Trying Times

As the COVID-19 pandemic increasingly impacts all aspects of life, globally, in mid-March, I reached out to a few in MI to learn how the disease is affecting our industry. This is a very fluid, rapidly evolving situation, so bear in mind the comments below are a snapshot of a moment in time.

“We are seeing a minor impact, but we are bracing for a major one. We sent a protocol about cleaning the stores and the instruments. Our cleaning services will expand their current duties. We will be very visible wiping down and spraying instruments before and after customer use. Counters where customers put their hands will be wiped down as much as we can. We’re doing what we can to make our customers know we are as safe an option as any retailer… In six weeks it might be a very different story.”

Sammy Ash, Sam Ash Music

“While it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to imagine medium to long-term dips in the broader MI space following a potential downturn in public events and concerts, we are already seeing immediate impacts on the ground in the pro audio and live production space. Just looking at an event like SXSW being canceled, there are now Texas production companies negatively hit, gear rentals canceled, sound and lighting engineer calendars slashed, local venues scrambling to cover costs, and touring bands looking to recoup travel expenses. We’re certainly watching the news very closely and striving to strike a good balance between ‘the sky is falling’ and ‘nothing to see here,’ staying flexible and nimble as the situation evolves.”

Jeff Hawley, Allen & Heath USA

“Our customers have continued in a normal fashion with no unusual interruption, and there have been no additional cancelations in lessons attendance or matters of extreme concern expressed by our customers, but customer reactions vary according to the tone of the media. That being said, I do feel that whenever there is an unusual major health event such as COVID-19 there are always unexpected consequences. Events such as South by Southwest and other major music festivals like Coachella, and Stagecoach have been canceled or postponed, and that affects musicians directly, and that eventually trickles down… Fingers crossed that we get the coronavirus under control quickly.”

Menzie Pittman, Contemporary Music Center

“On the print music side, it has no effect on our supply since we do our printing in-house and with domestic third parties… We do have a serious situation with our Milan office and we are dealing with a wide range of safety issues, work-from-home, and some limited restrictions. For our MI Products Distribution business, we are already seeing some supply issues with some products that are largely made in China… we have not yet heard significant store traffic downturn from our retailers, but that’s a concern depending on the virus spreading more broadly in the U.S.”

Larry Morton, Hal Leonard

“Our company, like most small businesses, will be severely affected by the COVID ‘crisis.’ Our schools are closed, so our shop is rapidly filling up with instrument repairs from directors who ‘want to get this cleaned out while we have a break.’ Fortunately, our road reps are now here in the store much of the time, and can help with that task.”

Tracy E. Leenman, Musical Innovations

“Like many other manufacturing industries, the coronavirus put a temporary strain on many in the music industry from supply chain to product development to marketing. If you look at what happened in China, for a minute there wasn’t a single soul available to work in some factories due to health risks. And rightfully so! If it wasn’t for smart ordering and preparedness ahead of time, our most popular instruments would be at serious risk. Thankfully, conditions in Asia are on the rebound, things are slowly getting better and factory workers have safely returned to work.”

Adam Gomes, Luna Guitars