Music Trades articles from May 2009

Music Trades archives from May 2009

Quarterly retail sales data.(Market Intelligence)
May 1, 2009... QUARTERLY RETAIL SALES DATA PRODUCT CATEGORY % CHANGE FROM EST. 2008-2009 EST. DOLLAR PREVIOUS YEAR DOLLAR VOLUME VOLUME FROM SAME PERIOD ...

Data reveals the industry is not "recession proof".(Market Intelligence)
May 1, 2009... In market 1990 for the music industry sailed through recessionary times with revenue gains, largely as a result of new technologies and the growth of the new recording products. In 2000-2001, the industry again defied a national recession with...

A fearless forecast we'll stand behind.(EDITORIAL)
May 1, 2009... Getting blindsided by an abrupt and unexpected downturn in business last October robbed business planners of confidence in their ability to forecast. The new mantra from the largest to the smallest business seems to be, "Three-year forecasts?...

Trademark status denied for fender body shapes: trademark board calls Strat, Tele, and P-Bass "Generic": Fender management ponders appeal.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... FENDER MUSICAL Instruments' efforts to trademark the body shape outlines of its Stratocaster, Telecaster, and Precision bass models were rejected by the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in a decision handed down on March 25, 2009....

Eminence taps Adam Hall for EU distribution.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... EMINENCE SPEAKER LLC recently appointed Adam Hall GmbH as its exclusive distributor for the European Union. Eminence loudspeakers and related products have been distributed throughout Europe since 1991. The brand has become well known by...

A glimmer of hope.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... After months of nearly unmitigated gloom, glimmers of improvement are emerging in the U.S. economy. The most recent retail sales figures showed that the decline in consumer spending that began with a miserable Christmas shopping season might be...

Bassoon stolen at gun point.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... A visiting bassoonist with the Longview, Texas, Symphony Orchestra was robbed of his instrument at gunpoint on the evening of April 8. Todd Goranson said that as he was returning to his hotel room two men exited a car and approached him with a...

Accordion hero coming?(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... Speaking at the April 8 MI6 marketing conference in San Francisco, RedOctane co-founder Kai Huang assured a crowd of marketing types and industry professionals that rhythm games like his Guitar Hero are not a momentary fad. He noted that 50% of...

Roy Rogers guitar sold.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... An anonymous bidder acquired the "King of Cowboys" Roy Rogers' OM-45 Deluxe Martin guitar at Christie's for $554,400. One of the rarest and most coveted Martin guitars, the 1930 instrument sold brand new for $225 in 1930 and was later purchased...

Music advocates attend NSBA conference: NAMM FOUNDATION.(FOREFRONT)(Conference news)
May 1, 2009... THE NAMM FOUNDATION and a handful of NAMM Members stressed the benefits of an active school music program to thousands of school board members at the National School Boards Association's (NSBA's) 69th annual conference. Among the companies and...

PRS acoustics take top honors in Frankfurt.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... PAUL REED SMITH Guitars' new line of acoustics received the Musikmesse International Press Award (MIPA), known as the "Grammy" of the Musical Instrument/ProAudio industry, for Best Acoustic Guitar. Awards were presented at a special ceremony...

Ex-Guitar Center CEO Thomas joins Fender board: Guitar Center Foundation now under Fender banner.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... LARRY THOMAS, the former CEO of Guitar Center who was an architect of the chain's dramatic growth, has joined the board of directors of Fender Musical Instrument Corp. Simultaneously, the Guitar Center Music Foundation, which Thomas heads, will...

LM Products celebrates 30th year in business.(FLASH)
May 1, 2009... 2009 MARKS THE 30th anniversary for LM Products, Inc. Founded in 1979 by Larry Mechem, LM Products started out with only one employee, a few hides of leather, and a sewing machine. The company is now a leading manufacturer of U.S.-made guitar...

Wyman Piano names U.S. distributor for Orla pianos & keyboards.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... In his role on the Fender board, Thomas will be consult with Fender's sales and marketing staff. As something of an industry historian and an avid guitar collector, Thomas commented, "I've admired Fender as a company since the days of Leo...

