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John D’Addario Jr. and Jim D’Addario

2014 Don Johnson Music Industry Service Award Winners

The copy on the Don Johnson Music Industry Service Award trophy reads, “In Recognition and Appreciation for Your Outstanding Advocacy and Support for Music Education at the Community and National Level.” As such, it’s no surprise whatsoever that this year’s honorees are the D’Addarios – Jim and John, Jr.

Kurzweil Unveils New Artis Performance Keyboard at NAMM 2014

Trade Regrets: Tony ‘TC’ Caschetta

We at MMR were saddened to receive the following message from Jon Harris of Harris-Teller:

I have some very sad news to share with you.  Tony Caschetta, our longtime salesman and friend, passed away on January 17, 2014.  Although Tony had been battling cancer for some time, the end was very fast.  I can tell you that Tony’s passing has literally rocked the entire Harris Teller family as well as many people who Tony has come into contact with over his 40 plus year tenure in the music industry of which 38 were spent here at Harris Teller.  My earliest memories have included Tony, as I have known him since I was 5 years old.  I was that pesky kid who was always playing jokes on and pestering the adults.  During one party after a Chicago Summer NAMM show, I was bugging Tony and my father for a sip of alcohol.  I was probably not even 14 years old and I would not leave them alone.  Finally, Tony and my Dad got together and decided to show me the “error” of my ways.  They ordered me some of what they were drinking, Sambuca, and let me have at it.  After one or two sips of the strong anise flavored drink, I decided that maybe it was not such a good idea to start drinking.  That story used to come up a lot as I started working full time here at Harris Teller and somehow every time we told it, I was younger in the story. At last retelling, I think I had become a 7-year-old boy who was given a drink by Tony. 

Sabian Acquires Billdidit

Billdidit Inc. (Nova Scotia, Canada) is now part of the Sabian group of companies. Billdidit has built a solid reputation as forward-thinking designers of innovative and reliable drum hardware and accessories. The acquisition expands Sabian design capabilities and adds a significant portfolio of new music products.

Houston’s Dowling Music Closes

After 71 years, Dowling Music, a comprehensive sheet music store in Houston, Texas, is closing at the end of this week.

Houston-born concert pianist Richard Dowling purchased the operation in 2008 with his partner, James Li. The couple opened an additional Dowling Music store in NYC’s Steinway Hall that closed in April, 2012.

New NYC Digs for Guitar Center

The Real Deal is reporting that GC will be moving into the former Daffy’s (fashion retailer) space in the old New York Times Building at 218 West 44th Street in Manhattan.

GC has reportedly signed a 15-year lease last month with Africa Israel Group for 600 square feet on the ground floor, and about 28,000 square feet on the lower level of the building. The asking rent is said to be $2.3 million per year, they said, or about $80 per square foot blended over both floors.

NAMM Board Welcomes Eight New Members at Annual Meeting

At its Annual Meeting of Members, held January 25 during the 2014 NAMM Show, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Board of Directors welcomes eight new industry pros. The NAMM Board of Directors guides and leads NAMM and NAMM Foundation and offers counsel to the music product industry.

Fender’s Norvell Receives DCA at NAMM

Chauvet Receives DCA at NAMM

Shubb Capos Celebrates 40 Years

SupportMusic Coalition Webcast

Hartley Peavey Receives Dealers’ Choice Award