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

Best Cabled Microphone of 2008:

Electro-Voice PL80

Sennheiser e 965

Audio-Technica AT2020USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone
“Audio-Technica is honored to receive these nominations for 2008. These products were created in response to customer requests and input, and we are pleased with the support and recognition the Music & Sound Retailer readers have shown. These nominations mean a lot to us because they come from those on the frontline of the music industry.”—Gary Boss, marketing director, retail, live sound & studio

Neumann TLM 67

Audix M1255
“When we finished the design of the M1255 high-output miniature condenser, we knew we had come up with a great product that would be a great problem-solver for a wide variety of distance mic’ing applications. To be recognized for this accomplishment by the dealers in our industry is indeed a pleasant surprise and a great honor.” 
—Cliff Castle

Best Wireless System of 2008:

Audio-Technica M3 Wireless In-Ear Monitor System

Shure UR1M Micro-Bodypack

Line 6 X2 XDR955
“Line 6 is honored to receive this nomination. Through our products and technology, including digital wireless microphones, we work very hard to make a positive contribution to music creation. This nomination is very much appreciated.”—Jamie Scott, national sales manager-wireless.

Best Drum Set of 2008:

Percussion Plus PP3350
“We are thrilled to be nominated in this category.  We truly appreciate music dealers’ recognition of our commitment to provide a quality and dependable drum set.”—Craig Toporek

Yamaha DTXTREME III

Gretsch 125th Anniversary Limited Edition Progressive Jazz Drumset

Tama Stewart Copeland Limited Edition

Best Cymbal of 2008:

Zildjian’s K Light Series

Meinl Generation X China Crashes
“Everyone at Meinl would like you to know how truly honored we are to have our Generation X China Crash nominated for Best Cymbal. It is particularly gratifying to be recognized for our commitment to innovation, which has always been at the core of the Meinl tradition.”—Mitch McMichen, president

Sabian Vault Fierce Hats
“Our Vault collection highlights SABIAN innovation and the ability of our Vault Team to shape ideas into cymbal sounds. The Vault Fierce Hats—like the Fierce Crash and Fierce Ride—were our response to the sensational Jojo Mayer’s request to ‘reverse engineer’ to create dry, dark and dirty… really fierce new sounds. It’s great to see such a uniquely eclectic—though highly relevant—choice being made by M&SR readers. Thank you, readers!”—Wayne Blanchard, senior marketing manager.

Paiste Signature Reflector Bell Ride

Best Percussion Accessory of 2008:

Evans G Plus Drumheads
“Evans is honored to be nominated by Music and Sound Retailer for our G Plus tom and snare heads. The product is a result of several years of effort in order to design a better single-ply head that players could rely on to hold up in more aggressive playing situations, yet still maintain the feel, tone, and resonance of a single-ply head. We’re glad that these design intentions are now being reflected in the experiences and comments from players.”—Michael Robinson, senior product manager

Gibraltar Stealth Vertical Mounting System (VMS)

Lenny White Signature Stick
“Thank you for the distinction. We’re very proud to be nominated. Lenny White is one of today’s greatest drummers. I hope we’ve made him a musical tool that meets his artistical standards.”
—Vic Firth

Peterson BodyBeat Metronome

Best Instructional Book/Video of 2008

Rock House Metal Guitar: Melodic Speed, Shred, and Heavy Riffs

Sony Creative Software Parthenon Huxley and Matt Fink Series

Alfred 5-String Bass
“This totally rocks!! We’re very happy to hear about the nomination of Alfred’s American Idol Presents: Sing Like an American Idol! for “Best Music Software/Multimedia” and 5-String Bass—a joint effort with our partner, National Guitar Workshop—for “Best Instructional Book/Video.” Alfred strives to give dealers and consumers quality materials that allow all musicians to learn, teach, and play music. It is an awesome feeling to know the Music & Sound Retailer and its readers have taken notice of these products and our efforts to create materials which will continue the evolution of music education. Right on!”—Ron Manus, executive vice president

eMedia Guitar Master Play Guitar For Real
“eMedia is proud to be recognized for our continued efforts to further guitar instruction and music technology.”—Dave Kurtiak, educational and music channel sales manager

PreSonus Cubase LE 4: Demystified

Best Floor Effect of 2008:

The Moog Multi-Pedal

Ibanez JEMINI Steve Vai Signature Distortion Pedal

Vox Satchurator Distortion Pedal

Digitech Vocalist Live

Best Music Software/ Multimedia of 2008:

Vox Jam Vox

Steinberg CUBASE 4.5

Alfred American Idol Presents: Sing Like an American Idol

IK Multimedia Composer Trio

Best Bag/Case of 2008

Gator’s G-Cobra Series Guitar Gig Bags

Road Ready 2008 Gigskinz Series
“We are honored to be nominated for the best bag/case of 2008. Making tough, good looking and functional gig bags is our passion. We’ve always followed our gut and broke the mold by creating innovative stylish gig bags that people actually want to show off and be seen carrying. Our new 2008 Gigskinz series holds true to our values.”
—Agatha Gerutto

Namba Gear Kava Laptop Studio Bag
“It is gratifying for Namba Gear to be nominated for creating high-performance transport solutions for laptop musicians, remixers and DJs. As our retailers have told us, it is so rewarding that simply showing a musician or DJ a quality bag for their gear actually connects-the-dots for a mobile laptop studio or performance application; which can often lead to even more sales, enabling the customer to exploit the advantages of making their computer-based controllers and audio gear portable.”—Woody Moran

Access Bags and Cases FatBoy 1

Prudencio Saez USA Universal Guitar Cover
“We at Prudencio Saez USA feel honored to have readers at the Music and Sound Retailer select our product. the Music & Sound Retailer has presented the item in such a way that several dealers have contacted us and inquired about this hot-selling item. Thank you.”
—Eduardo Macadar

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