By Christian Wissmuller
It’s that time of year again. The air’s getting crisper, the NAMM emails are rolling in, and the 2025 MMR Dealers’ Choice Awards ballot is officially open.
For over two decades now, the Dealers’ Choice Awards have served as the industry’s annual litmus test — not of what’s flashy, hyped, or just riding a wave — but of what actually moves in the stores, what works on the sales floor, and what our network of independent MI retailers trusts. And that trust is something you can’t buy, algorithm your way into, or retro-fit with a trendy finish. It’s earned — year over year, order after order, with consistent quality, support, and innovation.
The voting, as always, is open to current MMR subscribers only (one ballot per person). Whether you’re running a single-store operation in Ohio or managing a multi-location enterprise in California, this is your time to weigh in. The ballot is your platform. Your voice matters. Your vote will help recognize the brands and products that aren’t just filling shelves, but fulfilling promises.
The categories are as familiar as they are essential: “Product of the Year,” “ Accessory Line of the Year,” “Electric Guitar of the Year,” “Band & Orchestra Line of the Year,” and more. The winners will be announced in our December issue, just in time to close the books on another action-packed year in the MI world.
If you haven’t cast your vote yet, what are you waiting for? Head over to mmrmagazine.com and make it count. It’s fast, it’s easy, and most importantly — it’s impactful. These awards are built on the collective experience of our readers, and they remain a uniquely transparent and democratic snapshot of what’s truly resonating with the people who know the business inside and out.
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Meanwhile… Let’s Talk E-Drums
While we’re on the subject of what’s moving — let’s shift focus for a moment to a segment that’s seen steady, sometimes quiet, but always notable growth: electronic drums.
Now, electronic kits aren’t new — far from it. The Simmons hex pads of the ‘80s paved the way, Roland pushed boundaries in the ‘90s and 2000s, and today we’ve got an increasingly crowded field with players like Alesis, DW, Roland, Yamaha, and even smaller boutique brands jumping in.
But what’s striking about 2025 is how normalized electronic kits have become across all levels of play — from beginners to pros. Once viewed as practice tools or niche studio gear, today’s e-drum sets are showing up in worship groups, educational programs, small-stage gigs, hybrid acoustic/electronic setups, and yes, more and more in family living rooms where the words “volume control” are music to a parent’s ears.
Retailers we’ve spoken with note that price-point variety has helped — entry-level kits with mesh heads and Bluetooth connectivity under $500 make for easy upsells — but what’s really shifted the tide is the improvement in feel. Mesh heads, multi-zone cymbals, adjustable rack configurations, and drum brain software that actually sounds (and responds) like real kits? That’s what keeps customers smiling — and returning.
One independent dealer in Texas recently told us, “We used to stock a few e-kits just to say we had them. Now they’re consistently in our top five movers every quarter. Especially around back-to-school and Christmas.”
Of course, the market isn’t without its challenges. Margins can be thinner than we’d like, and keeping up with firmware updates, software patches, and app compatibility is an ongoing task for both retailers and end-users. Still, the demand is real, the technology keeps improving, and the future looks promising.
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Here’s to another year of recognizing the best in the biz — and to keeping our collective finger on the pulse of what’s next.
