PUBLISHERSStatement
The Show Must Go On!
In nearly 30 years of playing live shows, I’ve
witnessed a variety of uncontrollable cir-
cumstances that have prevented the band
from making it to the stage. There’s been
everything from overheated radiators to
under-medicated ex wives – hell, I even had a
chicken bone lodged in my throat once, but I
have never encountered the unfortunate cir-
cumstances of the house band playing at our
hotel in Anaheim for the NAMM show.
As the band busted into a second set of clas-
sic Zeppelin covers on a poolside stage, “Misty Mountain Hop” was inter-
rupted by a pistol packin’ cop who firmly arrested two members mid-set!
Not a joke, folks; these guys were cuffed, stuffed and escorted stage right.
Now we’ve all had to bail a drummer out of jail at one point or another,
but I’ve never seen it done straight from the stage to the cage. It was
simply unbelievable and unforgettable. Fortunately, this being a show for
NAMM exhibitors, fill-in guitar players were plentiful. One way or another,
the show must go on.
NAMM is certainly a show that must go on, and it will. As the industry
gathered for the 106th rendition of the iconic event, the atmosphere
seemed to be filled with cautious optimism and perceived ambivalence.
NAMM serves as a virtual industry barometer, forecasting product and
economic conditions for the coming year. At a press conference preced-
ing the show, speaker Marty Albertson, CEO of Guitar Center, eluded to a
cautious 2008 outlook for the M.I. industry due to a possible recession, an
unpredictable election year, unstable exchange rate and most importantly,
historic sales trends continuing from 2007.
I would certainly agree with Mr. Albertson’s outlook, but this definitely
wasn’t the feeling at the close of the show for a majority of exhibitors. In
fact, many would agree that this could be one of the most lucrative shows
for manufacturers in the past five years. For Premier Guitar, it was undeni-
ably a pinnacle show that will be the catalyst for our most impactful year to
date. Keep an eye out for our accomplishments in the upcoming months.
Everyone here at Premier Guitar is extremely humbled to gain the confi-
dence of a supportive industry that endorses our multimedia vision. We
promise we will not disappoint your expectations.
Life is short, play more guitar. Nuff sed.
Trent Salter, Publisher
trent@premierguitar.com
888.247.2009
editoriaL
Managing Editor Adam Moore adam@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
Senior Editor James Egolf james@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
Web Content Editor Joe Coffey joe@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
Assistant Editor Rebecca Dirks rebecca@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
Assistant Editor Chris Kies chris@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
Assistant Editor Brittany Hogendorn brittany@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
production
Creative Director Benjamin Otis ben@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
Production Coordinator Shannon Britcher shannon@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
Circulation Manager Lois Stodola lois@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
contributing photographerS
Wayne Dennon
Ben Otis
adVertiSing
Senior Account
Executive BrettPetrusek brett@premierguitar.com 612-869-3967
Account Executive Jeannie Rossow jeannie@premierguitar.com 515-574-2210
Director, Retail
Sales & Service Dave Westin dave@premierguitar.com 800-574-7333
Marketing
Director Of Marketing Shelby Kraus shelby@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
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not responsible for misrepresentation of advertisers. We suggest you
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