Music Trades articles from March 2008

Music Trades archives from March 2008

Pushy salespeople and other urban legends.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... THE RECENT DEBATE on "pushy salespeople" in percussion retail greatly interests me. While I agree with letter writer Michael Houston's contention that good salespeople are never perceived as pushy, I'm convinced that The Music Trades'...

Should internet only dealers be restricted?(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... "Thank you for your interest in our products. One requirement we have as well is that you must have a storefront operation. It is against our company policy to deal with a strictly internet-based company. You must have a physical store that...

Quarterly retail sales data.(MARKET INTELLIGENCE)
March 1, 2008... Est. Dollar Volume From Est. 2007 Same Period ...

Market intelligence.
March 1, 2008... GAS PRICES ARE HIGH, PROPERTY foreclosures are soaring, the stock markets are in the tank, and consumer pessimism abounds. Simply stated, the economic pulse in the U.S is grim. Yet, if it is as bad as some suspect, how is it that music...

Quarterly retail sales by region.(Market Intelligence)
March 1, 2008... QUARTERLY RETAIL SALES BY REGION WEST TOTAL STORE SALES 1.2% Fretted Instruments 3.5% Instrument Amplifiers 2.9% Sound Products .5% MIDI Products .7%...

The evidence doesn't justify the pessimism.(EDITORIAL)
March 1, 2008... They don't call economics the dismal science for nothing. It's been pointed out that economists have predicted nine of the last four recessions. And true to form, as of this writing, they're working overtime, regularly citing the dreaded "R"...

Gibson & TC Group in merger pact.(FOREFRONT: NEWS ANALYSIS INFORMED OPINION)
March 1, 2008... GIBSON GUITAR and TC Group, a leader in professional audio, have announced a preliminary agreement to merge. The announcement was made at the 2008 NAMM show in Anaheim by Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz and TC Group CEO Anders...

Taylor taps Fender for European distribution.(FOREFRONT: NEWS ANALYSIS INFORMED OPINION)
March 1, 2008... TAYLOR GUITARS has appointed Fender Musical Instruments as its exclusive distributor for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The move marks a significant step for both companies. For Fender, it represents the first time its European...

Roland acquires majority stake in Cakewalk software: investment reflects continued convergence of musical hardware and the personal computer.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... FOLLOWING FIVE YEARS of close collaboration and joint product development, Roland Corp. has acquired a majority stake in Cakewalk, a pioneering developer of music recording and creation software. The investment reflects the growing demand for...

Meet Antoine Beaussant, new Buffet CEO: internet-Savvy Exec. pledges to honor tradition while embracing innovative business practices.(FOREFRONT)(Company overview)
March 1, 2008... HAVING SPENT MUCH of his career in the internet and technology sectors of France, Antoine Beaussant is, on the surface, an unlikely choice as the new president of Buffet Crampon, the world's leading manufacturer of professional clarinets....

Guild production relocates to Kaman's Ovation plant: a first step in integrating Fender and Kaman operations.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... FENDER MUSICAL Instruments Corporation has announced it will move production of Guild Guitars from Tacoma, Washington to its newly acquired Ovation and Hamer Guitar manufacturing facility in New Hartford, Connecticut. The move will take place...

Army selects Kanstul fanfare trumpets.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... KANSTUL MUSICAL Instruments has a well-deserved reputation for being able to manufacture the most obscure and complex brass instruments. Not surprisingly, when the U.S. Army Band, "Pershing's Own," needed a new set of custom-built herald...

Limited-edition guitar to grace DJ awards: Simba/Copley.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... SIMBA PRODUCTS and Country Radio Broadcaster (CRB) have partnered to create a limited-edition guitar specifically for the DJ Hall of Fame awards and banquet taking place in March 2008. "We are excited about working with Country Radio...

New school acquires 13 new jazz kits: Yamaha.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... AS ONE OF THE NATION'S most prestigious schools devoted exclusively to jazz and its offshoots, The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music draws its faculty from the top ranks of professional musicians in the New York City jazz community....

