Upfront

Foster Family Music Center to Close

After 30 years of serving the Mississippi Valley region, the Foster family will turn their energies towards personal pursuits and close their 8,000 square foot store on December 20. Foster Family Music Center houses one of the largest selections of pianos and sheet music in the state of Iowa. NAMM named this piano specialty store a Top 100 Dealer in 2012 and 2013.

Foster Family Music Center founders Jim and Marilyn Foster, along with their daughter and co-owner Christi Foster Nunnally, said they were unable to find a buyer for the niche business. Beginning the week of November 10, the store will offer discounts of 30 to 60 percent to sell off its inventory of acoustic and digital pianos. The collection includes 30 new and used grand pianos including Yamaha, and many used Steinway family instruments.

LOUD and GnS Announce Mackie Distribution Agreement

Pioneer to Sell DJ Division to KKR

SKB Announces New Canadian Partnership

SKB Corporation has welcomed SF Marketing Inc. (SFM) Dorval, Quebec, as their new Canadian distributor of SKB cases.  SFM has been providing professional quality products and services to the live entertainment and audio-visual industries in Canada since 1978. 

“Everyone at SFM is excited and delighted about our new partnership with SKB to bring the best cases in the world to our customers,” says SFM’s vice president of sales John Warwick. “SKB is both a legend and an innovator in the case business and we are proud to be associated with such an iconic brand. “

Zildjian Sponsors 10th Year of Berklee Artist-in-Residence Program

Zildjian and the Berklee College of Music recently concluded the 10th year of the Armand Zildjian Artist in Residence Program. This year’s guest Zildjian artist was Gospel drumming phenom and Usher sideman Aaron Spears.

The Armand Zildjian Artist-in-Residence was created by the Zildjian family in recognition of Armand’s tireless efforts in the promotion of percussive music, principally through the manufacturing of the world-class Zildjian cymbals and the promotion of talented artists. The purpose of the program is to provide Berklee students an opportunity to learn from recognized drummers in a wide range of genres. Past artists-in-residence have included Steve Smith, Peter Erskine, and Antonio Sanchez.

Grover Announces Partnership with Hammerax

Grover Pro Percussion Inc., Massachusetts-based leaders in high-quality professional percussion products, has reached an agreement with Hammerax® which grants them exclusive rights to worldwide distribution.

“I have admired the Grover brand name and been a friend of Neil Grover for over 30 years. Grover Pro represents the pinnacle of quality in every product they touch. The business model of a single distributor working with export distributors and dealers is the best way to reach drummers and percussionists,” states John Stannard, Hammerax president.

Little Kids Rock Honors Joan Jett at Annual Benefit

Little Kids Rock recently hosted its sixth annual Little Kids Rock Benefit, this year honoring Joan Jett and her music. The annual event, presented in 2014 by Guitar Center and produced by Steven and Maureen Van Zandt, took place on Thursday, Oct. 23 at New York’s iconic Hammerstein Ballroom at The Manhattan Center, a longstanding supporter of Little Kids Rock and a 2014 event sponsor. Alice Cooper, Tommy James, Billie Joe Armstrong, Darlene Love, Glen Hansard, Jesse Malin, Brody Dalle, Mike Ness, Jake Clemons, and other special guests made up the all-star roster of musicians that paid tribute to Jett with musical performances, produced by Steven Van Zandt.

Hal Leonard Hosts John Williams

On Friday, October 3, John Williams made his first visit to the corporate headquarters of Hal Leonard Corporation – his longtime music print publisher.

The relationship between Mr. Williams and Hal Leonard spans decades and has spawned hundreds of publications featuring his famous music. Folios for Star Wars, E.T., Jaws, Jurassic Park, Superman, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, War Horse, Lincoln, Home Alone and the Harry Potter films are available in formats for many instruments at various levels.

JAM Industries Buys Davitt & Hanser Distribution

Hanser Music Group has confirmed the sale of its distribution business, Davitt & Hanser, to JAM Industries. The transaction, completed on October 6th, is said to allow Hanser Music Group to focus on targeting new growth opportunities while providing JAM Industries an expanded product line and accessory driven expertise, to better serve its dealer network throughout the United States.

Registration Open for 2015 NAMM Show

Registration opened on October 1, 2014 for NAMM members planning to attend the 2015 NAMM Show. The world’s largest trade-only event for the music products industry returns to the Anaheim Convention Center January 22-25. NAMM Show badges open doors to more than 5,000 music product, instrument and technology brands, special events, educational sessions and live entertainment.

Peavey Reorganizes Manufacturing Under New Globalization Plan

Peavey Electronics Corporation recently announced that the company is reorganizing its worldwide manufacturing assets as part of a new globalization plan to ensure continued growth worldwide. The reorganization includes focusing U.S.-based manufacturing on Peavey’s premium products, and moving other manufacturing assets closer to its critical and emerging markets. The effort also involves modernization of production methods and a renewed focus on engineering, sales, and marketing.

D’Addario on MSNBC’s ‘Born in the USA’

On October 30^th, MSNBC’s regular "Born In The USA"  segment featured Jim D’Addario of D’Addario & Co.

The interview took place took place at approximately 11:45 am via Skype in Jim’s office, where the CEO discussed what it means to be American-made.

“Born In The USA” is a special feature on News Nation with Tamron Hall. It profiles American companies and the people behind them.  News Nation with Tamron Hall concentrates on high profile interviews and the latest U.S., world, and entertainment news: http://www.msnbc.com/news-nation