COVER STORIES
Stating an Optimistic Case
Despite difficult times, accessories, bags and cases manufacturers continue to show strength.
Home Is Where Pro Audio Is
Although the end-user dynamic has shifted, quarantine creativity has boosted the pro-audio market.
FEATURES
Tribute
The Retailer offers a special tribute to former writer Rebecca Apodaca.
Shine a Light
We “get on the bandwagon” with a visit to Bandwagon Music & Repair, which first opened its Nashville doors only four years ago with the goal of making musical instruments.
Under the Hood
Taylor Guitar’s Grand Theater (GT) is not simply just a new guitar launch. Instead, it is a new mid-sized platform that utilizes what is sure to be another new Taylor staple: “C”-class bracing architecture.
INTERVIEWS
Five Minutes With
“It’s been challenging in many ways! But we are working our tails off and pivoting, literally on a daily basis, to take advantage of new opportunities and create different formats of product to respond to musicians’, teachers’ and students’ needs during these challenging times,” says Hal Leonard’s Doug Lady.
The Final Note
Ernie Ball’s Brian Ball not only loves guitars. The former collegiate tennis player is a huge sports fan, including UFC, NFL, NBA and golf.
MISSION REPORT
MI Spy
MI Spy made his/her second in-person visit since the pandemic hit, with a trip to Syracuse, N.Y., at a time when COVID-19 infections were low and the bonechilling cold had yet to rear its ugly head.
COLUMNS
In the Trenches
One surprising result of the pandemic has been the extent to which inventory has become unavailable, states Allen McBroom.
Veddatorial
People still want to play music, and if we can make them aware of our ability to help in that endeavor, we’ll benefit, says Dan Vedda.
Grassroots Marketing
Be flexible, be creative and be yourself. These are the three ways to market during a pandemic, reveal Miriam and Mike Risko.