Mac West Group named Rep of the Year: Community Professional.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... COMMUNITY PROFESSIONAL Loudspeakers has awarded its Representative of the Year award for 2007 to the Mac West Group. The award, which recognizes outstanding sales and support, was announced at Community's rep meeting at this year's NAMM show in...

Finance powerhouse Allegro takes over keyboard acceptance.(FLASH)
March 1, 2008... ALLEGRO ACCEPTANCE and CIT Bank have entered into a definitive agreement whereby Allegro will acquire all rights to the name Keyboard Acceptance (KAC). CIT has also agreed to discontinue offering retail financing in the keyboards sector of the...

Five new distribution agreements in effect: American Way Marketing.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... AMERICAN WAY MARKETING has announced five new distribution agreements that went into effect during this year's winter NAMM show. AWM is now able to provide fine quality products from BG France, Claude Lakey Mouthpieces, MARCA Reeds, Peter...

Lincoln Brewster chooses Grund Audio.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... ACCLAIMED MUSICIAN and worship leader Lincoln Brewster has selected Grund Audio LPB-36 subwoofers for Bayside Church in Roseville, California. Chosen for their performance, low-profile design, and affordable price tag, the subwoofers were...

Elixir Cables: high-endurance Gore cable technology comes to the music industry.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... W.L. GORE CABLES HAVE been to war zones, operating rooms, and outer space, so now Elixir is showing what they can do for a guitar. A NAMM press conference marked the introduction of Elixir's first non-string category in Elixir Cables, developed...

Premier Batons--ten years and 20,000 batons.(FLASH)
March 1, 2008... CELEBRATING ITS TENTH anniversary last year, Premier Batons reached another impressive milestone in December 2007 by producing its 20,000th baton. This achievement is all the more remarkable because one man, Kenneth Barnhill, made 99.9% of the...

Verification emblem ensures authenticity: Renner.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... "HOW DO I KNOW if my piano has authentic Renner parts?" Without a doubt this is the most frequently asked question posed to Renner's distribution company in the U.S.A. according to company president Lloyd Meyer. "Our website is flooded with...

Publications now in Spain: Musica & Mercado.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... AS OF DECEMBER 2007, 1,000 music dealers across Spain have access to Musica & Mercado publications. Distributed to all Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas, Musica & Mercado has added Spain to its list of covered territories. "Our...

IBC Trading expands in Europe and China.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... IBC TRADING, A SPECIALIST in sourcing and international trade, has expanded its skilled, multilingual team with the addition of key personnel in Europe and China. With over 15 years in the music industry, IBCT has gained a reputation in...

New QRS PNOScan fuses acoustic with digital.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... A DIGITAL PIANO IS JUST A USB cable away from a universe of technology, but in the realm of action and tone quality, it has yet to match the acoustic piano. For QRS, the challenge of delivering both has led to PNOscan, the optical recording...

Publicly traded industry firms.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... Price as of R/E Feb. 6, 2007 Ratio Apple Computer Inc. $130.31 28.59 Avid Technology ...

U.S. Band named exclusive sales agent: EK. Blessing.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... BEGINNING THIS YEAR U.S. Band & Orchestra Supplies, Inc., will be the exclusive sales agent for EK Blessing's musical instruments. U.S. Band will also provide marketing services for EK Blessing. "This is a great opportunity for both...

Purdue University endorses SilverFox: Grover Pro Percusion.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... GROVER PRO Percussion Inc., a world leader in high-quality percussion products, has reported that the Purdue University drumline, home of the world's largest bass drum, exclusively endorses SilverFox drumsticks and mallets. One of the nation's...

American Way to distribute BG Franck Bichon woodwind products.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... THE COMPLETE LINE of BG woodwind accessories will now be distributed exclusively in the U.S.A. by American Way Marketing. In making the announcement at NAMM, BG President Franck Bichon stated, "We studied the market very carefully and received...

High-end cables demo'd in Milan: Reference Laboratory.(FOREFRONT)
March 1, 2008... REFERENCE LABORATORY, a leading manufacturer of high-quality cables, took advantage of the new Meet trade show in Milan to feature its products in a comparative listening session. According to Reference Lab's Angelo Tordini, the company's...

