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MMR Industry Record

2020 Music Products Industry Archive — Retail

Search and browse MMR’s music products industry reporting timeline, connecting companies, people, products, NAMM coverage and market developments across the digital archive.

298 matching published stories

Breedlove VIP Winter Show Pregame Event Opens the Doors, Virtually, on Bend, Oregon Custom Shop, Jan. 11–12

In June, Breedlove outfoxed the pandemic, offering its own successful, groundbreaking Summer Show, introducing a spate of new models and offering an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at Custom Shop operations in…

New ‘Peavey Monitor’ Podcast Highlights Contributions of Fera

Peavey Electronics powers up the circuit boards again on Episode 5 of the “Peavey Monitor” podcast, featuring John Fera, digital design engineer at Peavey.

L-Acoustics Announces Support Initiatives for Industry and Partners

L-Acoustics has announced three new initiatives to help industry colleagues, partners, and clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PRS Guitars Announces 2021 Virtual Launch Party in January

PRS Guitars today announced a virtual 2021 Launch Party to introduce new products, share artist performances, and host live guest appearances.

Lectrosonics Leads ‘Sound is Essential’ Social Media Campaign

Lectrosonics, together with a number of dealers, industry manufacturers and end users, is spearheading a social media campaign, "Sound is Essential," to emphasize that sound is essential to any modern…

Allen & Heath Appoints Cadon Technical Sales for Enhanced Midwest Support

Hal Leonard Expands MI Products Distribution Division

Hal Leonard has been growing its representation of MI products steadily for over 10 years and now announces further expansion of its MI Products Distribution division.

Gibson Announces First-Ever Apparel Collection with Aviator Nation

Gibson has announced the launch of its first-ever capsule apparel collection with Aviator Nation.  

Hoshino U.S.A. Inc. To Begin Distributing Ibanez, TAMA, and Other Associated Brands in Canada for 2021

Beginning January 1st, 2021, Hoshino U.S.A. Inc. will be assuming responsibilities as the distributor of Ibanez guitars, and TAMA Drums in Canada.

JHS Appoints Hal Leonard as USA Distributor for the Kids' Range of 'The Beatles'-Themed Ukuleles

JHS has appointed Hal Leonard as its USA distributor for the kids' range of 'The Beatles’ & ‘The Beatles Yellow Submarine’ officially licensed ukuleles.

Tanglewood Names Law Northern Sales Manager

Tanglewood Guitars has welcomed David Law as the company's new Northern Sales Manager, effective immediately.

Hal Leonard’s Flex-Band Series for Grade 1.5

The Hal Leonard Flex-Band Series features works that are scored with just five parts, plus percussion, that are playable with combinations of woodwinds, brass, or strings.

The Safe Spacer from IK Multimedia

The Safe Spacer is a lightweight, wearable device that helps factories, warehouses, offices, and other workplaces and public spaces to operate with peace of mind by enabling workers and visitors…

28th Annual Dealers’ Choice Awards

Find out which companies and products were voted as the best in their class this year by readers and retailers just like you.

39th Annual America’s Top Music Chains

Following a truly unprecedented year, MMR has compiled data on sales, store openings, and closings from the biggest American chains in the MI world

After 95 Years of Shaping the Pro Audio World, Innovation is Still a ‘Shure’ Thing

From creating the first handheld wireless microphone system for performers in 1953, to powering annual events of the superstardom world like the Grammys and the Academy Awards, Shure’s fixtures and…

Creating a Lineage of ‘Keepers:’ Vintage Guitars Observes 25 Years in Business

Over in Leeds, UK, Dennis Drumm believes Vintage Guitars has found the ultimate “sweet spot” in the guitar market.

Fender’s Justin Norvell

Earlier this fall, FMIC introduced the second generation of the brand’s wildly popular American Professional Series. Executive VP, Fender Products, Justin Norvell walks us through the many changes and improvements…

Unprecedented

I observe and report on the MI industry and can make guesses (hopefully educated guesses) as to how vendors and retailers are faring, but I’m not really “in the trenches.”

