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Brian Higgins, Zach Myers and Tracey Higgins-Kern

Zach on the Attack

Hard rock guitarist and Paul Reed Smith signature artist Zach Myers visited Bill’s Music in Catonsville, Md. More than 50 fans lined up at the family-owned music store to meet Myers, several of whom even purchased a PRS SE Zach Myers Semi-Hollow body guitar so that they could have it signed at the event. Though Myers would play a show later that evening with his band Shinedown, he happily stayed until the very last autograph was signed. Store managers (and siblings) Brian and Tracey Higgins-Kern described Myers as “gracious, down to earth and fun to be around.” This was Myers’ second visit to Bill’s Music.

L to R: Ryan West, Jon Harris, president of Harris-Teller, and Robin Walenta

West Music Hands Out Awards

West Music honored several award recipients at its Annual Celebration at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Vendor of the Year award was presented to Harris-Teller, Vendor Representative of the Year was awarded to Tracy Dean of Thunder Marketing and Business Partner of the Year was presented to Lynn Tuttle of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).

Regarding Harris-Teller: “This award-winning vendor is always open to new partnership ideas and collaborates with us on getting the absolute best for our customers,” said Robin Walenta, president of West Music. “Every interaction with this company proves that they are not just a supplier of goods, but that they are a company who partners with us to ensure that we are able to provide a high level of customer service.”

Ryan West, executive vice president of West Music, discussed the Vendor Rep of the Year by commenting: “Tracy takes the ‘if you’re open, we’re open’ idea personally, and recognizes that honesty and integrity are the keys to success for any music or product trend. This rep is there to make sure we know of the latest and greatest products, he equips our team with the product knowledge, and he helps us engage our customers through events and promotions. He is an invaluable partner to the West Music organization.”

Walenta also discussed the Business Partner of the Year award. “Through her partnership with the National Association for Music Merchants (NAMM) and many of the state music education associations, [the] winner has been a dedicated resource as we work to understand and leverage funding for school music education,” she said. “She has been very active in the state of Iowa, partnering with the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education, assisting in the planning of music and arts in-state accountability reporting systems, and identifying music and arts as potential uses for federal Title IV-A funds.”

Get Into the GrooveTech

Following the sale of its Powersports tool business, musician tool specialist CruzTOOLS has rebadged as GrooveTech. The sale and name change allow GrooveTech to concentrate on its core business of developing innovative and practical tools for musicians. Leading the way are the recently introduced Acoustic Guitar Tech Kit and second-generation Drum Multi-Tool, with more products in the pipeline, stated the company.

“It was a little difficult to let go of the Powersports business,” stated Dan Parks, president of GrooveTech. “But we found a great home for it and can now fully dedicate our attention to the needs of musicians.” GrooveTech makes tools for musicians that are sold through dealers and distributors worldwide.

Hal Leonard Vocal Competition Award Winners Announced

Hal Leonard announced the winners of the ninth-annual Hal Leonard Vocal Competition for young classical and theater singers, comprised entirely of YouTube video entries. There were more than 1,000 entries in the 2019 competition in two divisions: Art Song and Musical Theater, with four age categories for each, ranging from children through college undergraduates. Hal Leonard gave away more than $10,000 in cash prizes and gift certificates to encourage singers to continue to follow their dreams and their vocal studies, and to recognize the good work of voice teachers.

First-place winners for 2019 in Art Song: college/university undergraduates (ages 18-23): Lindsey Reynolds from Curtis Institute of Music; high-school voices (ages 16-18): Callie Iliff of San Marcos, Texas; early teen voices (ages 13-15): Anna Zavelson of Austin, Texas; children’s voices (ages 12 and under): Natalie Huzij of Colorado Springs, Colo.

First-place winners for 2019 in musical theatre: college/ young adult voices (ages 18-23): David Young from DePauw University; high-school voices (ages 16-18): Saoirse Ryhn of Round Rock, Texas; early teen voices (ages 13-15): Aliyah Douglas of Oro Valley, Ariz.; children’s voices (ages 12 and under): Alex Vacchiano of West Caldwell, N.J.

“It’s inspiring to watch all the singers who enter the competition,” said Rick Walters, vice president of classical and vocal publications at Hal Leonard. “We thank all the students, teachers, pianists and parents for their efforts in creating the audition videos. There is a bright future of singing in North America.”