Rockbag, Rockcase, Rockstand added: GHS Music Products.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... GHS CORPORATION of Battle Creek, Michigan, is now the official exclusive USA distributor for Rockbag, Rockstand, and Rockcase. These new lines join GHS Strings, Rocktron, and D'Angelico under the new GHS Music Products umbrella. ...

America Sidco bridges gap between U.S. firms and overseas suppliers.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... FOR AMERICAN COMPANIES seeking manufacturing partners in Asia, the complexities run deeper than the language barrier. Unfamiliar business protocol, fluctuating costs, and wildly disparate standards of workmanship make the overseas manufacturing...

No minimum orders required: VHT.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... IN SUPPORT OF ITS DEALERS who are working to make every dollar count, VHT Amplification is continuing its policy of requiring no minimum orders. "Many manufacturers or distributors require large buy-ins," said Steve Patrino, president of...

Timberline Guitars supports retailers with unique web effort.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... TIMBERLINE GUITARS' new digital distribution plan, with automatic commissions on every sale, has been called the perfect marriage of brick-and-mortar and the internet. Timberline maintains a website where its guitars are offered for sale to...

American Music & Sound now shipping Nord keyboard line.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... AMERICAN MUSIC & SOUND is now shipping the full line of Nord keyboards, including the new Electro 3. "Nord brings an amazing legacy of incredible sounding and great playing keyboard instruments," said Lynn Martin, president of American Music &...

Vandoren artist Coffin with Dave Matthews: Dansr.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... VANDOREN ARTIST Jeff Coffin, saxophonist/composer and three-time Grammy Award winner with Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, began touring with the Dave Matthews Band on April 14, debuting at their New York City appearance at Madison Square Garden....

AvantGrand racks up media accolades: Yamaha.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... DUE TO HIT piano stores this summer, the Yamaha AvantGrand has already generated buzz in the country's savviest consumer technology media outlets. As the world's first "hybrid" piano, the AvantGrand not only effectively simulates the sound of a...

Roland creates Drumlab at USC Thornton School.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... ROLAND CORPORATION, U.S. has partnered with The University of Southern California Thornton School of Music to create the Roland Drumlab, the first of its kind in the nation. Although many music schools require their students to take courses in...

Expanded production in larger factory: Los Cabos Drumsticks.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... IN THIS TIME of economic uncertainty, many manufacturers are reducing their production, reducing the number of their employees, or closing altogether. In the midst of this turmoil, Los Cabos Drumsticks is expanding. Los Cabos has constructed a...

Rock House customers meet their 'guitar hero'.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... ROCK HOUSE helped three customers attend a DVD shoot featuring their "guitar hero," Bullet For My Valentine founder and lead guitarist Michael Paget. Mike and Danny Graziano and their friend Jake Levine from Sommers High School in Sommers, New...

Mondomusica XXII: the world's foremost exhibition of orchestral stringed instruments and classical guitars promises to be bigger, more vibrant, and more global than ever in 2009.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WITH NEW TRADE SHOWS elbowing their way onto the calendar between long-running educator shows, association conferences, and other business-essential events, some manufacturers and distributors complain of feeling...

Distribution deal with Warwick: Graph Tech.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... GRAPH TECH Guitar Labs, the world's largest guitar nut and saddle manufacturer, is now distributed exclusively by Warwick Music in Germany, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. "We are excited to enter this distribution...

De Haske composers visit Hal Leonard.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... KEY COMPOSERS from De Haske, the leading European instrumental music publisher acquired by Hal Leonard last fall, recently traveled to Milwaukee to visit their new corporate headquarters. The composers were accompanied by De Haske founder and...

Jagermeister events to take U.K. by storm: Orange Amplifiers.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... IN A PARTNERSHIP between Orange Amplification and the world-famous liquor brand Jagermeister, Orange amps will be used in a wide range of high-profile Jagermeister events. This collaboration makes Orange the exclusive amplifier partner of...

