COVER STORIES
Music Speaks
The wind at our collective back, NAMM’s team of music industry leaders and artists swarmed the halls of Capitol Hill in May to thank our federal lawmakers for shepherding through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), as well as to urge full funding of the programs that the new education law has authorized.
‘Power’ Your Retail Store
Selling, renting, installing and servicing pro-audio gear is a great way for music retailers to boost their profits. This month, we feature three well-informed voices discussing the ins and outs of the amp and speaker business. Our participants are Yorkville Sound’s Tim Marshall, Peavey Electronics’ Courtland Gray and HARMAN’s Craig Lambrecht.
Nashville Hot
Last month’s Summer NAMM show, emanating from Music City Center in Nashville TN from June 23 to June 25, was a strong showing for both the association and the music products industry. The exposition enjoyed growth with respect to both exhibitors and registrants. We provide an in-depth look back at the show’s highlights.
Interview
Five Minutes With
Mission Report
MI Spy
Any regular reader of The Retailer knows that the MI Spy—our intrepid super sleuth—has his (or her?) favorites when it comes to locales to shop. In particular, our agent loves to head out to the west coast to soak in sunshine and the California vibe. This month’s target? Santa Cruz CA.
Features
The Music & Sound Independent Retailer
An update on your fellow brick-and-mortar independent retailers.
Columns
Special To The Retailer
Cindy Cook of The Candyman Strings & Things (Santa Fe NM), one of the retailer participants in the NAMM Music Education Advocacy DC Fly-In, provides an inspiring account of the event and urges her fellow retailers to participate.
Special From Guitar Center
To many brick-and-mortar retailers, Guitar Center is the metaphorical 800-pound gorilla that’s threatening to stomp out your business. Frank Crowson, Guitar Center’s Senior Vice President, Marketing, lays out a case to the contrary.
From The Trenches
We all get a tad stale from time to time. The trick is not to let stale become jaded. There’s always something new in our industry, and there’s always something new you can do at your store. Revive the old spark!
Front And Center
A new, bimonthly feature brought to you by the Women’s International Music Network (The WiMN) presents interviews that showcase accomplished women who work in the music industry. This month, we feature Deering Banjos’ Janet Deering.
Shine A Light
It was only a matter of time before someone merged the worlds of music making and online shopping in a way that new and old players alike found palatable. Enter Music Store Live.
Retailer Rebel
Last month, Gabriel O’Brien discussed the rise of New Media and its impact on MI retail. He also talked about the importance of generating original content. This month, he dives even deeper.
Veddatorial
Dan Vedda believes that the problems inherent in the dealer/supplier marriage have been dismayingly consistent…and they’re often dysfunctional at a reality-show level.
Under The Hood
Deering Banjo Company started as a family business, and it has grown into the world’s largest manufacturer of high-quality, American-made banjos. This month, we spotlight the company’s Artisan Goodtime Banjos.