Dinah and Fred Gretsch

Dinah Gretsch Honored for 40 Years in MI

Family, friends and dozens of musicians gathered at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville for a special dinner party to honor Gretsch Co.’s First Lady, Dinah Gretsch, and celebrate her 40 years in the music industry. Music, of course, was in the air throughout the evening, and musical director Bob Sabellico arranged an all-star lineup of performers, including Steve Wariner, Doyle Dykes, Todd “Banjoman” Taylor, John Knowles, Fred Mollin, Nik and Sam, Sean Weaver and many more.

Fred Gretsch also spoke, highlighting his wife’s many attributes. “She has a heart of gold and plays a huge role with the worldwide family of musicians, music lovers, family members, Gretsch artists and fans,” he said. “She’s a wonderful mother to six children, 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She’s also a great wife and a terrific cook, too.”

Dinah took a few minutes to thank everyone for coming and shared how great it has been to work with her husband, as well as her daughter, and be part of a successful team for the past 40 years. She also shared what an honor it is to work with the hundreds of musicians who support and play Gretsch drums and guitars.

“What’s most rewarding to me, though, is being able to give back

and touch children’s lives and hearts through music and the instruments we make,” Dinah said. “I wanted to start a ukulele program earlier this year for 9- and 10-year-old children. Now we have multiple ukulele clubs for students of all ages, with some meeting and playing together after school. How awesome is that?”

Dinah, who currently serves as the executive vice president and chief financial officer of the Gretsch Co., concluded with these words, “To think that this company is 136 years old, and that I’ve been a part of it and was also a main part of it when we purchased the company back from Baldwin Piano Co. to bring it back into the Gretsch family, it’s been so very special.”

Jeff Gottlieb

Music & Arts Gets Gottlieb

Guitar Center appointed Jeff Gottlieb as president of its Music & Arts brand, specializing in band and orchestral instruments for sale and rental, serving parents, teachers, band directors, college professors and students. Gottlieb will report directly to Guitar Center president and CEO Ron Japinga and will be based in Maryland at Music & Arts’ headquarters.

Gottlieb entered his new role with significant retail experience, including executive positions at Sur La Table, Jockey International and Banana Republic. He is also an avid advocate for music education and plays guitar. While at Sur La

Table, he led a rapid phase of growth and many of the growth strategies he executed can bolster the ongoing expansion of Music & Arts. Additionally, he led the Sur La Table cooking school program, a business with many parallels to the lessons programs of Guitar Center and Music & Arts.

“I’m very excited to be joining Music & Arts,” said Gottlieb. “We have an incredible opportunity to continue to build a brand that is an extremely important part of people’s lives. I have a deep appreciation for all different genres of music, and that appreciation is part of what attracted me to Music & Arts. This business is so much more than a retail store; as one of the largest music lesson providers, we offer tremendous value to our customers and students by giving them valuable skills they will use for the rest of their lives.”

Added Japinga: “Jeff is a strong, confident and collaborative leader. One of the things that excites me about Jeff is his experience leading complex retail operations, including managing companies through strong growth initiatives. While his track record includes strong financial performance, it was very clear to me that Jeff has a peoplefirst mindset and is passionate about customer service, both of which are critical for all leaders throughout the Guitar Center enterprise.”

John Powell

Pioneer Turns to Powell

Pioneer DJ Americas Inc. appointed industry veteran John Powell to the position of president effective April 1. Powell oversees all Pioneer DJ Americas operations, thus taking over responsibilities from current president, Yoshinori Kataoka. Kataoka moved to the role of Pioneer DJ Corp. executive vice president and chief operating officer at its Japan headquarters as of the same date.

Powell first joined Pioneer DJ in the summer of 2017 as senior vice president of sales, and he has implemented a successful sales strategy which has led to double-digit sales growth for the Torrance, Calif.-based organization. Powell’s appointment confirms Pioneer DJ’s commitment to continuing its growth and reinforcing its market presence as a leader in DJ technology and pro audio solutions.

“John has played a key role in our success here at Pioneer DJ and Pioneer Professional Audio. With my new responsibilities as COO at headquarters in Yokohama, I could not think of a better candidate to take on the day-to-day running of Pioneer DJ Americas,” said Kataoka.

Powell has served in numerous leadership roles at JBL International, Harman and Boston Acoustics. He is a graduate of California State University Northridge.

“I am honored to be offered this opportunity,” said Powell. “Pioneer DJ is a solid company with amazing growth potential. We have a strong team and will continue the success we have enjoyed under Mr. Kataoka’s leadership.”