Innovative Bee-In Tuner promoted to educators.(FLASH)
March 1, 2008... THE BEE IN TUNER, designed to tune violins, violas, and guitars more efficiently, will be demonstrated at the 61st National Biennial Music Educators Convention (MENC-2008) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 9-13, and at Summer NAMM in Nashville,...

Best Buy set to expand music store concept: consumer electronics giant still tight-lipped about music store plans, but new reports suggest that it may open as many as 40 music locations by the end of 2008.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IN LATE 2005 LEADING consumer electronics retailer Best Buy quietly opened a music store within its Riverside, California, location. Unlike other mass merchants that merely allocated shelving to a skeletal selection...

Rick Grant tapped as New Jordan Kitt's Chairman.(RETAILER: UPDATE)
March 1, 2008... THE BOARD OF JORDAN KITT'S Music has elected Rick Grant to the position of chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors. He will also retain his current position as President. This continues a long legacy established by both...

Yamaha bestows Founder's Award: Fry's Piano.(RETAILER UPDATE)
March 1, 2008... PAUL FRY, founder of Fry's Westport Fairfield Piano in Connecticut, recently received Yamaha Corporation of America's prestigious Founders Award. This, the 60th anniversary of the family-owned company, coincides with Paul Fry's 50th year in...

George Lynch holds clinic and jam session: Funky Munky Music.(RETAILER UPDATE)
March 1, 2008... GEORGE LYNCH, GUITAR stud from The Lynch Mob and Dokken, recently hosted a clinic and jam session at Funky Munky Music in Shawnee, Kansas. Lynch played a ton, talked technique, answered questions, signed autographs, posed for pictures, and...

Now that was a NAMM show! Huge turnout reflects continued opportunity in the music industry. A few thoughts on how to take advantage of it!(BOB POPYK ON SELLING)
March 1, 2008... I'm not sure how many NAMM trade shows I've been to. After 40 years, I've stopped counting. But without question, this was the biggest, most exciting one I've ever attended. I'm not sure what the actual count was, but anything over 80,000 is...

Huge crowds! Excitement! Great products! But what does it really mean? NAMM just wrapped up another record trade show, pulling together the global industry for a four-day party with incredible new products, unbridled enthusiasm, and fun to spare. But what does it tell us about the state of the industry, and what we can expect in the next 12 months? In the following pages, we try to explain.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)(Industry overview)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Anyone harboring doubts about the enduring allure of making music needed only to spend a few hours at the recently concluded NAMM show in Anaheim to have their concerns allayed. The association did its level best to...

Stevie Wonder dazzles at Yamaha concert.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... LET IT NOT BE SAID that Yamaha doesn't know how to throw a party. Always a highly anticipated winter NAMM highlight, this year's Yamaha Dealer Concert once again delivered NAMM's brightest star power, pageantry, and memorable music. Festivities...

Taking the pulse of the industry: NAMM Survey uncovers surprising optimism and strong support for summer show.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... Taking The Pulse Of The Industry NAMM Survey uncovers surprising optimism and strong support for summer show. Based on your experience, show attendance by U.S. dealers at this year's show compared to last year was: No change...

Rants & raves: comments on the NAMM show.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... "I sure wish we had a public day. We need to encourage instruments to be played! " "I thought the show was well run. There are too many end-users at the show and it makes it very difficult to discuss business with consumers standing...

Guitar Center CEO calls for more emphasis on music ed.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... GUITAR CENTER CEO Marty Albertson emphatically endorsed the Guitar and Accessory Manufacturers Association's long-running school guitar program with a $100,000 contribution, and in a broad ranging speech called for greater industry-wide support...

Martin Guitar celebrates 175th year.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IN OR OUT OF THE MUSIC industry, few companies can boast 175 years of continuous operation. Fewer still can boast 175 years under a single family's leadership, operating at the same locale. For C.F. Martin, the famed...

