Upfront

KMC Music Named Exclusive U.S. Distributor of Supro

KMC Music (www.kmcmusic.com) has announced that Absara Audio LLC has appointed the company to serve as the exclusive United States distributor of Supro amplifiers (www.suprousa.com), the iconic line of guitar amps.

NAMM Foundation Grants $600,000 to Global Nonprofit Music Making and Music Education Programs

In 2015, the NAMM Foundation will invest $600,000 in grant funding into 17 global music making programs. This year’s list of grant recipients includes community, national and industry-based organizations that provide access to quality music education and increase interest and participation in making music across the lifespan.

Sweetwater Expands and Enhances Music Store

Sweetwater has completed a total redesign and expansion of its Music Store, which opened on June 1st in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Cymatic Audio Goes Direct for Sales to U.S. Retailers

Cymatic Audio, effective immediately, has created its own North American distribution channel. Industry veteran Tom Sailor has been appointed as their head of operations and sales and marketing for North America. Sailor has over 15 years of distribution, sales and marketing experience and relationships and offers a vast amount of technical experience.

KMC Opens New HQ in Connecticut, Relocates Warehousing and Distribution to Mississippi

Calling it the start of the next great chapter in its proud history of serving the MI and Pro Audio industries, KMC Music (www.kmcmusic.com) has announced that it has completed its transition from Fender Musical Instruments to JAM Industries ownership with the opening of a new corporate headquarters in Bloomfield, Connecticut, the relocation of its warehousing and distribution to the JAM Industries operations center in Southaven, Mississippi, and the implementation of new credit and order processing systems based in JAM Industries’ Montreal, Canada headquarters.

Moog Music Now Employee-Owned

On June 10, Mike Adams, Moog Music Inc. president/CEO, stopped production in the factory and gathered the employees for an impromptu meeting. Adams began by saying, "I called you all here to let you know I sold the company.

After a brief silence, he continued, "The good news is I sold it to all of you."

SLM Purchases the E.K. Blessing Company

St. Louis Music (SLM) has acquired E.K. Blessing from Verne Q. Powell Flutes. Founded in 1906, E.K. Blessing is one America’s most historic brands of concert and marching band instruments and accessories.

Fender Appoints Mooney CEO

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) has announced that Andrew “Andy” P. Mooney has been appointed chief executive officer (CEO), effective immediately. Mooney joins FMIC from Quiksilver, Inc. and brings significant experience growing global brands such as Disney Consumer Products (DCP) and Nike, Inc. The addition of Mooney will help drive FMIC brands with an approach that puts both seasoned and first-time musicians at the forefront.

Mooney spent 11 years leading DCP, first as president and then as chairman starting in 2003. During his time at Disney, Mooney oversaw the company’s worldwide licensing, publishing and retail businesses and the tripling of retail sales to $36 billion. He also pioneered the $4 billion Disney Princesses franchise and established the Disney Fairies brand, and retail lines based on the Pixar Animation films, “Toy Story” and “Cars.”

Connolly to Distribute Faith Guitars

Connolly Music Company has announced a new, exclusive distribution deal with U.K. based Faith Guitars, a brand of Barnes & Mullins, a U.K. based distributor.  

Connolly Music has decades of experience in the orchestral market and growing presence in the Pro Audio and MI/ Combo markets. As a result of those successes, Connolly was inspired to diversify their portfolio of products, and the multi award-winning British Faith Guitars brand was their first choice.

Summer NAMM Empowers Industry with 35 Educational Sessions


Summer NAMM provides the ultimate educational experience on what’s working right now in music retail—brick-and-mortar, online and multichannel—July 9-11 in Nashville. NAMM U has curated 35 sessions to help music retailers hone a winning business strategy for the second half of the year and far beyond. The educational opportunities start with NAMM U’s Retail Boot Camp, leading into three-days of Breakfast Sessions and NAMM Idea Center topics designed to inspire and share practical tactics for success in the rapidly evolving music industry.

“We've had NAMM Members say that Summer NAMM’s offerings are akin to those at expensive executive retreats with high-level speakers, cutting-edge ideas and opportunities to network with industry leaders one-on-one,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. “We're excited about the educational line up at Summer NAMM and believe that dealers who come to the show will benefit and be better prepared for success in the fall and holiday selling season."

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee Receives $5 Million Gift from Keith Mardak and Mary Vandenberg

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM) today announced it has received a $5 million gift from longtime donors Keith Mardak and his wife Mary Vandenberg to establish the MarVan Scholars, an extended learning day program in partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). The gift is the largest donation in recent BGCGM history.

MarVan Scholars, which will launch in fall of 2015, is a five-year model designed to support a seamless learning day for MPS students, increase achievement through the use of online based tools and help expand collaboration between day-school and after-school staff. The program will be rolled out at four MPS pilot schools in the first year and end with 33 in the final year.

Roland Seeks SW District Sales Manager

Roland Corporation U.S. has an exciting opportunity for a District Sales Manager for the SW territory, representing Roland and BOSS products within the MI channel.

As the first point of contact to assigned dealers in the Southwest US territory (NM, AZ, OK, UT, TX region), the District Sales Manager provides valuable resources in support of Roland's products, strategy, and objectives to the dealers. The District Sales Manager (DSM) is responsible for accurate analysis of market-by-market territorial sales potential, establishing distribution for all product groups, developing the Roland Dealer's business, monitoring sales results, and meeting company established individual sales budgets and objectives. The DSM will train retail salespeople, assist with product merchandising and retail sales promotions, and help retailers develop and implement Roland Sales Programs as requested and approved by Roland Musical Instrument's (MI) management.