Music Trades articles from February 2008

Music Trades archives from February 2008

Should we be imitating other industries?(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2008... I RAN ACROSS YOUR comments on music education, and I wanted to offer my opinion for what it is worth. I own a music instruction business that has been successful for over ten years. I started my business in response to a perceived void in the...

Parking lot promotional tactics.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2008... YESTERDAY ONE OF MY employees brought in a flyer that someone had placed on the windshield of his car in our parking lot. Imagine my surprise to find it was a Guitar Center "In-Store Use Only" flyer. Several of the items from Fender, Martin,...

The global Top 225.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2008... Your December issue, featuring the Top 225 and sales data on the top markets around the world, was one of your best ever. From the articles on China to the sales and demographics by country, the information provided is invaluable to everyone in...

Forget the economy.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2008... Great editorial in your current December issue on the economy. I only hope a large percentage of your subscribers read it and follow your advice! Neil Lilien Meisel Music Springfield, NJ In our December editorial, "Why You...

Retail sales surge in November, defying expectations.(Industry Briefings)
February 1, 2008... Retail sales surged in November, trouncing estimates, after steep discounting on holiday merchandise such as electronics, clothes, and home-related goods gave merchants a solid start to this year's holiday shopping season. The U.S. Commerce...

Online retail spending up 33 percent.(Industry Briefings)
February 1, 2008... comScore, Inc. has reported that holiday season e-commerce spending for the first 41 days of the November--December 2007 holiday season was over $20 billion, a 19-percent gain over the corresponding days last year. "Green Monday," a term...

But not all economic news is good ...(Industry Briefings)
February 1, 2008... December saw two large national retailers announce liquidation proceedings. Computer store CompUSA has hired Gordon Brothers to liquidate inventory at its remaining 103 store fronts. (Gordon Brothers was also the firm that liquidated MARS...

And mall vacancies are on the rise.(Industry Briefings)
February 1, 2008... U.S. Strip mall vacancies inched up in the third quarter, hitting a five-year high of 7.4%. The vacancy rate has spurred concerns of weakening consumer spending, particularly in house-wares. The vacancy rate is higher on both coasts than in the...

New market report cites deep record label woes.(Industry Briefings)
February 1, 2008... In a period of lackluster sales, illegal downloading isn't the only factor affecting the depressed music industry. Disgruntled consumers have contributed significantly to the decline in retail music sales, according to market research conducted...

The music industry's "X" factor.(EDITORIAL)
February 1, 2008... From a distance of 30 feet, a fine Stradivarius and a cheap Chinese violin are visually indistinguishable to all but the most sharp-eyed experts. And despite all of today's digital audio wizardry, there is also no way to accurately...

NAMM attendees can enter to win visit from revamped John Lennon bus.(NAMM 2008 PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A BRAND NEW JOHN LENNON Educational Tour Bus, dedicated to providing students with free hands-on opportunities to make music and produce video projects, will be unveiled to the music products industry at winter NAMM....

Lineup announced for NAMM VandoJam.(NAMM 2008 PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... VANDOREN HAS announced its lineup for the annual VandoJam at NAMM. Back by popular demand from last year's jam is west coast star Eric Marienthal. Besides being a highly successful recording artist on his own, Marienthal is a member of the...

Endorsing artists to highlight NAMM show: Conn-Selmer.(NAMM 2008 PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... CONN-SELMER ENDORSING artists from a full range of musical genres will make appearances at the company's booth, #4800, at the winter NAMM show in Anaheim. Both scheduled and unscheduled visits are expected from trumpet, trombone, French horn,...

Michael Andrew to perform at NAMM: PianoDisc.(NAMM 2008 PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... PIANODISC WILL SPONSOR a NAMM show appearance by singer Michael Andrew and The Atomic Big Band. Andrew and company will perform on the Convention Center stage on Thursday afternoon, immediately following the NAMM Show Tribute that begins at 5...

Roland's 5th Annual Worship Summit.(NAMM 2008 PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... ROLAND WILL HOST the 5th Annual Worship Arts Summit on Sunday, January 20, 2008 at the winter NAMM show. This musical celebration has become a highly anticipated event and will be offered at three times: 11:00 A.M., 12:30 P.M. and 2:30 P.M. ...

Artists headline NAMM exhibition: Dean Markley.(NAMM 2008 PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... DEAN MARKLEY BOOTH 5710 at the Anaheim NAMM show will rock nonstop with appearances by a wide range of Markley endorsing artists. Markley Signature String Series artists Nick Catanese and George Lynch will be demo-ing at the booth. Also...

