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

2009 was a rough year to be a celebrity. Understandably, manufacturers cut back on celebrity appearances at the NAMM show. But in 2010, celebrities are back with a vengeance. Here, we’ll provide a few of the appearances you can check out. Of course, the list is nowhere near comprehensive. Many more appearances will be announced post-press time. This is just a small taste of what you’ll see in fact. But it’s always great to look forward to those we already know will be there, and this list allows you to adjust your schedule accordingly.

Before the show starts, on Wed. Jan. 14, make sure to check out an all-star lineup at the Hilton Anaheim, California Ballroom D, presented by Behringer. Playing will be American Idol icon Blake Lewis, Gannin Arnold, Michael Ripoll, KJ Sawka, Allen Hinds, Rufus Philpot, Ronnie Gutierrez, Dave Hooper, and John Beasley.

Friday, Jan. 14, will mark the return the return of Yamaha’s Dealer Concert at Disney’s Hyperion Theater. The concert did not take place last year, but Yamaha did find a huge celebrity replacement, Alicia Keys, who played in the company’s Anaheim Marriott booth. Yamaha did not have the lineup finalized at press time. Check January’s VNewsletter for the stars who will perform.

On Saturday, Jan. 16, Rotosound will have a heavy lineup of heavy metal rockers. James Lomenzo of Megadeth will kick off the festivities at the company’s booth, No. 5596. Guns ‘n’ Roses star Duff McKagan will be on hand at 1 p.m. Eva Gardener, who just toured with Pink, will stop by at 2 p.m. Star bass player Billy Sheehan will appear at 3 p.m. And at 4 p.m., The Ratt Band will stop by.

On Sunday, Jan. 17, Fender will have Auto Vaughn, winner of the “Road Worn Contest,” playing in the company’s Spirit of R-n-R Theater. The company’s booth is located at Room 304A.

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