Upfront

GC Unionization in Chicago

Just a few months since the late-May unionization of the Manhattan Guitar Center retail outlet, employees at a Guitar Center store in Chicago have now voted to form the company's second-ever retail union. This is another significant win for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), which was unable to unionize two additional New York stores earlier this summer. The new bargaining unit in Chicago will seek to improve wages and to change the store's sales commission structure.

Seiler Unveils Long-Term Strategy For North America Market

Seiler Pianos, European maker of pianos and grands since 1849, officially launched its new marketing strategy for the North American market during its recent dealer meeting in Nashville, Tenn. The two-day meeting, held at the historic Union Station Hotel, featured the introduction of new lower-priced lines based off the authentic Seiler German designs, a comprehensive suite of marketing tools to support dealers at every level of the selling process, as well as complete point of purchase mural and kiosk to help distinguish the Seiler brand in showrooms.

Taking Gretsch’s 130th Anniversary Celebration To New Heights

After criss-crossing the United States to attend a series of events celebrating Gretsch’s 130th anniversary this year, Fred and Dinah Gretsch recently took the celebration international. Following an anniversary show at the Sam Ash store in Hollywood on July 20th, they left Los Angeles on the 22nd for a flight to Tokyo, Japan. Because they crossed the International Date Line they arrived on the 23^rd — an auspicious date in itself, since it was Fred Gretsch’s birthday.

D’Addario Honored in Italy

Hal Leonard Employees Raise Money for Children’s Hospitals

14 employees from Hal Leonard’s 140-person Milwaukee office constituted the company’s team in the Tri-ing for Children’s Triathlon, a benefit for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and UW Health American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison. The event took place on Sunday, July 28th in Eagle, Wisconsin, in the Southern Kettle Moraine Forest.

Guitar Center Names Bennett VP

Dean Markley Names Korg UK Distributor

Dean Markley International, Ltd has announced that KORG UK is now the exclusive distributor of Dean Markley product throughout the United Kingdom and Eire.

NAMM Foundation Accepting Applications for 2014 President’s Innovation Award

The NAMM Foundation is accepting applications at www.nammfoundation.org for its 2014 President’s Innovation Award to support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in the music products industry.

The cash award supports qualified college students’ travel to attend NAMM’s annual global music products trade show in Anaheim, Calif., Jan. 23-26, 2014. At the show, awardees will be invited to participate in a special collegiate program offering information, mentoring and the opportunity to network with industry laureates and professionals.

Crafter To Help Tegeler Music Raise Money For Wounded Warriors

Iowa’s Tegeler Music has announced plans to donate the proceeds from their third Annual Benefit Concert to assist service members who have been injured in the line of duty. Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the nonprofit organization Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), and will support a full range of programs and services for this generation of injured veterans and their families.

Dallas Sam Ash Music

Sam Ash recently celebrated the opening of its new Dallas outlet, the second Sam Ash store in the Texas market.

The new facility features 21,500 square feet of space with plenty of free parking and great highway visibility

Updated Basic Guitar Method from Alfred at Summer NAMM

Jam Hub’s new Tracker M16 & Band Lab Introduced at Summer NAMM