Upfront

Gibson’s ‘Government Series’ Commemorates Fed’s Raids

As presumably most everyone in the industry knows, back in August of 2011, agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confiscated wood from Gibson's Tennessee facilities - the second such raid in two years.

Gibson has now released a new series of guitars commemorating the company's struggles with the government.  From the official press release:

Focusrite’s New iTrack Dock at NAMM 2014

New Fender Stratocaster Models for 60th Anniversary at NAMM 2014

Deering Banjos Celebrates 100,000th Banjo at 2014 NAMM

Kurzweil Unveils New Artis Performance Keyboard at NAMM 2014

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