April 15, 2010 - VOLUME 28, No.4

Unplugged!
Acoustic guitar sales grew dramatically in 2009 and the beginning of 2010. Is this the beginning of a new trend?
[online story] >>

It’s In The Cards
You need to have PCI DSS-compliant terminals to handle credit card transactions by July 1. What are we talking about? Don’t worry, we’ll explain.
[online story] >>

MI BUZZ
The Latest, Industry, Dealers, People and Product Buzz and Showcases.

COLUMNS
Music & Sound Independent Retailer
We talk to Debra Perez and Will Baily about the recreational music making (RMM) movement. Should you offer RMM classes in your store?

Five Minutes With
We traveled to the county of Kent, in the United Kingdom, for a talk with Jason How of Rotosound. Martyn How and David Phillips join in. Rotosound plans for a huge push in the United States this year.

MI Spy
MI Spy took to Beantown shortly before the Red Sox hosted the Yankees on opening day. Was service a home run or a swing and a miss?

Dan the Man
Dan Ferrisi looks back at a NAMM session and ahead to a possible return to playing an instrument.

Appraisal Scene Investigation
A new column is born! Rebecca Apodaca, the matriarch of music instrument appraisals, begins a new monthly column. Appraising instruments is not only something you can do, but it can earn you a pretty penny on the side, as well.

Sales Guru
Gene Fresco teaches you how to be prepared as a salesperson

Veddatorial
The “Great Recession” has changed many of us forever. Here’s what Dan Vedda did, and what you have to do, to remain successful.

Formidable Females
For the first time, we feature multiple people in this column. We look at the genesis and growth of the all-women founded business, Fusion Bags.
[online story] >>