Roland calls for market expanding video standard.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... ROLAND FOUNDER IKUTARO Kakehashi has rightfully been called the "godfather" of MIDI. The initial concept of a universal standard for electronic music devices had first been floated by Dave Smith, founder of Sequential Circuits, at an Audio...

Gator honors rep force.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GATOR TOP ACHIEVEMENT AWARD---Mark Stone, v.p., Gator; Brandon Bishop, Cowser Lee Marketing; Jerry Freed, pres., Gator. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BATOR TOP SALES AWARO--Brandon Bishop, Greg Labruzzi, Cowser Lee...

Guitar hero, recession fears, faster product cycles ... top industry execs discuss looming challenges at NAMM's Breakfast of Champions.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WITH EYES ON A RAPIDLY changing marketplace and a shaky economic forecast, NAMM devoted its first-day "Breakfast of Champions" to picking the brains of industry veterans whose originality and knack for reinvention...

Behringer "Talk Show" intros image makeover.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... BEHRINGER STAGED its 2008 NAMM dealer meeting as an intentionally cheesy talk show. After displaying some credible keyboard skills with the four-piece rock show band, founder Uli Behringer took his turn on the obligatory couch to answer...

Mapex details new profit-boosting programs to Five-Star Drum retailers.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... MAPEX AGAIN CONVENED a special meeting with Five-Star Drum Shop dealers prior to the NAMM show's first-day opening. In addition to announcing new promotions and products available exclusively to Five-Star independent retailers and special terms...

Horst Mucha retires after 57 years at Hohner.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FRIENDS AND BUSINESS colleagues from around the world came together to honor Hohner executive Horst Mucha, who announced his retirement after a remarkable 57-year career with the fabled German harmonica maker. Paying...

Kawai honors top sales performance at president's banquet.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... REFLECTING THE CHALLENGES currently enveloping the keyboard market, the mood at Kawai's annual gala dinner for its dealers was sober, but far from somber. Addressing a gathering of Kawai's top-performing retailers, company executives painted a...

Hamilton stands marks 125th year.(2008 NMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HAMILTON, A NAME that has become synonymous with music stands, celebrated its 125th year at NAMM with a party featuring entertainment by the Jeff Hamilton jazz trio. "It wasn't easy finding a musician with the same...

Sabian "Executes" new ad campaign.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... THE CUNING EDGE of cymbal marketing? Sabian promotes the cutting sound of its new APX cymbal line with a mock "guillotine" (I-r) Bob Rupp; Robert Zildjain, chmn.; Stacey Montgomery Clarke, mktg. dir; Andy Zildiian, pres.; Jim Petersak, Crane...

Remo unveils new heads and percussion.
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REMO WORLD PERCUSSION presented a slew of new products at the NAMM show. Highlights included Black Suede drumheads; Black X snare drum batter heads for heavy hitters; Crimplok Symmetry conga heads, designed to fit on...

Vox re-enters the guitar market.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... VOX, THE AMPLIFIER LINE made famous by the Beatles, has introduced a groundbreaking new line of guitars at NAMM that simultaneously manage to push the design envelope while paying homage to tradition. The Virage DC (for double cutaway) and...

Best methods for managing time & money: retailers share thoughts on making the most of finite resources.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IN ITS SECOND BREAKFAST session of the show, NAMM tackled "The Big Issues: -Time and Money" in a panel discussion with six up-and-coming retailers and two of the industry's top money men. Management and marketing...

Lowrey Organ honors top sales performance.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... LOWREY ORGAN convened top dealers for its annual breakfast, arguably the industry's longest-running dealer meeting. Mel Wisnewski, director of sales, praised the retailers in attendance, declaring, "You and your creative efforts are what make...

Yamaha treats drummers to groove all stars.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... WHAT YAMAHA'S ANNUAL Dealer Concert brings to the music products industry at large, its Groove All Stars event brings to the industry's community of drummers. Held at the classy Cerritos Performing Arts Center, this biennial event spotlights...

Top Samson sales performers honored.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SAMSON TECHNOLOGIES presented its "rep of the year" award to Robert Hale of Ron Tunks Sales for posting double-digit sales increases in a challenging market and for "setting the standard for a sales organization,"...

