Johnny Smith, acclaimed jazz guitarist and MI retailer, passed away on June 12, 2013, less than a month before his 91st birthday.

John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd. has announced its cooperation with LPD Music to distribute Fret-King® and Vintage® guitars in the US market.

According to Reuters, Standard & Poor’s cut its debt rating on Bain Capital-owned Guitar Center Holdings Inc. late last month, from ‘B-‘ to ‘CCC+’ due to “weak operating trends.”

At the Yamaha Corporation of America’s annual award event, held at the Sheraton Cerritos Hotel in Cerritos, California, the company handed out several awards to personnel in the Pro Audio & Combo Division.

Samson Technologies will turn over the U.S. distribution of all Zoom products to the newly developed Zoom North America on December 31, 2013.

Alfred Music recently announced that Steven Raft has joined its executive team as Chief Financial Officer.

Tom Meyers, a widely respected industry veteran with more than 30 years experience in every facet of the music business has joined Malletech LLC as general manager.

2013 marks Gretsch’s 130th anniversary, and the company is going all-out to celebrate this historic milestone. Special promotional events in cities across the US and Canada will showcase Gretsch guitars and drums, with concert performances by top Gretsch artists.

Antigua has hired Bo Clifton as product manager. His responsibilities include product development, product management, customer focus, market feedback, and quality.

Latvian company JZ Microphones will take over distribution and manufacturing control of the Flamingo microphone series, thus placing all of the designer’s microphones under one company.

KMC Music held its 26th annual “Everett Porter Unintentional” Charity Golf Tournament on June 3rd in Avon, Connecticut.

The Board of Directors for the National Association of School Music Dealers (NASMD) held a three day planning meeting for the 2014 Convention to be held April 2-5th at the Lowe’s Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando, Florida.

Recent acquisitions in the pro audio realm have broadened Gibson’s range of product offerings considerably and, to reflect this, Gibson Guitar Corp. has become Gibson Brands.

Yamaha Corporation of America has promoted Dennis Webster to the position of manager of marketing for the company’s Pro Audio & Combo Division (PAC), effective immediately.

ChordBuddy LLC has announced that Hal Leonard Corporation will distribute the company’s products to North American retailers.

Musiquip Inc. has been appointed the new exclusive North American distributor for Crush Drums & Percussion.

The longest day of the year (summer solstice) fills with music as 25 city-wide celebrations, along with smaller ones coast to coast, join in the first-ever National Music Day<http://nationalmusicday.org/> on June 21. All are welcome to participate in the more than 2,000 free, outdoor concerts and occasions celebrating the Summer Solstice by making music. Modeled [...]

Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA) has appointmented Nithin Cherian to the position of marketing manager for the Live Sound department, effective immediately.

D’Addario has announced that Rob Cunningham has taken the helm as product manager for Planet Waves.

As part of the company’s ongoing growth and expanded capabilities, Fishman has hired key new staff members for its Product Management and Quality Assurance teams.

MIAC is reporting that, among the fine print in its recent budget presentation, Steven Harper’s government has proposed removing preferred tariff status for imports from 72 countries, including several that are significant suppliers to Canada’s music products industry.

Rodgers Instruments has presented its highest dealer achievement award – the Kakehashi Vision Award – to Los Angeles-based Church Keyboard Center and its president, Nelson Dodge.

The Zildjian Company has annoucned that Andy Schlosser will join its management team as vice president of global sales, assuming responsibilities for the company’s sales function worldwide.

PRS Guitars has promoted Jim Cullen to the position of national sales manager for the Stevensville, Maryland based guitar and amplifier manufacturer.

Wisconsin Women in Government (WWIG) has honored Full Compass owner and board chairwoman, Susan Lipp, with their Woman of Achievement Award.

Global Truss America has named Kenneth Kahn president of the company, which sells products in North America under the DuraTruss and Global Truss brands.

The top music instrument, product, and sound retailers from around the world will be recognized at the annual summer music product trade show, Summer NAMM, held in Nashville, Tenn., on July 12. This year, the number of retailer entries in the Top 100 rose dramatically, making way for many new names on the list.

D’Addario has named Pierre Maillard as its new European sales specialist.

Guitar Center Professional (GC Pro) has appointed Marcin Nowak to the position of GC Pro technical services manager, Western Region.