Guitar Center CEO to address guitar makers.(NAMM 2008 PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... MARTY ALBERTSON, CEO of Guitar Center, will be the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the Guitar and Accessories Manufacturers Association. Topics covered will include a state-of-the-industry report and strategies for expanding the music...

Tote bag giveaway for dealers at NAMM: Mel Bay Publications.(NAMM 2008 PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS, Inc., will give away a limited number of body-conforming nylon messenger tote bags at NAMM booth 3304. Featuring an adjustable shoulder strap, organizer, and mobile phone holder, these Mel Bay messenger bags will be...

New features to debut at NAMM: Moses, Inc.(NAMM 2008 PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... AT WINTER NAMM Moses, Inc., manufacturers of carbon graphite neck and stringed instrument products, will introduce extensive standard and custom inlay choices, stunning new neck finishes, and unique fiber-optic technology now optional on all...

M-Audio debuts evolution line of digital pianos at winter NAMM.(NAMM 2008 PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... M-AUDIO, BEST KNOWN for its broad line of computer music products, will be offering dealers a first look at a new line of "Evolution" digital console pianos at winter NAMM 2008 (booth 6007). The M-Audio Evolution line combines digital piano...

Official NAMM exhibitor list.(NAMM 2008 PREVIEW)
February 1, 2008... Official NAMM Exhibitor List Compiled by NAMM as of December 7, 2007 3L International 5825 65 Amps 1652 A & S Case, 6288 A Brown Soun...

New leadership at Steinway & Sons: Kurrer and Losby bring global perspective and enthusiasm to famed piano maker.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)(Company overview)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] OVER THE PAST TWO decades, Steinway & Sons has compiled an enviable record of growth and consistent profitability in a global piano market characterized by contracting unit volumes and excess production capacity. The...

LP to distribute factory metal.(FLASH)
February 1, 2008... FACTORY METAL PERCUSSION has made LP/Kaman Music exclusive worldwide distributor for the new Street FX. To meet increased production demands, FMP has partnered with Wolfe Industries, a premier metal shop based in southern California. "The...

N-Tune debuts at NAMM with unique new guitar tuner.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... IN 2003 TWO INDUSTRY PROS got together to play music and came away with the inspiration for a new company--N-Tune--and a debut product--the patented N-Tune Onboard Chromatic Tuner. N-Tune is the brainchild of guitarists Seth Demsey and Tom...

Gretsch Phil Collins kit fetches $240K at auction.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... HARD CORE PHIL COLLINS fans created a bidding frenzy at the recent David Foster Foundation gala, ultimately raising $240,000 to aid children requiring organ transplants. To assist the Foundation, Gretsch Drums donated a custom, autographed Phil...

Fender's GuitarMania supports community programs.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... FROM JIMI HENDRIX'S famed hand-painted Stratocaster guitar, which he later burned and smashed at the Monterey Pop Festival, to "Rocky," the psychedelic Strat painted by George Harrison, the Fender Stratocaster has long been a canvas of...

Family business marks 25th anniversary: Players Music Accessories.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... IN 2008 PLAYERS MUSIC Accessories celebrates 25 years as a family-owned business manufacturing a complete line of premium band, orchestra, guitar, and percussion instrument cleaning and maintenance products. Since 1983 the company has been a...

D'Addario acquires PureSound snare manufacturer.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... D'ADDARIO & COMPANY has acquired PureSound Percussion just as PureSound celebrated its tenth anniversary in the manufacture of premium aftermarket snare wires. Distributors, dealers, and drummers view PureSound as a leading supplier of snares...

Community marks 40 years in loudspeaker innovation.(FLASH)(Company overview)
February 1, 2008... COMMUNITY PROFESSIONAL Loudspeakers celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2008. Founded four decades ago by Bruce Howze, Community has grown to become a worldwide leader in the manufacture of professional loudspeakers. From its early days,...

Ludwig sticks star in new "Rock Band" video game.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... LUDWIG IN-GAME DRUMS and a pair of Ludwig-brand drum sticks are featured in "Rock Band," the hotly anticipated video game from Harmonix Music Systems and MTV. With 58 tracks from five decades, the game allows drummers, along with guitar and...

DOD founder Johnson launches XP Audio Inc.: Forge bass amps and Motion Sound speakers, first products to debut at NAMM.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AS AN ASPIRING ROCK 'N' ROLL guitarist in the '70s, John Johnson spent hours listening to the opening chord of the Beatle's Hard Day's Night, wondering how they got that memorable vibrato effect. In 1974 the quest...

