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.

Timeless Communications Corp. (TCC) – a Nevada corporation – announced today the acquisition of the assets of Symphony Publishing, based in Needham, Mass., publishers of Musical Merchandise Review (MMR), School Band & Orchestra (SBO), JAZZed, and Choral Director publications.

Conn-Selmer has announced the integration of the Musser production site to the company’s Woodwind manufacturing facility located in Elkhart, Indiana later this year (2013).

Although there had been widespread speculation that the annual MI get-together in Canada wouldn’t be taking place this year, it was recently announced that The MIAC Show 2013 will be held at the International Centre in Toronto, September 8-9.

The Percussive Arts Society (PAS) President’s Industry Award was established to recognize those individuals in the percussion industry who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their field and outstanding support of the Society. Percussive Arts Society has announced Steve Weiss as the 2013 recipient of the President’s Industry Award.

It really wasn’t all that long ago that Amazon and eBay shared a voice in Washington, aiming to protect one of their primary competitive advantages over traditional, brick-and-mortar stores — the right of online retailers not to charge sales tax.

MI veteran Earl “Buzz” Goodwin passed away on Tuesday, March 26, after a battle with cancer. He was 62 years old.

Audio-Technica U.S. has named industry veteran Gary Dixon to the position of sales engineer – Installed Sound.

Taylor Guitars recently announced a donation pledge of 300 guitars to Little Kids Rock, the leading provider of music education and free instruments to public school children in under-served communities across the United States.

Cymbal Masters, the owner of Crescent Cymbals, has absorbed Impression Cymbals and will discontinue the Impression brand immediately.

Long time Publisher of Symphony Publications to retire…