JANUARY 17, 2008 - VOLUME 25, No.1
From Hero to Eternity?
Guitar Hero is all the rage for consumers. But will it bring customers into your stores? We asked eight people who love the game and never played an instrument before what their plans are.
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Celebrity Corner
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.
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MI BUZZ
The Latest, Industry, Dealers, People and Product Buzz and Showcases.

COLUMNS
The Music & Sound Independent Retailer
We head to Western Kentucky to feature Owensboro Music Center and make it to Long Island to interview Wright Music this month.

MI Spy
Spy is off to the Garden State, a place where you can’t make left turns, but gas is a bargain (comparatively speaking). And of course, it’s home to Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen. Spy wanted to find a beginner guitar. Did he/she find “Glory Days” or was he/she “Livin’ on a Prayer?”

Five Minutes With...
Yamaha’s Rick Young talks new products, parties, and of course, MI.

Birth of a Product: Marathon Pro
Speaking of “The Boss,” Marathon Pro was “Born in the U.S.A.” Here’s the story behind the pro audio/DJ company.

Veddatorial
Dan Vedda describes why MI needs a “reboot,” or “clean install,” as he calls it.

Formidable Females
We debut a column featuring top women in MI and discuss their careers and rise to prominence. First up: Kaman’s Nikki Nearing

CURTAIN CALL
Peter Frampton comes alive to tell us what guitars, effects, and amps he loves.
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