Music Inc.

Frank Alkyer has asked a lot of questions. As a writer and editor of Music Inc., he has interviewed music retailers and suppliers alike. In addition as a writer and editor for DownBeat Magazine, Frank has interviewed countless jazz and big band performers. With this background, you can imagine how meaningful it was for the NAMM team to have the opportunity to interview Frank for the Oral History program. Frank has been an active member of the industry supporting music educational programs, as well as professional development efforts such as the series of sessions he has hosted at

Katie Kailus studied at Elmhurst College in the Jazz program playing guitar and majoring in writing. In 2009, she combined her passions and education by serving as an intern for Downbeat Magazine while still a student. At the time she wrote small feature stories and really enjoyed the staff she worked with as well as the musicians she was able to meet. Katie later began working for the magazine’s sister publication, Music Inc. That provided her the opportunity to attend her first NAMM Show where she felt right at home surrounded by passionate music makers. In 2014 she began her ro

Kevin Maher has countless stories about the music industry, about jazz and about his father and grandfather who ran Down Beat Magazine and the early days at Music Inc.  Even more, Kevin can outline the trends and the great innovations that have changed our industry over the years because his magazines reported each of them.  Kevin is serving as president of both magazines and proud of his background in publishing and the role his magazines have served over the years in promoting music education and in celebrating music making at all levels.

Kevin R. Maher grew up in his family’s music publication business, a business responsible for the iconic jazz magazine DownBeat as well as the music product industry’s Music Inc and UpBeat Daily. Kevin’s great-grandfather, John Maher, began printing DownBeat in 1938, just four years after the magazine was established. John took over the business in 1950 and was dedicated to promoting and supporting music education. This led to his involvement with the music products industry and the development of his other magazines. Maher Publications remain in the family and Kevin proudly conti