Conn-Selmer consolidates woodwind production at expanded Elkhart facility.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... CONN-SELMER, INC., has announced plans to transform its Elkhart South manufacturing facility into a "Center for Excellence" for woodwind manufacturing. "The level of skill and expertise at this facility continues to improve through its...

ICON Digital and Power Group ink strategic partnership.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... PROFESSIONAL AUDIO manufacturer ICON Digital Corporation has formed a partnership with Toronto-based distributor Power Group, Ltd., to offer ICON's products to dealers across the United States and Canada. This strategic relationship will allow...

Music sales secures distribution rights: MMO Music Group.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... MMO MUSIC GROUP, INC., has inked a deal with Bob Wise of Music Sales for distribution of Music Minus One editions within the U.K. and most of the E.U. The deal comes in the wake of the Hal Leonard deal secured with Australia and New Zealand, as...

Founder celebrates 40th anniversary: Benedetto Guitars.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... MASTER LUTHIER Robert Benedetto is celebrating his 40th anniversary in 2008 with a limited run of 40 "40th Anniversary" models handmade at the company's Savannah, Georgia factory. In addition, Benedetto will handcraft a unique 40th anniversary...

Lofgren plays Spector on tour.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... RENOWNED ELECTRIC guitarist Nils Lofgren, now on Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's "Magic" tour, is playing a Spector ARC6 guitar built the in the Spector USA Custom shop near Woodstock, New York. The instrument features a solid...

Putting instruments in the hands of kids: Stentor.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... U.K. -- BASED STENTOR MUSIC Co. Ltd. is working to support young musicians with a number of projects to let children experience string playing first hand. Stentor has loaned instruments to the London Philharmonic Orchestra's Have a-Go...

Ranked #1 in retailers' survey: Tanglewood Guitar Co.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... IN A RECENT SURVEY of the U.K.'s leading major and independent m.i. retailers, Tanglewood Guitar Company U.K. earned the ranking of #1 selling acoustic guitar brand in the under 500 [pounds sterling] ($1,000 USD) category and #5 in the over 500...

SLM to offer new prices, products, and staff for 2008.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... ST. LOUIS MUSIC has made a number of changes leading into what promises to be an exciting year of growth. These changes include 20 new salespeople ready and eager to help customers with their buying needs, a redesigned color catalog, new...

RS Berkeley: new Virtuoso Series saxophones further expand the palette of this full-line supplier of woodwinds, brasswinds, and orchestral strings.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... FOR SEVERAL YEARS RS Berkeley Inc. has been quietly earning the respect of music educators and players ranging from beginning students to seasoned pros. In recent months, however, its reputation has begun to grow at an accelerated rate--and...

Mapex to distribute Vic Firth & Remo.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... AS OF JANUARY 2008, Mapex USA will distribute Vic Firth sticks and mallets and Remo drum heads. Mapex, which has enjoyed a significant gain in market share over the last three years, sees this move as an ideal opportunity to extend its growth....

JT Musical launches: dealers direct website.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)(Website overview)
February 1, 2008... JT MUSICAL, INC., IS debuting its "Dealers Order Direct" website ordering system for independent m.i. dealers just in time for late January post-NAMM show operation. Dealers will be able to access JT Musical's website (www.jtmusical.com) and...

Leveraging Disney's marketing muscle to move music products: with a licensing agreement for Hannah Montana Guitars, U.S. Music hopes to drive store traffic with the "most pre-sold product in industry history.".(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... DISNEY'S HANNAH MONTANA character is an enormous cultural phenomenon that has captured the imagination of a generation of teenagers. For the uninitiated (or those who don't have children in the 8-to-16 year-old-age bracket) the storyline of the...

KMC image gallery enhances retail promos.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... A NEWLY CREATED "Image Gallery" on the KMC website makes it easy for authorized dealers to access 13,000 images and logos for the broad range of KMC product lines. The launch of this site, in conjunction with KMCOnline and the Kaman Dealer...

Education award for support of music: Roland.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... ROLAND CORPORATION U.S. was recently awarded the The Leonard MacKain Friend of Education Award by Southern California's Brea Olinda Unified School District. This award is presented annually to those who make continuing and outstanding...

Publicly traded industry firms.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... PUBLICLY TRADED INDUSTRY FIRMS Price as of P/E Dec. 26, 2007 Ratio Apple Computer Inc. $198.99 50.66 Avid Technology ...

Yamaha completes acquisition of Bosendorfer piano: will maintain Vienna production and unique piano designs, but will reassess global sales & marketing.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... YAMAHA FINALIZED ITS acquisition of Bosendorfer, the famed Vienna-based piano maker, from Bawag Bank, on December 20, 2007. The final price will be determined by an audit of B6sendorfer assets and operations. However, estimates place it at...

Ad campaign features top Nevada retailer: Music Wizard Group.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... MUSIC WIZARD GROUP, a leading provider of music gaming software and musical education tools, will feature Sparks Music and Learning Center in its new 2008 marketing and advertising campaign. Mike Manning, owner of Sparks Music and Learning...

MIAC sets 2008 convention schedule.(FOREFRONT: NEWS * ANALYSIS * INFORMED OPINION)
February 1, 2008... MIAC 2008 & PAL Show, Canada's music, pro audio, and lighting trade show, will be held at the Toronto International Centre, August 24-25, for its 37th annual event. MIAC 2008 & PAL Show will feature free admission for members, free parking...

Guitar Showcase opens Roland "store within a store": San Jose retailer draws on Silicon Valley technology to create cutting-edge display.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
February 1, 2008... GUITAR SHOWCASE, in conjunction with Roland Corporation U.S., has announced the opening of Roland Showcase, a "store-within-a-store" concept that is a first for the music products industry in the U.S. Drawing on the technology of Silicon...

Musician's Friend top sellers.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
February 1, 2008... MUSICIAN'S FRIEND, the industry's leading direct-response retailer has revealed its top selling products for the fourth quarter. BEST SELLERS UNDER $50 * Nova 12-pair Hickory Drumsticks $26.49-$27.99 * Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal...

Woodwind & Brasswind to sponsor "Chicago".(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
February 1, 2008... THE WOODWIND & BRASSW1ND, now a division of Guitar Center, has become the "Official Sponsor of the band Chicago." The announcement comes on the heels of a recent visit by the legendary group to Woodwind & Brasswind's South Bend, Indiana,...

Sales force grows with business: Sweetwater.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
February 1, 2008... SWEETWATER, THE FOURTH-largest music instrument and pro audio retailer in the world, has hired ten new employees, four full-time and six part-time. This brings the total of Sweetwater employees to 296, up from 257 at the beginning of 2007. ...

Mike Portnoy checks in with fans: Funky Munky Music.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
February 1, 2008... MIKE PORTNOY, drummer extraordinaire and skin pounder for Dream Theater, recently appeared at Funky Munky Music in Shawnee, Kansas. Portnoy stopped by to sign autographs, take pictures with fans, and answer questions on the afternoon preceding...

Lightfoot named sales and marketing manager: Pender's Music Company.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
February 1, 2008... PENDER'S MUSIC Company in Denton, Texas, has named Becky Lightfoot to the position of sales and marketing manager. Lightfoot, who comes to Pender's from Art's Music Shop in Alabama, recently earned her master's degree in business...

Map pricing policies? Do they build profits? Do they help independents. Too High? Too Low? Unenforced? Retailers discuss.(RETAIL Q&A)
February 1, 2008... FEW TOPICS in the music products industry generate as much heat as minimum advertised pricing--or MAP. The Music Trades conferred with three independent retailers to learn whether MAP is helping them get where they want to go. Participants in...

"Don't call it a sale!" How Danny Saliba's Dallas Steinway Hall mounts highly effective selling events without reducing prices.(SHORT TAKE)
February 1, 2008... At Steinway & Sons' 2007 annual meeting in Anaheim, Steinway Senior Vice President Frank Mazurco presented a special one-time award to Dallas Steinway Hall. The award recognized the business, which was recently expanded to three stores, for the...

Redefining "resourceful": renaissance man John Pearse has made living life to the fullest an art as well as a successful, long-lived business.(CAREER PATH)
February 1, 2008... MUSICIAN. INVENTOR. Educator. Author. Entrepreneur. Silversmith. Film maker. Record producer. Television star. Movie actor. World traveler. Oenophile. Chef. Fly fisherman. Raconteur. Survivor. One of the industry's true originals, instrument...

Driving hard to become number one! Having taken Hyundai Motors from nowhere to the world's sixth-largest automaker, hard-charging B.J. Park is putting the pedal to the metal as new Young Chang CEO in a bid for market leadership. To employees, his message is simple: "We must change everything!" To the piano market, he says: "We will set the standard for quality and value.".(COMPANY PROFILE)(Company overview)
February 1, 2008... Manufacturing heavy, cast iron piano plates is an inherently dirty process. Smelting iron ingots fills the air with a choking combination of smoke and dust. The fine sand that's used to form the casting molds has a way of mixing with metal...

Reintroducing the harmony guitar line: harmony, the world's most popular guitar brand for close to a century, is coming back with a faithful reissue of the famous Ritchie Valens model.(BRINGING BACK THE PAST)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ritchie Valens' first guitar was a forest-green Harmony H44 Stratotone, a model that hasn't been in production since 1957--until now, that is. Winter NAMM 2008, which falls just short of 49 years since Valens'...

Drummer's paradise: with the broadest selection of percussion gear under one roof anywhere, The Drum Pad has prospered over the past two decades by providing a "wow" factor for customers. Founder Jim Streich says simply, "There is a place for specialty retailers who focus on a niche and do it well.".(RETAIL PROFILE)
February 1, 2008... The Drum Pad's first home didn't look like a garage--it looked like half a garage. That was in 1985. Founder Jim Streich had cashed in a $2,000 life insurance policy to rent out part of the back of a house on a side street in Palatine,...

Using education to hedge against retail competition: while retail prices plummet, the cost of education soars. Consultant Sam Beckford shows how to harness this trend to build your business.(TEACH FOR PROFIT)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In 1995, Sam Beckford was broke and the former owner of five failed small businesses. He and his wife Valerie started business number six, a music and dance studio for kids, out of rented rooms in a local elementary...

The thinking behind Taylor's original SolidBody: why would Bob Taylor introduce a solid body electric into a crowded, tradition-bound market? Because a unique new pickup design, based on advanced magnetic studies, left him no choice.(PRODUCT TRENDS)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Attendees at the NAMM show may well experience acute feelings of disorientation when they hear the crunch of heavy metal power chords wafting out of the Taylor Guitar exhibit. But this is no group hallucination....

Expand revenue, create customers: how Middle C Music's immensely popular rock 'n' roll camp fires up sales during the slow summer months.(RETAIL: STRATEGIES)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If the kids are tired, Mark Noone doesn't want to hear about it. Noone made his name with Washington D.C.'s The Slicky Boys, one of the first real garage bands; now he spends summer days teaching D.C. kids how to...

Mating music & computers to tap a huge new market: Samick's new SIMS division debuts with a broad range of USB-equipped products that address the generation of potential musicians who grew up playing Guitar Hero.(SIMS: SAMICK INNOVATIVE MUSIC SYSTEMS)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Arguably the hottest presents under 2007's Christmas tree were Guitar Hero III and Rock Band. And beyond argument, many of the activities of American youth and many of their parents' discretionary dollars are...

Over 30 and still rockin': how Dean Guitars found early success, crashed & burned, and came roaring back, bigger than ever ... great designs and quality construction are always in fashion, and Dean Zelinsky proves, by returning to these basics, that there are successful second acts.(COMPANY PROFILE)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rock 'n' roll is supposed to be dangerous and unpredictable. In its "first life," Dean Guitars ran in a manner befitting its namesake instruments' rock 'n' roll image, careening from upstart iconoclast to category...

MONO cases redefines the gig bag: one new California-based company has designs on changing the way the industry and the market view the not-so-lowly gig bag.(INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY)
February 1, 2008... NOT LONG OUT OF HIGH school, Daniel Kushner filled out two applications for the University of the Arts in Philadelphia--one for percussion performance and the other for industrial design--and took them both to the corner mailbox. At that moment...

The Aussies are coming! Ashton Music is saying "G'day" to European and U.S. distributors with a turnkey program and a slew of high-value, high-margin products.(COMPANY PROFILE)(Company overview)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When most Americans think of Australia, they think kangaroos... Sydney Opera House... harrowing "football"... Nicole Kidman. (Okay, so a few of us think Outback Steak House.) But how many associate Australia with...

Going global with IBC: consultancy firm International Business Centre's Iain Wilson helps music industry suppliers maximize their worldwide sales.(SHORT TAKE)(Industry overview)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TAPPING GLOBAL SALES is pretty much a prerequisite to success in today's music products market. Especially when domestic sales are sluggish and the U.S. dollar is valued low, the time is ripe to sell abroad. But...

Alberto Kreimerman's Hermes Foundation: a bright light on music from South of the border.(COMMUNITY SERVICE)(Interview)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SINCE 1982 THE CAUSE of music making has had a champion in Hermes Music. Operating from its U.S. headquarters in Texas, Hermes specialized in serving the pro audio, lighting, and musical instrument needs of the...