Groove guru Latham joins artist roster: Dream Cymbals.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... DREAM CYMBALS and Gongs has welcomed acclaimed Los Angeles session and touring drummer Rick Latham to its family of exclusive endorsers. "We're thrilled and honored that Rick has decided to endorse our cymbals," stated Dream Cymbals President...

Share prices of publicly traded industry firms.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... SHARE PRICES OF PUBLICLY TRADED INDUSTRY FIRMS PRICE AS OF P/E 52-WEEK RANGE APR. 13, 2009 RATIO HIGH-LOW Apple Computer Inc. $120.44 $22.38...

FDW distribution debuts: new pro-audio distribution firm headed by industry veteran Buzz Goodwin.(FOREFRONT)
May 1, 2009... THE CHALLENGING ECONOMIC climate has done nothing to dampen aggressive growth plans at FDW Corp., a newly launched distribution business based in Madison, Wisconsin. Headed by industry veteran Buzz Goodwin, the company currently has North and...

KMC Music, Inc.: a new name ... A renewed commitment.(PROFILE)
May 1, 2009... Conventional wisdom says that change is inevitable. In fact, change is a key ingredient of the progress that's essential to the success of any business endeavor. On the other hand, colloquial wisdom says, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it,"...

What recession? Grand opening festivities at new Willis Music Superstore draw over 1,000 customers.(RETAILER UPDATE)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ONE THOUSAND CUSTOMERS lined up for a six-hour grand opening extravaganza at a new Willis Music superstore in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday March 14. The event featured a free clinic and meet-and-greet with...

Store hosts music therapy workshop: West Music.(RETAILER UPDATE)
May 1, 2009... MUSIC THERAPISTS at West Music Company recently hosted and presented an "Empowerment Workshop" for regional music therapists at its Coralville retail location. Twenty-four music therapists from Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and Missouri attended...

A new approach to online sales: how a growing number of dealers are supplementing sales through online shopping sites such as Amazon.com and eBay.com.(RETAILER UPDATE)(Company overview)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IN GENERAL, SELLING online extends a retailer's reach beyond the community surrounding its brick-and-mortar location. Music e-tailers benefit--and benefit from--the large percentage of the population that doesn't...

Veteran Trent opens drum store in L.A.: Drum Oasis.(RETAILER UPDATE)
May 1, 2009... DRUM INDUSTRY VETERAN and president of Ontario Music, Inc. (Ontario, California) Todd Trent has opened Todd Trent's Drum Oasis, a full-service professional drum shop located 30 miles east of Los Angeles. Although Ontario Music has served the...

Don't get stuck in the past: the "good old days" weren't that great anyway. To succeed you have to live in the present.(BOB POPYK ON SELLING)
May 1, 2009... This column won't mean anything to music dealers who have only been in business for a short time. In fact, being in business just a few years isn't very long for us "been-there-done-that music-business veterans, industry old-timers, and people...

In school music are demographics destiny? Over a multi-decade time frame, the single biggest factor determining the school music market has been the number of kids enrolled in school. In fact, instrument sales and enrollment levels have marched in virtual lockstep. Good news for the industry is the fact that a coming surge in enrollment should spark significant growth over the next five years.
May 1, 2009... Education is a topic that dominates the public conversation. Politicians, pundits, and well-meaning bystanders from all points of the ideological compass swamp the news daily with pronouncements on what's wrong, what's right, and what needs to...

What's really happening in the school?(SCHOOL MUSIC)
May 1, 2009... You've heard all the horror stories about slashed budgets and gutted programs, but what's really happening out there? We put the question to a cross-section of retailers, and the answer is more complex than any one of these issues alone. Tight...

The rise, fall, and rebirth of Getzen: now celebrating its 70th year, iconic American brass manufacturer has enjoyed a renaissance since returning to Getzen family control in 1991.(COMPANY PROFILE)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The town of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, population 9,000, chronicles a musical heritage disproportionate to its size. Its noted Elkhorn Band, later to be known as the Holton-Elkhorn Band, dates back to the 1840s and was...

