BEST IN SHOW
BEST IN SHOW
CANNONBALL BLACK SAPPHIRE “It’s a limited-edition model, and it’s just gorgeous. This is an amazing company and a beautiful instrument.” [Selected by Gayle Beacock]
The annual Best in Show panel kicked off the last day of The 2026 NAMM Show, spotlighting the hottest gear, companies and services at this year’s show. Held Jan. 24, Best in Show, which was moderated by Frank Alkyer, president of Music Inc. and UpBeat Daily magazines, featured a panel of six retail-buying experts who presented their top picks for the best gear and services they saw across this year’s show floor. THE CATEGORIES DISCUSSED: BEST IN SHOW: The best product or service the panelists saw at NAMM. COMPANY TO WATCH: An exhibitor with trendsetting products or services. GOTTA STOCK IT: A product that retailers should stock right now. ADD-ONS & ACCESSORIES: A great product from the small-goods arena.
PANELISTS:
JIM TUERK Vice President of Marketing at Reverb Chicago
LAURA PENROSE Owner of Nick Rail Music Santa Barbara, California
GEOFF METTS Co-owner of Five Star Guitars Beaverton, Oregon
GAYLE BEACOCK Owner of Beacock Music Vancouver, Washington
FOX MODEL 5800 PROFESSIONAL BB CLARINET
“These are new to Fox’s product lineup, and the team at Fox lets people find their own sound.” [Selected by Robert Christie]
ROBERT CHRISTIE President of A&G Central Music Madison Heights, Michigan
CYPH SHAH General Manager of Astro Audio Video Lighting Glendale, California
Moderator: Frank Alkyer, president, Music Inc., DownBeat and UpBeat Daily magazines, Elmhurst, Illinois
58 I MUSIC INC. I APRIL 2026
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