-Guitar Hero is all the rage for consumers.

-Need to take a break from searching for the latest gear during The NAMM Show? Here are some celebrity appearances and parties to check out.

-Attendance increased at Music China and Prolight + Sound, and Kenny G made a big splash.

-Improving next month's NAMM Show is like making the 1972 Miami Dolphins better. But NAMM is certainly not resting on its laurels.

-We reveal all of the manufacturer nominees for Music & Sound Awards to be handed out next month at The NAMM Show.

-Counterfeiting on MI products, particularly guitars, may have received minimal national press, but the problem is real and not going away.

-Find out how to sell products your customers are probably not looking to buy.

-M&SR features its second annual independent retailer roundtable. What's on dealer's mind's this year. Are things better than last year?

-Females playing musical instruments now outnumber males, according to a NAMM/Gallup survey.

-Industry leaders paved the way for the next 10 years.

Charles Dumont Music Co.
“We here at Charles Dumont & Son, Inc. are extremely honored to have been selected as one of the music industry’s most dealer-friendly companies. Being a family owned and operated business, with a talented group of extended family employees, has helped us maintain a high level of customer satisfaction. Our goal has always been to have the best in-stock fill rate combined with the service our customers deserve. We also pride ourselves with having a state-of-the-art special order service, providing virtually any item in print will be procured. We thank the industry for this honor and will work diligently to remain on this list for years to come.”
—Charles Dumont, Charles Dumont & Son

Chesbro
“It is a great honor for Chesbro Music Co. to be named a company friendly to the independent music retailer. We pride ourselves on meeting the needs of our customers; the music retailers we supply. Time and money are valuable contributors to the success of the independent retailer. At Chesbro Music Co., we know this and have built our business in such a way to save our customers time and money…We have a 99 percent same-day fill rate for orders placed before 1 p.m. and a 100 percent next-day fill rate for orders placed after 1 p.m. …The biggest benefit we provide to independent retailers is our service.”
—Arie Noot, Chesbro Music

Crafter USA Guitars and Ashland Guitars
“On behalf of the entire Crafter USA team, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the independent retailers who hold us in such high regard. Everyone at Crafter USA has had retail experience and we feel that we have a fair understanding of the needs and objectives of our customers. We constantly strive to meet these needs through offerings of high quality, profitable, and competitive products. We make available, based on customer feedback, dealer-friendly programs and service to sustain our mutual goals. To us it’s all about making music, educating the consumer, and taking them to the next level. We feel the independent music retailers provide this service. Without the dedication of the independent music stores the overall music experience would suffer.”
—Joe Arias, Crafter USA

Curt Mangan Strings
“We made a decision to be ‘independents only’ when we launched the company and we’ve never looked back. Our dealers are amazing!”
—Curt Mangan, Curt Mangan Strings

Davitt & Hanser and Kustom Amps and PA Systems
(Hanser Holdings International)

DR Strings

Ernie Ball Strings and Music Man Guitars & Basses
“We value our independent dealer base and are honored they collectively recognize our efforts in creating and maintaining a level playing field.”
—Brian Ball, Ernie Ball

G & L Guitars

Hagstrom Guitars
(American Music & Sound)

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