On Thursday of this week, the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Ocean and Insular Affairs of the US House of Representatives heard testimony at its oversight hearing on the 2008 Lacey Act Amendments.

George Quinlan Sr., founder of Quinlan & Fabish Music Company based in Chicago, died on May 11 at the age of 90.

Earlier this week, an American Airlines flight made an emergency landing…

Rick Dorn, a 30-year veteran of Fletcher Music Centers (FMC), has been promoted to president and chief operating officer of the 19-store retail music chain that operates throughout Florida and Arizona.

As part of its ongoing philanthropy, Alfred Music recently donated more than $8,000 of music education materials to local nonprofit Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), which provides local underserved youth with academics, arts, and athletics programs in the Rampart District.

DANSR, Inc. announced that Denis Wick Products has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade 2013. This accolade is one of Britain’s most coveted business awards, and offers recognition for some of the UK’s most successful companies.

Hal Leonard Corporation has announced the promotion of Mark Mumford to the newly created position of managing director for Europe. In his expanded role, Mumford will oversee all aspects of the company’s business in the UK and throughout Europe.

Symetrix has appointed Craig Richardson to the position of vice president of global sales. Richardson assumes responsibility for management of the company’s worldwide sales and business development.

NAMM has created a full schedule of networking events designed to entertain, inspire and pay tribute to NAMM Members.

This week, Guitar Center’s executive VP of stores, Gene Joly, sat down for a brief, exclusive interview with MMR to offer his take on the complaints being leveled against GC, his take on the company’s relationship with employees, and more…

ChordBuddy LLC, makers of the ChordBuddy™ Guitar Learning System, have appointed Elena Ryan to the newly created position of national education marketing director for the growing company.

Representatives of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, KMCMusicorp and New York music retailer Sam Ash, presented 20 student-size Fender®, Applause® and Jasmine® brand classical-style acoustic guitars, gig bags, and electronic guitar tuners to the music program at the P.S. 317Q Waterside Children’s Studio School in Queens, New York.

Resurrecting the highest level of excellence established by John D’Angelico, one of the finest luthiers of all time, D’Angelico Guitars of America is reviving the brand for the modern age. The current models are genuine incarnations of John D’Angelico’s legendary aesthetic and attention to detail.

Confirming the suspicions of millions of teenage boys throughout the past four or five decades, a new study conducted by the Université de Bretagne-Sud in France has determined that, “women are attracted to men with guitars.”

Wolfe Taninbaum was a leader in the development of synthetic reeds, and well-known for his mouthpiece designs.

On Wednesday, May 8th, Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc. (NYSE: LVB) announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013.

Steve Sattler, a longtime MI industry professional, has joined the sales team at MMR.

Reloop, manufacturer of qDJ products and accessories based in Germany recently announced their new exclusive US distribution partnership with American Music and Sound.

Tim’s Music in Sacramento, California was burglarized twice, May 2 and May 3, by two men…

Cappello Music Co., Inc. was the drum set sponsor of this year’s Camp Jam, suppling a Traps A400 acoustic kit to all the camps across the country.

Following the news on May 1 of the successful completion of the acquisition of MakeMusic by LaunchEquity, Andy Stephens, managing member of LaunchEquity, today announced the appointment of Karen VanDerBosch as CEO.

Fats Domino’s white Steinway grand piano salvaged from his home after Hurricane Katrina has been restored and will be the centerpiece of an exhibit in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Lanikai has been recently informed that letters and emails from a Chinese company called Fu Rui Gifts Manufacture Co. Ltd are being circulated to U.S. and European distributors and retailers offering counterfeit Lanikai product for sale.

Timeless Communications Corp. (TCC) president Terry Lowe named longtime MMR contributor Kevin Mitchell editorial director of the recently acquired assets of Symphony Publishing.

Master luthier Michael Powers passed away on April 29. Powers was an integral part of Peavey’s development of musical instruments throughout the last four decades.

Summer NAMM returns July 11-13, 2013 to Nashville, Tennesee. This year, the show moves into a new home – Nashville’s Music City Center – offering new opportunities to build lasting connections, conduct robust business and re-stock for the fall and holiday, while celebrating the best in music retailing.

Takuya “Tak” Nakata has been named president and representative director of Yamaha Corporation Japan, succeeding Mitsuru “Mick” Umemura. The announcement was made on April 30, during a meeting of the company’s board of directors.

Industry veteran, Jessica Sullivan has joined Wilder2, a full-service marketing agency, and will lead business development and account services in the pro audio and music products segment.

KHS America will now be the exclusive U.S Distributor for BG Franck Bichon Woodwind Accessories.

Given the already established close ties between the two organizations, it should come as no surprise that the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio has formally entered into an agreement to become part of NAMM, strengthening the important work of both non-profits and the NAMM Show.