The Small Box Shops – and the Part We Play in the Bigger Picture
By Menzie Pittman “The whole point of having an original store is to express your own authentic, creative ideas, and bring a unique product to market.” When…
In Case You Missed It – Electric Guitar & Bass Cases and Gig Bags Sales Stay Strong in 2025
By Christian Wissmuller “From the standpoint that I also still gig often – I have a closet full of hardshell cases that never leave the house. When bringing two guitars…
The Small Box Shops: and the Part We Play in the Bigger Picture
When someone asks me what I do for a living, the wise guy in me always wants to reply with, “I try to change the world every thirty minutes —…
2025 MMR Dealers' Choice Awards Nominations - Ballot Closes 9/5!
The Nomination Form for the 2025 MMR Dealers' Choice Awards is now live, but time is running out! 2025 marks the 33rd year of MMR presenting these MI industry awards, chosen by the people…
It's Back to School Season: Is Your Store Ready?
Preparing for the back-to-school rush is one of the most important times of year for music retailers. The season starts long before the first day of class. Stores that gain…
Celebrating 25 Years of Gator Cases: Built for Retailers, Trusted by Musicians By Mike Lawson
In the summer of 2000, Crystal Morris and her father, Jerry Freed, brought a handful of molded plastic guitar cases to the Summer NAMM show in Nashville. They had no…
NAMM's Top 100 Dealer Awards Rebranded as The NAMM Retail Awards
Now in its 15th year, NAMM’s annual celebration of retail excellence has a new name: The NAMM Retail Awards (formerly known as the Top 100 Dealer Awards). This rebrand reflects…
Guitar Center Launches First-ever In-store AI Shopping Assistant in Music Retail
Guitar Center, the largest musical instrument retailer in the U.S., has launched Rig Advisor, becoming the first music retailer to introduce an AI-powered shopping assistant directly onto the store floor.…
Five Star Guitars Becomes First Powers Electric Dealer in the Northwest
Five Star Guitars is now the first and only Powers Electric dealer in the Pacific Northwest. This is a brand-new project from Andy Powers, the Master Builder, CEO, and President…
New Orleans’ Violin Shop Celebrates 50 Years While Preparing for New Ownership
Keller Strings, a second-generation family-owned shop specializing in orchestral stringed instruments, is celebrating 50 years in business as it transitions to new ownership. “We are super excited to watch our…
EAW Partners With David Budge and Blue5 Technology as Independent Sales Representative for Europe
Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW®), a leading innovator of professional loudspeaker systems and technologies, announces the appointment of industry veteran David Budge and Blue5 Technology as an independent sales rep for…
KMC Music Welcomes Rocco Paolino as Inside Sales Representative
KMC Music is pleased to announce the appointment of Rocco Paolino as Inside Sales Representative. Paolino is a music retail veteran whose 20-year career began as a sales associate at…