Why school music dealers are smiling: no one is completely immune from the recession, but cautious optimism prevailed at the recent School Music Dealer gathering as participants reported a strong rental season, continued support for music programs, and the prospect of government aid.(REPORT FROM NASMD)
May 1, 2009... On the same day that the Nation's unemployment rate soared to a 25-year high of 8.5%, dealers gathered at the 47th annual National Association of School Music Dealers convention and listened to a story of promise about how the government's new...

Phil Barone saxophones: delivering the essence of vintage saxophones in a high-value, high-quality product.(COMPANY PROFILE)
May 1, 2009... Trained in the complex jazz stylings of Lenny Tristano and Sal Mosca, saxophonist Phil Barone came to believe that no two players should sound alike. In the late '80s Barone applied his idiosyncratic approach to crafting custom mouthpieces that...

Building the stringed instrument market: by expanding the ranks of qualified teachers, the National String Project Consortium creates new market opportunities for retailers and manufacturers.(SCHOOL MUSIC)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For years sales of stringed instruments, as with school band instruments, closely tracked school enrollment. (See article on page 52.) Bur recently orchestral string sales have climbed disproportionately, suggesting...

No safe harbors: reflecting an interconnected world, the Frankfurt Fair saw all markets and all product categories pushing hard against the same economic headwinds. The good news is that innovation holds the key to future growth.(Frankfurt Fair Dispatch)
May 1, 2009... Improved transportation and communication have made the world a smaller place, and one by-product of this shrinking process has been that economic problems tend to spread much more quickly. This global interconnectedness was apparent at the...

Alfred names Bryan Bradley COO.(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2009... ALFRED MUSIC PUBLISHING has appointed Bryan Bradley chief operating officer. As a member of Alfred's executive management team, Bradley's new role at Alfred will be essential in continuing the growth and vitality of the organization. ...

Brian Swerdfeger to lead marketing & sales: Taylor Guitars.(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2009... BRIAN SWERDFEGER has been appointed vice president of marketing and sales for Taylor Guitars. Swerdfeger, who had been serving as vice president of marketing, will now lead both divisions of the company. Swerdfeger joined Taylor in 2003 as...

New vice presidents for St. Louis Music: U.S. Band.(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2009... MARK RAGIN, CEO of U.S. Band/St. Louis Music has appointed three new vice presidents: Jim Eaton, vice president of Knilling and orchestral sales; Devin Pelton, vice president of Blessing and educational sales; and Rich Dumstorff, vice president...

Goldheim to head Focusrite, Novation sales at American Music & Sound.(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2009... INDUSTRY VETERAN Ralph Goldheim has joined American Music & Sound as national sales manager for Focusrite and Novation products. With more than 25 years experience, Goldheim has held senior sales and marketing positions Ralph Goldheim with...

Wyman Piano taps Simpson, Thiel to lead Orla U.S. sales.(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2009... WYMAN PIANO COMPANY has appointed two new regional sales managers as it launches the distribution of Orla digital pianos in the USA. Lowell Simpson, who has held sales and management positions at Wurlitzer, Baldwin, and Roland Corporation,...

Rodgers Instruments strengthens sales & marketing team.(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RODGERS INSTRUMENTS has restructured its Sales & Marketing Department with a trio of new managers. Rick Anderson serves as sales manager with responsibility for...

David via to lead sales and marketing: D'Addario.(PEOPLE)
May 1, 2009... DAVID VIA HAS been promoted to vice president of sales and marketing for D'Addario & Company. In his new position Via is working to integrate sales and marketing activities to increase sales and brand desirability of the various D'Addario...

Crown launches lightweight XTI power amp series.(PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CROWN INTERNATIONAL'S new XTI6000 offers advanced power performance, improved system reliability, anda new breakthrough user interface for configuration and control in Crown's HiQnet Band Manager. Building on the...

Artist series released to aftermarket: Zero Crossing/N-Tune.(PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... THE "ARTIST SERIES" onboard guitar tuner from Zero Crossing, the maker of the N-Tune True-Bypass Chromatic Tuner, has been added to the company's aftermarket product line. Previously only available to professional artists and through direct...

Kaces affordable 24" cymbal bag.(PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WITH ITS NEW 24" CYMBAL BAG, Kaces delivers a professional-level bag that sells for under $100. This heavy-duty padded cymbal bag features individual padded dividers on the inside to separate cymbals and cushion them...

