COVER STORIES
3rd Annual NAMM New Product Spotlight
We once again present our annual NAMM New Product Spotlight: now in its third year and continuing to grow in both size and popularity. Here, we showcase nearly 60 of the hottest items on display in Anaheim: stuff you simply can’t head home without having seen.
A Look Back At 2014
When we look back at 2014 a few years from now, among the positives cited will be unemployment rates dropping, a strong stock market and low gas prices. But a key question remains: did these factors actually help to boost MI retailers’ bottom lines?
INTERVIEW
Five Minutes With
We present an interview with Kurt Listug, CEO and Co-Founder of Taylor Guitars, who’s spent a career helping to build one of the United States’ most iconic guitar manufacturers. Listug discusses everything from Taylor Guitars’ humble beginnings to its ascent to global prominence.
FEATURE
MI Spy
As if the revival of acoustic instruments weren’t enough, we’re also in a bit of a DIY renaissance regarding homemade instruments. With that red-hot trend in mind, our super sleuth headed down to Texas to look for parts and pieces for a homemade creation.
COLUMNS
Special To The Retailer
Recently, on the iMSO forum, a store owner was discussing a favorite promotion that seems to have run its course. Allen McBroom, a Partner of Backstage Music (Starkville MS), passes along several ideas for promotions that really work.
Special To The Retailer
The Retailer zooms in for an in-depth look at Gruhn Guitars and its Owner, George Gruhn. The store—and the man himself—is a legend on the Nashville TN music scene, and he’s had a lifetime’s worth of experience operating his namesake business.
Shine A Light
Although you could say it’s hidden in plain sight, Vic’s Drum Shop in downtown Chicago might be the biggest dedicated drum store in North America.
Retailer Rebel
In his debut column, Gabriel O’Brien, Sales Manager at Larry’s Music Center, closely examines dealer-vendor relations, asking whether and how they mirror customer-dealer relations.
Business & Marketing
Whether your business is new to eBay or you’re a seasoned veteran, David Hall has nine tips that will help you identify the most common seller mistakes and effective ways to fix them.
Veddatorial
Recently, The Retailer broke some huge news: Mike Pratt has resigned as Guitar Center’s CEO and the Board of Directors has recruited Darrell Webb to replace him.
Under The Hood
MXL Microphones, a division of Marshall Electronics, is a company known for being on the leading edge of technology. And perhaps no product line better exemplifies that fact than the Mobile Media Series.