FEATURE
Class is in Session
We feature many of the new, hot companies that exhibited at NAMM in January.
Gibson
Indictments Likely
Gibson Guitar is expected to face charges due to alleged illegal wood imports.
NRF Talks Jobs,
Jobs and More Jobs
The key to retailers' success for 2011 is, you guessed it, jobs. But a lot more was discussed at the 100th NRF Annual Convention.
It’s a Record!
We give you a huge review of last month’s NAMM show. Were retailers and manufacturers optimistic for the rest of this year?
MSR Exclusive Interview
Zildjian and Vic Firth have teamed up to form a percussion powerhouse. We met with Craigie Zildjian and Vic Firth at NAMM to give you all of the details about the merger.
Music Group's Master Plan
We get an exclusive look at the future of The Music Group, parent of Behringer, Bugera and more. We get an exclusive look at product launches, as well!
Knock it Off With the Knockoffs!
Counterfeit products are killing the MI industry. But one company is fighting back big time. We’ll tell you how badly knockoffs could affect the industry if left unchecked.
Music & Sound Award Nominees
We release the full list of nominees for Music & Sound Awards. See if your favorite product, person or company is nominated.
Taylor-Made For Europe
Taylor Guitars will sell all of its products directly to dealers in Europe beginning on Jan. 1. Find out why the big change was made and where Taylor’s European headquarters will be. We interview Brian Swerdfeger about it first.
We Cover it All!
For the second time, we honor instruments that get zero or little press...
A ‘Super’ Party on Kent Island
Experience PRS loaded up on celebrities, new products and much more. Get the full scoop...
‘Father of RMM’ Passes
Karl Bruhn, a tireless music industry devotee, mentored many and made awareness of health and wellness together a lifelong initiative.
Don’t ‘Skip’ this Story!
Skip’s Music Celebrates 30th Anniversary of its Special Event
I Just Wanna Bang
on the Drums All Day
Your One-Stop Shop For The Holidays!
Heathcare Provision Could
Be a Nightmare
America the Beautiful
Not Doubting Thomas
Mendello Retires, Thomas Named Fender CEO
Music City Mystery

Sharon Hennessey: Loves our industry, you will find out. She'll also tell you why she ultimately decided to join The Music People! And yes, she will definitely fill you in on her goals as a new NAMM board member.
Carla Alger: Being in the music industry is definitely the most exciting opportunity Carla Alger, chief financial officer at Two Old Hippies, has ever had. Find out why.
Dawn Werk:Dawn Werk, Alpha Books’ director of marketing, heads a group that is responsible for 450 non-fiction books. Now that’s a lot! Music is a small, but very important, part of that catalog.
Sonia Vallis: Sonia Vallis might be an only child, but she grew up with a sibling that has now become like another child to her.-
Catherine Polk
Cyndi Fritz
Janet Deering
Kathy How
Sarah Heil
Sue Avant

Back From the Future
Now that we looked at the future, let’s return to the present. Why should you attend Summer NAMM next month? We asked Lamond that very question. “I’m hearing that most people are experiencing flat or lower sales levels currently due to a number of economic factors, so that’s the best time to think about what you’ll do differently to improve results in the coming year,” he said. “By providing a robust show floor full of new products and exceptional learning opportunities in a relaxed, fun environment, NAMM has created the right environment for stores to equip themselves to do well in the second half of 2008.”

Then, of course, NAMM Breakfast and University Sessions are always a reason to attend. We asked Robertson what you can expect to see next month. “Ken Wilson and our Professional Development department have put a lot of thought into creating an educational program that really meets dealers’ needs right now,” he said. “Friday morning, everything kicks off with the annual State of the Industry address by Joe Lamond. Saturday, retailers will hear from Elly Valas, co-author of the best-selling Guerilla Retailing as she presents ‘Guerrilla Retailing: Unconventional Ways to Make Big Profits from Your Retail Business.’ Sunday will again feature NAMM’s ‘Best in Show’ featuring the hot products and finds from the Summer NAMM show floor.

“Also, NAMM’s Idea Center will be going non-stop with educational sessions covering important topics. This year, Sunday’s sessions will be about the Web, e-commerce, and Internet topics. The NAMM Idea Center is located at Booth No.837. Attendees will receive a free Idea Book and can fill out a survey for a chance to win a $100 gift card.” For a complete list of professional development sessions please visit www.namm.org/summer.”

Several other activities will take place during Summer NAMM, including the 7th annual Pre-Show Party at the Hang, which will take place on Thursday, June 19, at 7 p.m. in the main ballroom of the Renaissance Hotel.

The Muriel Anderson All-Star Guitar Night is set to take place on June 21 in the Ryman Auditorium. And of course, there will be exhibitor parties that were not announced as of this printing. For a complete list of NAMM events, check out the PLAYback supplement at NAMM.org. You can also find more information in the June issue of the Music & Sound Retailer and in our Vnewsletter at www.msretailer.com/vnewsletter.

If you haven’t been to Nashville in awhile—and many of us haven’t—we asked Robertson to give us a refresher on things you can take advantage of when you’re not roaming the show floor. “There’s plenty of good, live music every night in the downtown clubs just outside of the Nashville Convention Center,” he said. “Music City is full of venues pumping out music every night. They are even marked with ‘Live Music Venue’ signs. Take a stroll through the city and stop in any of the clubs to hear some great live music. They are playing at least four days a week and welcome music lovers from all over. There’s the Country Music Hall of Fame and Musician’s Hall of Fame and you can’t miss the historic Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. For a complete listing of Nashville attractions, please visit www.visitmusiccity.com.”

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