Levy's annual distributor awards.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... LEVY'S LEATHERS presented awards to its top-performing foreign distributors, based on a sales per-capita basis, using data compiled by The Music Trades. Winner of this year's Small Market award went to John Logothetis of Logothetis Music,...

Korg USA posts banner results at NAMM.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] KORG USA BRANDS had strong showings at the 2008 winter NAMM show, where they exhibited new products and hosted press events featuring well-known music personalities. Korg featured a number of new products, including...

How low some people will go.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE at NAMM: The instruments at the Jerzy Drozd booth included this 12-string subbass, whose low B string plays an octave lower than a standard 5-string's low B. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Roland Organ Power draws SRO crowd.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ROLAND AND RODGERS showcased their finest instruments and world-class talent in the tenth Organ Power celebration at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, California. Conceived by Roland founder Ikutaro...

New Steinway management team outlines growth initiative: dealers pay tribute to retiring president Bruce Stevens.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)(Company overview)
March 1, 2008... STEINWAY'S ANNUAL DEALER meeting is usually all business, but this year the company opened its gathering with a tribute to outgoing president Bruce Stevens. Stevens joined Steinway & Sons as CEO in 1985 and for 22 years guided the company...

Talking tabs pop offer.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... TALKING TABS BOLDLY offered every retailer who visited its NAMM booth a complimentary, fully-loaded POP countertop display for each of their stores. With a total retail value of $414, each display contains 32 individual Play-It-Now song lesson...

Piano designer Thomma at Pearl River.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... VISITORS TO THE Pearl River/Ritmuller display room at the recent 2008 NAMM show had the opportunity to meet renowned European piano design consultant Lothar Thomma. Thomma was on hand to meet and greet customers and personally demonstrate the...

Is guitar hero the best thing to happen to the industry? Thoughts on "tween" marketing and how to expand the market.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... WITH PRODUCTS GEARED to the 812-year-old set, or "tweens," now representing a $50 billion industry, Larry English, president of the U.S. Music Corp. Consumer Products Division and J.R. DeSouza, director of electronics Americas for Disney...

Samick honors top-performing retailers.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE AVEDIS ZILDJIAN COMPANY marked its 385th year of cymbal making with a celebration, complete with cake, at the show. (l-r) Debbie Zildjian; Craigie Zildjian, CEO; Cady Zildjian-Bickford, bus. dev. coord. VIC...

Born at NAMM: first time exhibitors explain how the show serves as a launching pad for new enterprises.(2008 NAMM SHOW REPORT)
March 1, 2008... Every year hundreds of new exhibitors come to NA MM like aspiring actors come to New York and Hollywood, hoping to be discovered. Many--perhaps most--of them never make it back for a second show. Exceptions from past years you already know....

Kloc heads sales and marketing: Buffet Crampon.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
March 1, 2008... BUFFET CRAMPON USA, Inc., the North American distributor for Buffet Crampon woodwinds, Besson brass, and Antoine Courtois brass musical instruments, has promoted Francois Kloc to director of sales and marketing for North America. Kloc joined...

Kennedy, Hollenbeck direct Pearl River sales team.(PEOPLE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS)
March 1, 2008... PHILIP KENNEDY has been appointed to oversee the national sales of Pearl River Piano Group America as national sales director. Pearl River has also named Jean Hollenbeck to the position of assistant manager. Kennedy has been associated with...

Expanded role for Houston: Sennheiser.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2008... SENNHEISER HAS EXPANDED the responsibilities of Scott Houston to include managing the MKE microphone series as well as broadcast boom-sets. These include such popular products as the MKE 2 lavalier, K6 Modular, and HMD 25. Since his appointment...

Chris Scialfa senior V.P. sales: Carl Fischer.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2008... CARL FISCHER, LLC, and the Theodore Presser Company, the distinguished music publishers that are now under common ownership, have appointed Chris Scialfa to senior vice president, sales. Scialfa brings ten years of experience in sales and sales...

