News

Yamaha Dealers to Preview ‘Elton John – The Million Dollar Piano’

Scores of Yamaha dealers across the United States and around the globe are hosting “sneak peek” screenings of Elton John – The Million Dollar Piano in advance of the film’s arrival in 1,200 theaters worldwide on March 18 and 26. View the trailer here: http://4wrd.it/ELTONMDPTRAILER

The concert film, produced by Yamaha Entertainment Group, was captured at the Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, and features the singer/songwriter and longtime Yamaha Artist performing his greatest hits including, “Rocket Man,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting,” “I'm Still Standing,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” “Crocodile Rock,” and “Your Song.”

Tech 21 Celebrates 25 Years

Launched in midtown Manhattan in 1989, Tech 21 was never part of Andrew Barta’s plans. Now, 25 years later, it’s interesting to know that Barta had no thoughts of starting his own company, let alone becoming a manufacturer. His dream, like so many in this business, was to be a rock star. While performing most nights, Andrew earned his living repairing, modifying and customizing amplifiers during the day. Andrew was avid tinkerer, and would build or modify various distortion and effect pedals in his spare time. Over the course of 10-plus years, Andrew worked on developing a pedal he simply wanted for his own personal use.

Fishman Appoints Wilson as International Sales Manager

Fishman has appointed Iain Wilson as international sales manager.

In this capacity, Wilson’s primary role will be the development of strategies to increase sales in each of Fishman’s current export markets while seeking new business opportunities for the company.

Iain will also be managing the existing distribution network, carrying out a SWOT analysis of the distribution companies and their respective markets, and looking at constructive and effective ways to increase sales in each region.

Sweetwater Defends Proprietary Web Content

Sweetwater Sound Inc. has taken a stand on defending itself against the misuse and misappropriation of its proprietary Web content.

Sweetwater founder and president Chuck Surack says, “We regret having to take action, but we believe that the integrity of the MI business is at stake. We are acting not only on our own behalf, but in the interest of all online retailers who invest in the creation of unique content.”

Kloc Named President and CEO of Buffet Group USA

Buffet Group has appointed François Kloc as president and CEO of Buffet Group USA. Kloc has served as Vice President of Buffet Group USA since January 2011 and has been in the North American market since 1995, previously serving as director of sales and marketing and woodwind product specialist. In addition to the duties and responsibilities associated with being president and CEO, Kloc will also serve on the COMEX, the Executive Committee for Buffet Group.

Shure Earns IEEE Milestone Award for Unidyne Mic

Shure Incorporated has introduced many significant technical innovations throughout the Company’s history, but arguably one of the most important was the introduction of the Unidyne Microphone in 1939. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the legendary Unidyne Microphone, and kicks off Shure’s “The Year of the Unidyne” celebration. As part of the celebration, Shure has announced that it has received an extraordinary honor from The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)—the IEEE Milestone Award for the Unidyne Microphone. The award was presented to Shure on January 31, 2014, on the exact date of Mrs. Rose Shure’s 65th year of service at the Company.

Trade Regrets: Don Wilson

Sweetwater Fills Two Key Management Positions

Sweetwater recently hired two new high-level employees, sales manager Doug Hills, and category manager for guitars Jay Piccirillo.

A native of Northern California, Doug Hills started with Guitar Center’s store operations team in Seattle in 1999. Over the next 14 years he held numerous jobs including sales person, sales manager of multiple locations, operations manager, store manager of multiple locations, district manager of the Northwest, and for the last five years district manager of New York and Connecticut, including Guitar’s Center’s flagship Manhattan store.

Jupiter Appoints Richardson Woodwind Brand Manager

Jupiter Band instruments has announced the addition of John Richardson to their brand management team as their woodwind brand manager starting in mid-February

Richardson comes to KHS America from Miles Ahead Music in Kentucky where he helped grow a small specialty storefront business into a two location school music retailer. His prior experience in the musical instrument industry was at Don Wilson Music in Lexington, KY. 

Haspod Named Seymour Duncan Rep Of The Year

Seymour Duncan has announced that Ziggy Haspod once again took the title of Seymour Duncan Rep of the Year for his 2013 sales record.

Ziggy has been a member of the Seymour Duncan family for well over 20 years. In fact, he worked for us as Internal Sales Manager before founding his own firm, Monster Marketing, based in our hometown of Santa Barbara, California.

D’Addario Names Medici Business Development Specialist

D’Addario has appointed Brandon Medici to the newly created position of D’Addario business development specialist.  In his new role, Medici is responsible for leading B2B training for sales and product specialists of D’Addario Fretted and Planet Waves products with domestic and international distributors and dealers.

Yamaha Promotes Three to Strengthen Marketing and Product Development

Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA) today announced three promotions. Athan Billias is the director of strategic product planning, a new corporate-wide position. Dave Jewell is the marketing communications manager in the Customer Sales & Marketing Group, also a new company-wide position. Nate Tschetter is named marketing manager, Music Production, Pro Audio & Combo Division.

“With the creation of two new roles and the addition of Nate to our Music Production department, we are able to take better advantage of each employee’s abilities to better serve our dealers and customers,” said Tom Sumner, senior vice president, Yamaha Corporation of America. “These changes will enhance our ability to keep developing innovative products and market them effectively.”