Godlyke PA-9D Power-All cuts need for batteries.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GODLYKE'S PA-9 Power-All is the world's first 2000 mA, single-outlet power supply designed specifically for guitar effect users. Rather than waste money and natural resources on disposable batteries, users can now...

Dunlop's new Kirk Hammett Signature Wah.
May 1, 2009... DEVELOPED IN CLOSE collaboration with Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, Dunlop's new Kirk Hammett Signature Wah delivers the wah-wah sound that has revolutionized metal solos since the 1980s and that Hammett uses on tour with his DCR1SR Crybaby...

Wall Stand and Harmony Stand debut: Manhasset Stands.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... TWO NEW MODELS from Manhasset Stands, the Wall Stand and the Harmony Stand, are designed for space-saving functionality and storage. The Wall Stand is ideal for those applications where space is too limited to conveniently use conventional...

PA202 low-heat amp & MX153 updated mixer: Rolls Corporation.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... THE NEW PA202 from Rolls Corporation is a compact class D amplifier with a low-heat design enabling it to be mounted in very tight applications. This amp features 20 watts per channel stereo, and 40 watts when in bridge/mono mode. It is ideal...

Ohana all-solid concert uke.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... OHAHA UKULELES' new all-solid concert CK-65D has a modern design that features a solid spruce soundboard, solid mahogany back and sides, elegant sound hole design, strikingly beautiful rosewood and maple fingerboard, body binding, and a...

Bob Conti signature sticks introduced: Players Music Accessories.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... BOB CONTI, iconic percussionist, writer, performer, and producer, is the newest endorsee of Synthetic Drumsticks by Duratech, a division of Players Music Accessories. Conti currently plays percussion for Jose Feliciano and can be heard on more...

Martin guitar re-releases affordable '1 Series'.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... WITH THE REINTRODUCTION of its "1 Series" acoustic guitars, C.F. Martin offers a popular and affordable instrument for these challenging economic rimes. Initially introduced in 1993, the 1 Series is a traditional solid wood guitar in the spirit...

Expanded world percussion lines: Tycoon Percussion.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... TYCOON PERCUSSION has expanded its world percussion offerings with exciting new pro-quality African drums in its Signature, Traditional, and Dancing Drum Series lines. Complementing Tycoon's top-of-the-line Signature Series of congas and bongos...

Covers and carry bag for Loudbox: Fishman.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... FISHMAN ACOUSTIC Amplification is now offering slip covers for its popular Loudbox 100 and Performer amplifiers and a padded shoulder bag for the Loudbox 100. Custom designed for Fishman by Gator Cases, the Loudbox covers are made from durable...

Levy's Slimline Sonic-Art straps.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... SKINNY TIES ARE BACK in style, and Levy's has designed a series of guitar straps to match. A narrow 1-1/2" polyester webbing is used for the printing of Levy's Slimline Sonic-Art designs, which feature decorative black binding and leather ends....

Kustom Deep End hybrid tube bass amps.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... NEW DEEP END bass amps from Kustom combine classic, punchy tube amp tones and touch with the robust power and articulation of solid-state power amp designs. Utilizing a 12AX7 preamp in tandem with a Tube Gain control, players can drive the tube...

Multiac Grand Concert Duet Ambiance guitar: Godin.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... CANADIAN-BASED GODIN Guitars' new Multiac Duet Ambiance model features incredible amplified nylon string sound with blendable sound imaging mic settings. Representing the next-generation of the electro/acoustic nylon string guitar, the Multiac...

Gator cases GM-Broadcast utility bag.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... WITH ITS VERSATILE carry-all design, Gator's new GM-Broadcast bag stores most field recorders along with two microphones, headphones, cables, and accessories. The multi-section system has one cavity to store a smaller handheld micro-recorder...

Mark Bryan endorses Sierra guitars: Kaman.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Sound recording review)
May 1, 2009... GUITARIST AND singer/songwriter Mark Bryan of Hootie and the Blowfish is the newest endorser of Sierra Guitars. Bryan plays the Sierra Northstar 12-string guitar in Natural. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bryan is a founding member,...