Leslie Butts named to Ludwig management: Conn-Selmer.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2008... LESLIE BUTTS has accepted the position of national accounts manager in the Ludwig Drums division of Conn-Selmer, Inc. He will be responsible for all sales and service needs of national retail accounts. Butts has a wide range of experience in...

Tim Martin named director of sales: Auralex Acoustics.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2008... TO FULLY SERVICE the needs of its customers, Auralex Acoustics recently named Tim Martin director of its growing sales team. Martin brings to Auralex a long history of professional experience in sales, consulting, and leadership, and will play...

Hart to lead Kaman merchandising team.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2008... KAMAN MUSIC Corporation has promoted Roger Hart to director of merchandising for Kaman's consolidated distribution business. A 15-year Kaman veteran, Hart has worked in a variety of roles in purchasing and marketing, uniquely qualifying him for...

Sal Cardello new account manager: R.S. Berkeley.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2008... INDUSTRY VETERAN Sal Cardello has been appointed district account manager for RS Berkeley Instruments. Possessing more than 40 years of industry marketing experience, Cardello is best known for his prior position as vice president of sales for...

Sejung names Shin President.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Y.T. SHIN IS THE newly appointed president of Qingdao Sejung Musical Instruments Company, Ltd., which manufactures pianos under the Falcone, George Steck, and Hobart M. Cable brands. Prior to joining Sejung, he was...

Bob Berheide named V.P. of sales: Gemstone.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2008... GEMSTONE MUSICAL Instruments has named Bob Berheide as its new vice president of sales. Berheide had served as Gemstone's national sales manager since 2006. "I am honored to continue my work with this dynamic and forward-thinking company,"...

Joe Squillacioti named key account manager: Fishman.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2008... FISHMAN ACOUSTIC Amplification has named Joe Squillacioti to the position of key account manager for sales. Before joining Fishman, Squillacioti spent two years as vice president of sales for Muse Research and was responsible for the...

Mills promoted to VP at Hailun piano.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2008... STEVAN MILLS has been named the vice president of sales for Hailun Distribution, LLC. Formerly national sales manager, Mills was promoted to the newly created position effective January 2008. "Steve has done an outstanding job in the...

USB port integral to new Alesis drums & monitors.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTION)
March 1, 2008... ALESIS HAS INTRODUCED the USB Pro Drum Kit; a premium-quality, electronic drum kit with new electronic cymbals and a USB/MIDI pad trigger interface. The Alesis USB Pro Drum Kit combines the popular Alesis Trigger|iO with drum kit controller...

Gretsch marks 125th with Rock Legend drumset.(PRODUCTS: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTION)
March 1, 2008... GRETSCH'S 125TH anniversary Rock Legend drumset stands as a tribute to rock music's legendary players. The Rock Legend set (RB125RL625-GMM) features classic six-ply Gretsch-formula maple shells with 30-degree bearing edges and Silver Sealer...

Peavey harnesses software to deliver flawless tube tone.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2008... PEAVEY ELECTRONICS showcased its digital technology in a new line of VYPYR modeling amplifiers as well as the innovative ReValver Mk III 64-bit amplifier modeling software that captures the true characteristics of vacuum tubes while allowing...

StudioFoam brand goes eco-friendly: Auralex Acoustics.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2008... AURALEX ACOUSTICS, Inc., introduced its Eco-Friendly StudioFoam, the first "green" acoustical foam product on the market, at Winter NAMM 2008. StudioFoam brand products now include soy components, reducing petroleum-based chemical usage by up...

Levy's Tattoo embroidery and Splash straps.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2008... NEW FROM LEVY'S are Tattoo Design Embroidery Straps, suede leather guitar straps with embroidered tattoo designs. Levy's is also offering Splash guitar straps, redesigned for 2008, made with 2" heavy cotton webbing that's splashed with paint...

Line 6 Micro Spider delivers modeling in battery-powered amp.(NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2008... LINE 6, INC. has expanded its best-selling Spider III family of modeling amplifiers with the battery-powered Micro Spider. Offering exceptional functionality, versatility, and tone, the Micro Spider features an assortment of excellent amp...