COVER STORIES
Washington Capitals
NAMM advocacy delegates were treated warmly in our nation’s capital in late May. Find out what they were asking politicians and perspectives from retailers and manufacturers on their experience in Washington, D.C.
Heading in the Right Direction
For our annual pro-audio issue, we zero in specifically on the headphone and in-ear monitor market. Find out the state of the market and technologies that are changing the industry.
FEATURES
32nd Annual Music & Sound Award Dealer Winners
MI manufacturers voted on the top dealers for 2018.
Find out who won!
Not Your Average Column
In this special edition of “Not Your Average Column,” Tim Spicer recalls his experience at this year’s NAMM Advocacy Fly-In.
NAMM Fly-In Photo Spread
A collection of photos from this year’s annual NAMM Advocacy Fly-In.
Music & Sound Independent Retailer
Roland and BOSS announce dealer award winners, West Music announces the recipients of its 2018 Vendor Recognition Awards and more.
MSR Anniversary: Yorkville Sound
We take a look at the history of Yorkville Sound Ltd., celebrating 55 years in business.
NAMM Top 100 Dealer Awards
A photographic look at all of the winners honored June 29 at Summer NAMM in Nashville.
Under the Hood
Roland featured many product launches at a recent event at its U.S. headquarters. Key among them was the Roland TD-17 V-Drums Series.
INTERVIEW
Five Minutes With
Roland had a major drum launch event at its U.S. headquarters, where The Music & Sound Retailer met up with Takahiro Murai, Roland HQ drum product manager, and Jules Tabberer-Stewart, Roland MU drum marketing strategy manager, to talk about the state of the drum industry and how the sound produced by electronic drums is closing the gap on their acoustic brethren.
The Final Note
Learn plenty about one of MI’s most effervescent personalities: Ron Manus, chief business development officer, Alfred Music.
MISSION REPORT
MI Spy
MI Spy takes to Baltimore, where he/she hopes to be charmed in Charm City.
COLUMNS
In the Trenches
Backstage Music did a lot of celebrating to honor its 40th anniversary in May, including connecting with local ham radio operators to conduct a “special event station” May 3 to May 6, recognizing the occasion. It also honored the sacred National Doughnut Day.
Shine a Light
MI has been a part of Lisa Canning’s life for the past 35 years, specifically as a professional clarinetist. Coming in at less than 1,000 square feet, Lisa’s Clarinet Shop focuses solely on high-end clarinet sales and has created an excellent relationship with its community.
Retailer Rebel
It’s hard to see critical words written about yourself or your staff. Reading these types of criticism can immediately lead to self-doubt, anger and fear of what other people think when they read those words. Here are 10 tips on how to maintain professionalism under fire.
Veddatorial
There is a competitor that commands significant market share, undercuts our pricing and offers legitimate brands that band directors heartily approve of. It’s not a national chain, internet behemoth or foreign entry into our turf.
Retailing Better
Retail is not dead, explains Robert Christie.
But it has changed, and you need to adjust with it.