Upfront

Oriolo Guitars Makes $40,000 Instrument Donation to GITC

San Diego-based non-profit Guitars in the Classroom (GITC) announced that the Oriolo Guitar Co. recently made a $40,000 donation of guitars and ukuleles to its work of bringing music into the heart of academic learning across the country. Oriolo Guitars are best known for their colorful artwork, many featuring the popular character Felix the Cat who was produced by Joe Oriolo.

Oriolo’s son, Don, took the helm of Felix The Cat Productions Inc. in 1984 and has produced numerous episodes of Felix and brought the licensing brand to new heights. Oriolo entered the musical instruments/products world in 2008 when he first designed and manufactured his Oriolo Guitars. The company was founded by Don and believes in making music-based learning enjoyable for all kids.

SFM to Distribute On-Stage Stands in Canada

On-Stage Worldwide is pleased to announce a three-year agreement with SF Marketing (SFM), for which SFM will be the exclusive distributor for the full line of On-Stage products in Canada.

Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, On-Stage® Worldwide is the international arm of the On-Stage product family, which includes its flagship On-Stage Stands brand.  All together the complete On-Stage product family offers distributors a complete line of stands, cases, bags, drum sticks, cables, guitar straps, tuners and more. The company is committed to mutual success with its international distributors. It values relationships with reputable businesses around the world. With favorable exchange rates and a comprehensive line of products and marketing services, On-Stage® offers international distributors a complete package at a very low cost every day.

Davitt & Hanser to Distribute Cort Guitars in the U.S.

Davitt & Hanser has announced that as of December 1, 2014 they will be responsible for distribution of Cort Guitars for the United States market.

In commenting on becoming the exclusive distributor for Cort Guitars in the U.S., Jay Ensminger, general manager of Davitt & Hanser said, “We are very excited to have the opportunity to sell Cort Guitars. It is an excellent brand that sells all over the world and we look forward to helping the Cort brand grow in the U.S. Cort has been producing high quality acoustic guitars, electric guitars and basses for more than 40 years. Their full line of guitars fills a void in our overall product offerings”.

Westheimer Announces New Strategic Direction, Discontinues Distribution of Cort

Westheimer Corp. has announced a new strategic direction that better fits their business model in an every changing musical instrument market.

Laura Gabel, CEO of Westheimer Corp, stated, “As it relates to Cort guitars, we spent this past year re-examining the musical instrument industry and how to position our brands. As many know, Jack Westheimer was a pioneer in the musical instrument industry. Over time, however, the industry evolved in such a way we decided it is best at this time to focus on our proprietary brands. As a result, we made a difficult decision and ended our long term distribution relationship with Cort Musical Instrument Company (“CMIC”), as their U.S. distributor of the Cort brand.”

San Diego’s Greene Music CEO to Retire After 60 years

Mike Greene, the longtime owner of San Diego’s Greene Music, is effectively retiring in January, having sold the music store that bears his family name—to Music Exchange, a highly-successful, multi-location retailer based in northern California. Although Greene and his longtime general manager, Richard Sibley, will continue to operate the Greene Music Education Center, his retirement from retail marks the end of an unparalleled career that not only saw major changes in the music industry, but helped change the music industry itself.

Eventide Announces Strategic Partnership with Yamaha

Eventide has formed a strategic partnership with Yamaha to develop signature effects for a future update to its recently announced flagship live sound console, the RIVAGE PM10.  The Eventide H3000 Live™ plug-in will include some of the most widely used signature Eventide effects used in the live sound industry.

“We have the utmost respect for Yamaha’s deep roots in the music equipment industry.  It is an honor to work with the company who is the largest manufacturer of musical instruments in the world.  Their pioneering work developing some of the earliest digital consoles continues to be refined, incorporating the evolving demands for integrated workflow necessary for today’s demanding live sound productions,” noted Ray Maxwell, Eventide vice president of sales and marketing.  “The marriage of classic Eventide effects with the state-of-the-art Yamaha RIVAGE PM10 console is a match made in heaven.”

2015 Best Communities for Music Education Survey Now Open


Schools and districts across the country are invited to participate in the NAMM Foundation’s 2015 Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) survey. The BCME program applauds community efforts to provide high-quality music education for all students. Teachers, parents, school administrators, and board members can complete the updated and refined 2015 BCME survey now through Friday, January 30, 2015.

Throughout the survey’s 15-year history, many districts have reported that making the “Best Communities” list supports efforts to preserve and advance their music education programs. "As our school district has just undergone one of the largest mergers in the history of U.S. public education, this designation helped us to protect the quality music programs and teachers in our community,” said Dr. Dru Davison, fine arts advisor for Shelby County Schools in Tennessee. “It was extremely valuable.”

Webb Named Guitar Center President & CEO

Guitar Center announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Darrell Webb to be the company’s new President and chief executive officer, effective today, November 17. Webb, a proven executive with experience growing multiple retail businesses, was recruited by the Board to lead Guitar Center as the company looks to capitalize on its growth prospects. Mr. Webb replaces former CEO Mike Pratt, who resigned earlier today.

NAMM Foundation Increases Access to Top Youth Arts Programs

The NAMM Foundation is empowering life-enriching, after-school arts programs through a new partnership with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program (NAHYP) Awards. During a White House ceremony on November 10, 2014, the NAMM Foundation stepped up as the lead sponsor of the awards, which recognize the country’s best creative youth development programs that engage students in the arts to increase academic achievement, improve literacy abilities, communication and cultural awareness.

Sennheiser to Open ‘Pop Up’ Stores

In anticipation of the holiday season, Sennheiser will open two temporary concept stores in the U.S., running from November 22nd to December 28th. To increase consumer awareness of Sennheiser brand, the experiential stores will feature an audiovisual “cocoon design,” host events, and premiere an interactive installation by Andreas Muller of Nanika.

Located in the neighborhoods of New York’s Lower East Side and San Francisco’s Mission District, the stores will act as urban hub, allowing visitors to hang out and enjoy “the pleasures of excellent sound (#earlove)” while browsing through a selection of curated magazines and playlists. They will also be offered refreshment drinks.  

Taylor Opens Artist Showroom at Soundcheck Nashville

On Tuesday, November 4, Taylor Guitars celebrated the opening of its new Nashville offices with an industry-and artist-filled open house. The new offices are located in the legendary Soundcheck facility, the industry's go-to location for artist services and backline support. The well-attended event was hosted by Taylor's Artist Relations team, with Taylor master builder Andy Powers also on hand. The event also introduced Taylor's new Nashville-based Artist Relations contact, Jason Herndon, who, along with his guitar tech duties for Blake Shelton, will be managing the office and artist relations activities in the area. During the gathering, Andy Powers took the opportunity to share some of Taylor's newest guitar offerings, including the redesigned, award-winning 800 Series, as well a few yet-to-be released guitars.

2015 NAMM U Lineup

One hundred and twenty-five educational sessions infuse insights and inspiration into the 2015 NAMM Show, January 22-25, 2015. Members attending the show have access to a supercharged lineup of educational sessions designed to capitalize on growth opportunities and take on some of the industry’s thorniest challenges. Make time for the proven ideas shared at NAMM's Retail Boot Camp before the show opens and NAMM U Breakfast Sessions, the NAMM Idea Center, and The H.O.T. Zone, throughout the show.