, 2005... Adam Hall GmbH Germany www.adamhall.com Manufacturer and distributor of hardware for flightcases and loudspeaker speaker enclosures, cable systems, and audio tools. Distributor for Eminence speakers, SKB cases, Fane Acoustics,...

Boom town!(REPORT FROM CHINA)
December 1, 2005... While the rest of the World progresses in small increments, the Chinese market for music and audio products is exploding, growing at a pace that is difficult to comprehend. While the opportunities are rich, the risks are also large in this vast...

D'Addario celebrates 10 years with Evans drumhead.
December 1, 2005... J. D'ADDARIO & CO. marked the 10th anniversary of its acquisition of the the Evans drumhead line with a October 5 celebration that featured performances by noted Evans artists Peter Erskine and Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez. Highlighting the...

LP founder Martin Cohen speaks at Harvard.(PEOPLE)
December 1, 2005... MARTIN COHEN, founder of LP, was recently invited to participate in Harvard University panel discussion titled "The Jewish-Latin Mix." Flanked by celebrated figures in the history of Latin jazz music, Cohen spoke of his role, first as a fan,...

McNair named director of sales & marketing.(Martin Strings)
December 1, 2005... TIMOTHY McNAIR HAS been named director of sales and marketing for the String and Accessory Division of C.F. Martin & Co., Inc. His appointement was announced by Chairman and CEO Christian F. Martin IV. McNair will be responsible for marketing...

Craig Sibley named product specialist.(Aviom)
December 1, 2005... CRAIG SIBLEY has joined Aviom, Inc. as a product specialist. He was previously an outside sales manager for Audio Geer, Aviom's West Coast manufacturer's rep. Sibley, a resident of Los Angeles, is an industry veteran with over 20 years of...

Kevin Criblez joins as district manager.(Jupiter Band Instruments)
December 1, 2005... KEVIN CRIBLEZ HAS JOINED the sales team at Jupiter Band Instruments as a district manager. He has extensive experience in the music instrument industry, which includes working as a sales manager for another instrument manufacturer and as...

Cyril Lance joins as chief engineer.(Moog Music)
December 1, 2005... MULTI-TALENTED ENGINEER and acclaimed musician Cyril Lance has joined Moog Music as senior engineer. Company founder Bob Moog, who passed away in August, had personally selected Lance to carry out his vision of creating timeless electronic...

Steinway namesFrye to head Parts Dept.(PEOPLE)
December 1, 2005... CHAD FRYE HAS been appointed Parts Department manager at Steinway & Sons. Trained at the Piano Technology Program at Western Iowa Tech, Frye began as an independent piano technician in 1996. While operating a private piano service...

Korg intros portable SP-250 digital piano.(PRODUCT NEWS)
December 1, 2005... KORG'S SP-250 portable digital piano provides an expanded range of expression and performance with an outstanding new stereo piano sound, which is matched to the company's newest RH3 keyboard action. The SP-250 features all-new piano PCM...

Numark unveils first iPod based DJ mixer.(PRODUCT NEWS)
December 1, 2005... NUMARK'S iDJ MIXING Console for iPod portable music players enables mobile DJs and iPod enthusiasts to seamlessly integrate their portable music libraries with other music and sound reinforcement systems, transforming the iPod from a personal...

Mosaic line expanded with new designs.(AIM Gifts)
December 1, 2005... AIM GIFTS HAS EXPANDED its hot-selling Mosaic Gift line to include several new designs, including a vase, ashtray, votive light, and hurricane lamp. These items are unique, high-quality, handmade accent pieces that will surely be the center of...

Shadow inrossoundhole pickup for acoustics.(PRODUCT NEWS)
December 1, 2005... SHADOW ELECTRONICS of Germany unveiled prototypes of its SH145 Prestige soundhole pickup for acoustic guitars at the 2005 Frankfurt Musikmesse. Full-scale production of the pickup began in late summer, and the pickup is now available worldwide....

Wheelie gig bags and tuning pegs.(Talwar)
December 1, 2005... TALWAR BROTHERS has added new "wheelie"-style models to its popular Gard line of gig bags. Featuring wheels and a pull-out handle, these bags will delight any player wanting to remove the weight of the instrument from their back or shoulder....

Nordiska's new 4'8" grand piano.(PRODUCT NEWS)
December 1, 2005... IN 2003 NORDISKA introduced the Model 215 grand piano, which measured seven feet in length. In 2004 it unveiled the nine-foot-long, Model 275 concert grand. Its latest model, however, is a "step in the opposite direction." Nordiska, working in...

Eden Electronics ships improved bass amp.(PRODUCT NEWS)
December 1, 2005... EDEN ELECTRONICS, a leader in bass amplification, is now shipping its long-awaited WT1205 integrated amplifier. The WT1205 is a two-channel amplifier with full control sets for each channel. This allows the user to use two basses (or a...

Basson sound offers new line of 1x12 guitar cabinets.(PRODUCT NEWS)
December 1, 2005... BASSON SOUND HAS developed a new line of 1x12 portable guitar cabinets, due to popular demand. The tones coming out of these cabinets will handle sounds from the lowest of tunings to cutting highs. Two finishes are available: the 75-watt gray...

MicroBoom attaches to any mic stand.(Audix)
December 1, 2005... AUDIX HAS INTRODUCED the MicroBoom, a 50" carbon fiber boom arm that attaches to any microphone stand. Designed as an accessory for the innovative series of miniature condensers called The Micros, the MicroBoom has a diameter of less than .3"...