Developing Trends Post-COVID: Follow the Money and Look for Green Shoots

Following trends is akin to catching a falling knife; at best, it’s a tricky proposition. Looking back in early 2020 on yearly trend projections, at least 90 percent of them…

The Year It Wasn’t Worth It

As I write this, it has been 270 days since my band last performed in Nashville, Tennessee at ACME Feed and Seed. Prior to that last show, we had performed…

Antari USA Becomes Sole U.S. Distributor for All Antari Brands

Antari Lighting and Effects USA, the distribution channel of Antari Lighting and Effects, has recently become the sole exclusive distributor of the entire Antari Brand lineup in the USA.

Trade Regrets: Bernice Ash

(Written by Jerome Ash) Bernice Ash died at 90. She leaves as her legacy three sons and five grandsons to run the Sam Ash Music Stores – 47 super mega stores…

Korg USA Hires Minetti and Echizen as Product Specialists

Korg USA Inc. announces the hiring of two Product Specialists, Luciano Minetti and Kenny Echizen.

Trade Regrets: Scott Summerhays

Brisbane’s Luxurious Le Bain Equipped with Martin Audio CDD

The developers engaged AV integrators, Ampd to create a customized, reliable and robust audio visual system; they turned to Martin Audio’s popular and aesthetically designed CDD series for the audio…

Guitar Center Announces Comprehensive Agreement to Reduce Debt and Provide Significant Financing to Support Business Plan

Guitar Center, Inc., (the “Company”) has announced that it has entered into a comprehensive Restructuring Support Agreement (the “RSA”) with its key stakeholders, including its equity sponsor, a fund managed by…

NAMM Congratulates the 2020 Top 100 Awards Dealers

Yamaha Names Hibser as District Manager, School Service Dealer Sales

Yamaha Corporation of America has announced that Rachel Hibser has joined the company as the Midwest District Manager for School Service Sales, effective October 5.

JAM Industries Accelerates Growth Through Acquisition by Adding TMP to its Portfolio of Companies

Backed by the commitment and resources of parent company DCC Technology, JAM Industries is accelerating its growth through acquisition initiatives with the purchase of Berlin, Connecticut-based The Music People (TMP),…

Korg USA Promotes Piccolo to Director of Brand Management

Korg USA Inc. announces the promotion of Brian Piccolo to Director of Brand Management for all of Korg USA’s brands.

JHS Announces Kustom Amplification Distribution for Benelux

Further to JHS announcing its appointment as exclusive distributor for Kustom amplification for the UK, Ireland, France, and Germany last month, the firm can now confirm it will also be…

New North American Site Launches for Ritmüller Pianos

Pearl River Piano Group, has announced the launch of a newly updated and redesigned website, ritmullerusa.com, for its Ritmüller piano brand. 

Shure Announces Holiday Promotions

From now through December 31, 2020, content creators, remote professionals, performers, and music lovers can access deals on Shure’s products, like the MV88+ Video Kit and several BLX Wireless Systems.

Sweetwater and Gibson Report Theft of Limited-Edition Guitars

A pallet of new Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom Silverburst guitars was stolen from a truck at the Flying J Travel Center in Whiteland, Indiana on October 30,…

Mexican Dealer Pumps Up Land Rover Defender Intro With CHAUVET DJ

Land Rover Puebla (Mexico) created a launch video and glitzy ongoing display for the new Land Rover Defenders with help from a collection of CHAUVET DJ fixtures.

Kanile'a 'Ukulele Opens New 2,000 Square-foot Showroom

Kanile'a 'Ukulele opened its flagship retail store in Windward Mall on October 17, 2020.

Walt Disney Records, Taylor Guitars, and GC Team Up for 'Acoustic Plays' Sweepstakes

Music China 2020 Ends on a Positive Note

The curtains have fallen on Music China which received tremendous acclaim from exhibitors and visitors alike for its show quality and unparalleled face-to-face meeting opportunities available from 28 – 31…

Filling Distribution Brings EarthQuaker Devices to Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg

Resulting from a recent deal, Filling Distribution is assigned to deliver EarthQuaker Devices to the Benelux region, which includes Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg.