Peavey won for Amplifier Line of the Year—an honor the 40-year-old company has received in four of the past five years—and Sound Reinforcement Line of the Year. The awards cover several innovative instrument amplifiers and loudspeakers that Peavey introduced in 2004, such as Joe Satriani's signature JSX™ guitar amp and a redesigned line of the company's flagship SP™ Series enclosures.

MMR's Special Appreciation Award honors founder and sole owner Hartley Peavey for his unwavering dedication to retailers as well as his technological innovations. Along with pioneering the use of computer-controlled machinery in guitar manufacturing, Peavey also developed forward-thinking technologies for amplifier design, loudspeakers, mixers and more, while remaining loyal to independent retailers and adhering to a pricing philosophy that finally made pro-quality gear affordable to all musicians.

"I've always had a special relationship with our strong base of independent retailers," says Hartley. "I grew up in a music store, so I think like a retailer. We share a common philosophy about business: make it right, make it better and make it last. As long as we've kept delivering innovative, successful productsand we have for 40 years now they've kept stocking and selling them, and I appreciate their faith in my humble American brand."

MMR's annual Dealers' Choice Awards are determined by feedback provided by retailers across the U.S. The industry staple has covered the music products industry since 1879.