Gearing up for NAMM: some thoughts about how to get the most out of the Anaheim trade show.(CREATIVE RETAILING)
February 1, 2008... NAMM 2008 is right around the corner, and this year, it promises to hold more secrets to success than ever before. The largest music products trade show in the United States is the place to go to discover the latest musical instruments and...

A great untapped market: if you want to grow your business, start by looking beyond the teenage demographic. You may be surprised by how many new customers you find.(BOB POPYK ON SELLING)
February 1, 2008... Over the past few weeks I have felt like a second-class citizen when it comes to learning to play. I will try to explain how people like me are slighted in music stores; but first, let me give you my demographics: I am in my 60s, feel like I'm...

Reglein passes torch, management expanded: JJ Babbitt.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
February 1, 2008... AFTER 40 YEARS IN HIS family's business, William (Bill) Reglein is turning the day-to-day operations of jj Babbitt over to his staff. Formerly president of jj Babbitt, and the third generation of his family to run the company founded by his...

Alves named executive vice president: Timberline Guitars.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
February 1, 2008... ED ALVES, FORMERLY director of domestic sales for Taylor Guitars, has taken on the role of executive vice president of Timberline Guitars after a three-year hiatus from the music industry. "When you've been in this business for over 25...

Rod Falconer appointed regional sales manager: Community Professional.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
February 1, 2008... PRO-AUDIO VETERAN Rod Falconer has joined Community Professional as regional sales manager for the Western U.S. region and Canada. With more than 25 years in professional audio sales, Falconer comes to Community from Sabine, Inc., where he was...

Nick Bland appointed sales director: Goto Guitars.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
February 1, 2008... GOTO GUITARS LTD., exclusive U.K. distributor for Hamer & Breedlove Guitars, iSP Amplification, Kerly strings, and C-Tech Pocket Rockits, has named Nick Bland sales director. Bland has been in the U.K. music industry for almost 30 years, having...

Ironmen (and ironwoman) of the music products industry.(PEOPLE)
February 1, 2008... A RECENT ARTICLE in Boulder, Colorado's Daily Camera newspaper described how Bobby Stuckey, the co-owner of the renowned Frasca's restaurant, prefers hiring elite long-distance runners for his wait staff. "It has worked out well," he said,...

Yamaha's price competitive Disklavier DC2B now shipping.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
February 1, 2008... YAMAHA HAS BEGUN shipping the Disklavier DC2B, a computer-age player piano that offers a remarkable combination of features and value. This grand piano comes with a suggested retail price $10,000 less than the DC2M4. Because the initial supply...

Takamine marks 45th year with limited edition guitar.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
February 1, 2008... TAKAMINE, ONE OF THE PIONEERS OF the electrified acoustic guitar, is celebrating its 45th anniversary with a dramatic anniversary model that showcases the company's unique manufacturing capabilities. Built with impeccable craftsmanship and...

Hartke's HyDrive line fuses paper and aluminum.(NEW PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HARTKE'S NEW HYDRIVE line of bass gear is designed to move beyond the parameters of traditional bass speaker technology with greater power handling and a revolutionized speaker design with the fusion of paper and...

Mapex Limited-Edition Orion Chocolate Burl kit.(NEW PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
February 1, 2008... NEW FROM MAPEX USA IS the beautiful 2008 Limited Edition Orion Chocolate Burl drumset, which will be sold in extremely limited quantities in North America. This all-maple drum set is distinguished by its exquisite exterior burl veneer. Handmade...

Galaxy audio's any spot "traveler" PA system.(NEW PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
February 1, 2008... NEW FROM GALAXY AUDIO is the Any Spot Traveler (AS-TV8), an AC or battery-operated portable p.a.. system designed for users who need a lightweight, "all in one" p.a. system with a quick and uncomplicated setup. Featuring an 8" woofer, 1" horn,...

Nickel Roundwound electric bass strings: MTD.(NEW PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
February 1, 2008... POWER GROUP LTD., in conjunction with Michael Tobias Designs, has introduced seven new sets of premium Nickel Roundwound electric bass guitar strings. These strings are available in four-, five-, and six-string sets in addition to single...

Vandoren 'flow packs' get rave reviews.(NEW PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS)
February 1, 2008... INTRODUCED IN LIMITED quantities in 2005, the Vandoren Flow Pack was received with great curiosity," commented DANSR president Michael Skinner. "But after musicians played reeds in this revolutionary new packaging the feedback was incredibly...