Syren series advances with XT: Tregan Guitars.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... THE SYRENXT, the second-generation Syren by Tregan Guitars, combines the best of T.G.'s signature and standard series Syrens while incorporating suggestions from professional players and customers for a truly player-oriented instrument. ...

Non-Slip Drum Mat: DrumFire.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... DRUMFIRE'S NEW Non-Slip Drum Mat, available from The Music People, Inc., is designed for drummers who are tired of dragging around bulky rugs to keep their kits from sliding around the stage. A truly portable solution to creeping drums, the...

M-Audio CX series studio reference monitors.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... IN ITS NEW CX series, M-Audio delivers two moderately priced high-resolution active studio reference monitors to complement its entry-level DX and high-end DSM monitors. With proprietary driver designs, custom waveguides, seamless crossover...

Jay Turser ATAK guitars: American Music & Sound.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... CREATED FROM RADICAL designs by Jay Turser's master luthiers, new ATAK guitars combine form, tone, and value. Five new designs are available, each with a unique shape and bridge configuration option. ATAK guitars feature maple neck with...

Very Vintage Mahogany guitar: Bourgeois Guitars.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... THE VERY VINTAGE Mahogany from Bourgeois Guitars pays homage to an earlier era of American guitar making. Among the traditional materials used in the Very Vintage Mahogany are an Adirondack red spruce top selected for its superior tone;...

New ultra-thin travel ukes: Kala Ukulele.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2009... KALA BRAND UKULELE'S new ultra-thin thinbody ukes can be taken anywhere: stuffed into a backpack, suitcase, or briefcase. These unique ukuleles feature a 1-1/4" to 1-3/4" arch-back thin-body depth with a surprisingly full sound. The...

Virgil Lay.
May 1, 2009... VIRGIL LAY, musician, luthier, and founder of S.I.T. Strings Co., died March 10, 2009, near his home in Akron, Ohio. Lay was born January 2, 1924, in Vina, Alabama, and moved to Akron in 1946. In the early 1960s he opened Lay's Guitar Repair...

Edmond Bauthier.
May 1, 2009... EDMOND BAUTHIER, vice president of International Sales for Pro-Mark Corporation and Aquarian, passed away on February 4, 2009, while on business in Belgium. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bauthier was a 25-year veteran of the music industry...

The unique Steinway car.(100 Years Ago)
May 1, 2009... If you happen to see a small pearl gray automobile runabout in the city, take a moment to study its mechanism and construction, which will undoubtedly interest you. For this car, while a composite, ought to be called the Steinway automobile as...

Consumers prefer local stores.(75 Years Ago)
May 1, 2009... Local music dealers won the decision in preference to their larger competitors in neighboring big cities in a survey conducted by students of Brigham Young University. Buyers like to select their musical instruments and sheet music in their...

Pushing school piano lessons.(50 Years Ago)
May 1, 2009... A whopping 79% of parents questioned in national sampling favored piano instruction in schools, in the same fashion as band and orchestra is made available to students. Clay Sherman, NAMM president, said, "It is obvious that piano instruction...

Software is the next phase.(25 Years Ago)
May 1, 2009... Passport Design's Bruce Bethke explains, "Music software is the next phase in the evolution of synthesizers. As synthesizers become more sophisticated and microcomputers like the Apple II and the Commodore 64 become more common, musicians and...

Hillary Clinton for music.(10 Years Ago)
May 1, 2009... She's the First Lady and a high-profile New York candidate for the Senate. She's also a prominent advocate for education and music in the schools. Hillary Clinton recently delivered a rousing speech detailing the unique educational benefits of...

100 years ago.(FLASHBACKS)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Maine Phonograph of Portland, Maine, was cited as a model of "modern merchandising methods."

50 years ago.(FLASHBACKS)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ludwig Drums introduced its 200-page catalog in celebration of the company's 50th anniversary. Extensively detailing product specs and production methods, the book was a bible for drummers. Ironically, fledgling...