Blitz polishing cloth for metal.(PRODUCT NEWS)
December 1, 2005... BLITZ MANUFACTURING HAS introduced the Metal Clare Cloth for polishing and cleaning all metal instruments. The cloth will leave an instrument clean, polished, and protected. the cloth is Stock #303. 800-356-0860 www.blitzinc.com

Kaces HD series High-Density drum bags.(Ace Products)
December 1, 2005... ACE PRODUCTS GROUP has introduced the Kaces HD series High-Density drum bags. These new professional-grade bags were designed to offer the maximum amount of protection possible in a lightweight gig bag. The series is constructed of a water- and...

Digital tuner with built-in metronome.(Meisel)
December 1, 2005... MEISEL STRINGED INSTRUMENTS has introduced the MMT-402 digital tuner, featuring a built-in metronome and tone generator. Highly accurate and extremely portable, this versatile device helps musicians achieve precise intonation and perfect tempos...

New colors for Paragon Custom Series.(Peace Drums)
December 1, 2005... PEACE DRUMS & PERCUSSION has added several new colors to its Paragon Custom Pro Choice Series. The new colors include Sparkle Emerald Rain Forest and Rising Sun. Now drummers can create their own configuration with any color choice in the...

Dennis Chambers designs stick bag.(Zildjian)
December 1, 2005... DENNIS CHAMBERS, drummer with Santana, has worked with Zildjian to design his own Artist Collection stick bag; the bag reflects his style and personality. The Dennis Chambers Stick Bag features a repeating DC pattern as well as a large DC...

GigMaker line expanded with two new models.(Yamaha Guitars)
December 1, 2005... YAMAHA GUITARS HAS brought two new models into its popular GigMaker line with the introduction of the electric guitar (GigMaker EG) and electric bass (GigMaker EB) packages. These new packages deliver an outstanding combination of quality...

Tornavoz guitar pack aids classical sales.(PRODUCT NEWS)
December 1, 2005... Aiming to stimulate the nylon string guitar market, Cordoba has introduced the all new Classic Pack. Combining Cordoba's premium design and craftsmanship, the Classic Pack is the perfect starter kit for anyone looking to learn to play classical...

Limited edition western shirt.(Gretschgear)
December 1, 2005... GRETSCHGEAR HAS PARTNERED with Rockmount Ranch Wear to create the Limited Edition 6120 Western Shirt. Rockmount Western Shirts are on permanent display in the Smithsonian Institution as a true Western icon, and the shirts are worn by film and...

Double Top signature guitar.(Hill Guitar)
December 1, 2005... THE NEWEST SIGNATURE guitar from Hill Guitar advances classical guitar design with a laminated Double Top soundboard design innovation used in jet aircraft wing construction. The net result is a strong but lighter top that can vibrate more than...

Split Screen Pop Filter.(Middle Atlantic)
December 1, 2005... AS ONE OF THE inaugural offerings in its new Music Accessories brand, Middle Atlantic Products has introduced a revolutionary new Split Screen Pop Filter designed with proprietary Air Pressure Dispersion Technology (APDT). Improving on...

Revamped acoustic & electric guitar line.(Hohner USA)
December 1, 2005... HOHNER HAS UPGRADED its guitar line, adding new electric and acoustic models that address a broad range of music styles and price points. New OSC models feature lightweight ash bodies and bolt-on maple necks. These instruments are...

Mark Sternal's guitar book.(MJS Publications)
December 1, 2005... MJS PUBLICATIONS has issued Guitar: Total Scales Techniques and Applications by Mark Sternal. The book, called TSTA for short, details every note, every scale, every key, and every trick, in every position on the guitar. It is designed for...

Newport USA band instrument line.(PJLA Music Sales)
December 1, 2005... PJLA MUSIC SALES has officially introduce its new band instrument line, Newport USA. This complete line of band instruments represents almost two years of development and design innovations for beginners and is positioned as a high-quality,...

Department stores and pianos.(100 Years Ago)
December 1, 2005... Frederick Loesser & Son, the big Brooklyn department store, has announced that it will no longer trade in well-known names like Knabe and will stencil another piano with the Loesser name. If they had found it profitable to stick with first...

Lack of music hurts sales.(75 Years Ago)
December 1, 2005... F.E. Larsen of Ludwig & Ludwig in Chicago reports that teachers trying to organize fretted instrument classes are unable to find books of selections for their pupils to play. "The first thing to do is to prepare the music. We need books of...

Piano sales up 20%.(50 YEARS AGO)
December 1, 2005... Sales off pianos in the first half of 1955 were more than 20 percent greater than in 1954, as revealed in a statement by the National Piano Manufacturers Association. Eugene Wulsin, president of the association, attributed the strong demand to...

John Lennon murdered.(25 Years Ago)
December 1, 2005... The tragic slaying of John Lennon abruptly ended one of the most significant musical careers of the era. As the driving force behind the Beatles, Lennon shaped the music that was to define a generation. While his music addressed contemporary...

Good prospects for guitar.(10 Years Ago)
December 1, 2005... C.F. Martin CEO Chris Martin explains, "Guitar sales have gone up and down over the years. But looking to future we remain highly optimisitic about the industry's prospects. Products are better than ever at all price points, so there's less...

Preface.
December 1, 2005... Now in its 108th printing, The Purchaser's Guide to the Music Industries remains the single authoritative source book for the music and audio industries. Think of it as a self-contained search engine, free from viruses and technical problems,...