COVER STORIES
Guitar Center’s Grand Renaissance
MI’s largest retailer has had an incredible recent turnaround. We get an exclusive scoop from CEO Ron Japinga and senior vice president, chief marketing and communications officer, Jeannine D’Addario.
The Nifty Fifty
Looking for all the latest product launches at NAMM? You’ve come to the right place. Here are 50 for you.
FEATURES
NAMM Educational Listings
Ravi on the Record
Former columnist for the retailer, Ravi, returns for a special cameo article to pay tribute to a retailer we recently lost.
The Music & Sound Independent Retailer
Retailers revitalize with Reverb.
INTERVIEWS
Five Minutes With
Tom Sumner was named president of Yamaha Corp. of America on April 1. This is the first time that the world’s largest musical instrument manufacturer, Yamaha Corp., has named an American executive to the top position in the United States. We asked Sumner what that means to him, how his tenure has gone thus far and much more.
Front and Center
A couple of months back, we took a look at Ossining, N.Y.-based Mike Risko Music. Now, the Women’s International Network conducted an interview with Miriam Risko, for whom music is truly in her blood.
The Final Note
We wrap up the editorial portion of our January NAMM issue with an interview with Justin Norvell, executive vice president, Fender Products, a Kurt Vonnegut fan who is a completely self-taught guitarist. Find out who his greatest influence is and much more.
PRODUCTS
Under the Hood
In our first of two “Under the Hood” articles this month, we take an in-depth look at Audinate’s Dante AVIO Series.
Under the Hood
Our second “Under the Hood” takes a look at Celestion’s F12-X200.
MISSION REPORT
MI Spy
MI Spy is back. He/she took on the City of Brotherly Love to find a keyboard. Could he/she find a keyboard in the Keystone State?
COLUMNS
Tips From the Teacher
San Diego Music Studio’s Kimberly Deverell joins the Music & Sound Retailer by penning her first column about lessons and education.
Confessions of a Retailer
Springfield Music’s Donovan Bankhead returns for Part 3 of his “Keeping Your Pipeline Moving” column.
Not Your Average Column
It’s a new year, and Tim Spicer has four resolutions to make it your best year yet.
Retailing Better
It’s 2019. The reality is, MI retailers need to have a strong online component, explains Robert Christie.
In the Trenches
What is a MAP Holiday? Allen McBroom explains.
Retailer Rebel
A new year is a good time to think about where you are and where you plan on going. Composing a brand message is a simple and effective way to start planning your strategy going forward. By deciding what this message is, you set the tone for your store.
Shine a Light
Wheaton, Md.-based Washington Music Center celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2018 and is still going strong.
Veddatorial
There are plenty of reasons why brick-and-mortar retail still provides plenty of benefits. Dan Vedda explains.