trade press

Sid Davis took over the Musical Merchandise Review (MMR) trade magazine in the 1980s. Originally the magazine began reporting on the industry in the 1880s and has become an important resource for suppliers and retailers alike. Sid hired the magazine’s first editor, Don Johnson, who was with the publication for over 25 years and stayed on until his passing in 2008. Sid also assembled a jazz and school band magazine designed for educators. His list of innovations includes providing the industry’s first electronic weekly newsletter.

 Don Johnson received his degree in journalism and later landed the editor’s job at a recording industry trade magazine.  Years later the magazine was sold to the owners of the Music Merchandise Review (MMR).  Under Don’s editorial direction the magazine has focused on music dealers with profiles and product news.  He also worked hard to ensure that each issue would contain tips and suggestions that could be applied to any retail store.  In 2007 Don led the effort for the first

Gez Kahan was a struggling musician when he happened to gain the position as the advertising manager for Roland UK in the early 1980s. In the position, Gez was able to use his training in marketing and writing to create the company’s newsletter, which was later excellent training for his editing job for the United Kingdom’s largest music trade magazine called Music Business, which he joined in 1991. Gez has been an important force in the trade press ever since. 

Thilo Kramny is one of our industry’s creative minds that has established published material that has been innovative and resourceful for the music industry. He began as a musician who wanted to create magazines for musicians. He formed Sound Check, a small magazine in German, back in the 1980s, which later became the largest music magazine in the country. He later created Keyboard & Computer, which was the first magazine to offer a CD on the cover. Thilo also established the Frankfurt Daily magazine in 1984 after attending a NAMM Show and seeing the success of the UpBeat Daily as a useful guide for show attendees. 

Frank Luppino Jr. wrote for Billboard Magazine in the 1940s when the noted publication dedicated a segment to the music products industry and an annual NAMM issue. He oversaw the NAMM issue, which covered the recording industry, as well as electrical products such as washing machines and refrigerators. Frank often wrote of the trends of the day and had a keen eye towards product marketing. In fact, he would later lead the marketing team at Seeburg before forming his own company, Marketing Insights.
 

John Majeski Jr. was appropriately given the AMC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005 for a long career as editor of the Music Trades Magazine. John’s father preceded him and his son Brian now continues the tradition. During John’s era, the Beatles came to America and forever changed the industry. John wrote of the growth of the accordion in the 1950s and the home organ in the 1960s. John once said, “One thing is clear about this industry, innovation is just around the corner.”  

Jim Norris grew up in music. He played a trumpet in grade school and continued playing throughout high school. He later formed a rock and roll band named Sea Dog that gained a good following and recorded several hit albums. Jim was also interested in publishing and worked in the magazine business before creating Canadian Musicians Magazine in 1979. Just a few months later he began the Canadian Music Trade Magazine, which has provided an important insight into the people, companies and products from Canada that have helped shape the global music market.

Robert Popyk knows enough about the music industry to write about it! Bob had several music retail stores before selling them in 1979 to form a sales and marketing strategies business. Since that time he has been active writing columns for Music Trades magazine and providing sessions at several NAMM shows on a wide range of topics. While a retailer, Bob carried Wurlitzer, among many lines, and grew to know the people and products that made that company a major force in the industry for several decades.

Vinny Testa has provided the music products industry with more fervent communication, helping to unite and expand the industry. As founder of Music and Sound Retailer, Vinny introduced many of the magazine’s notable features and expanded the venture to include Testa Television and Testa Communications. Vinny is also a record producer who has worked for decades with noted engineer Don Casale.  

Dan Vedda grew up playing music. As an arranger and trumpeter he gained a respected reputation in the Westlake area of Ohio. After working for a music retailer in town he was encouraged by a music teacher friend to open his own store –so he did. Skyline Music--the name comes from his rock band the Skyliners--brought Dan’s great knowledge of music and business together. He focused on the often-forgotten customer of music stores, the music teacher. In 1996 he became a regular columnist for the Music and Sound Retailer.