TNAG Global Acquires Norman’s Rare Guitars to Preserve and Expand Its Legacy

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 29, 2026--

TNAG Global, the family-owned company behind Nashville’s Carter Vintage Guitars and Cotten Music Center, has acquired Norman’s Rare Guitars, the world-renowned vintage guitar shop founded by industry legend Norman Harris and located at 18969 Ventura Blvd., in Los Angeles.

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The acquisition includes more than 1,000 guitars currently housed at Norman’s Rare Guitars, along with Harris’ personal and private collection assembled over more than 50 years. The store will continue to operate from its iconic San Fernando Valley location, with its team and culture remaining fully intact.

Founded on a mission to preserve the world’s most beloved guitar shops long after their founders retire, TNAG Global will continue the legacy built by Harris over the last 50 years, while guiding Norman’s Rare Guitars into its next chapter by expanding its reach to a global audience of players and collectors. The shop’s legacy was the subject of the recent “ Norman’s Rare Guitars Documentary ” that premiered on Netflix.

“Norman’s Rare Guitars is the most iconic guitar shop in the world, and we are honored to help extend its story into the future,” says Ben Montague, founder and CEO of TNAG Global. “Our responsibility with this acquisition is simple: Protect what makes the shop special, ensure the business thrives beyond its founder and give Norman the freedom to step back whenever he chooses, knowing the legacy is secure.

“California is one of the most important guitar markets in the world, and we believe there is enormous opportunity to bring a truly dialed-in, trusted consignment model to the West Coast. At TNAG Global, customer obsession is the driving force behind everything we build. We create environments where guitar lovers, collectors and musicians can walk into an iconic store — in Nashville or Los Angeles — and feel taken care of at the highest level, both in person and online.”

TNAG Global is integrating Norman’s Rare Guitars’ inventory into its proprietary instrument management system, The Exchange. Managed with exceptional care, transparency and customer experience, The Exchange offers a fully integrated environment to buy, sell and consign legacy instrument brands, in-store and online.

“I’ve always known there would come a time when I needed the right long-term partner to carry Norman’s Rare Guitars forward,” said Norman Harris, founder of Norman’s Rare Guitars. “I couldn’t imagine a better steward for the shop and its legacy than Ben Montague and TNAG Global. The goal has always been to share my love of great guitars with the community, and this partnership allows that community to grow, while protecting everything that makes the shop special. I feel a deep sense of comfort knowing the shop, its history and its values will still be here for future generations of my family and for guitar lovers around the world.”

Harris will remain actively involved in the business as founding ambassador, continuing to source instruments and welcome visitors to the shop for as long as he wishes. The team at Norman’s Rare Guitars will remain in place, continuing to offer the same expertise, personality and community atmosphere the store has been known for since its founding.

“I am extremely excited to see my Uncle Norm enter into this new chapter in his life and career,” said artist and friend of the shop, Joe Bonamassa. “We all know that he will still be around, being the master of ceremonies and dealing the coolest guitars in the world. Congratulations to my friend Ben and the entire team at TNAG Global on securing the legacy of the greatest guitar store in the world.”

Beginning in the second half of 2026, guitar owners will be able to consign instruments through Norman’s Rare Guitars using TNAG Global’s established consignment and authentication processes. Over time, select inventory will be made available online through Norman’s Rare Guitars’ digital platform, expanding global access while maintaining the brand’s distinct identity.

In 2022, TNAG Global acquired Carter Vintage Guitars, introducing the brand to a global online reach while preserving the integrity of one of Nashville’s most respected guitar institutions. Since the acquisition, Carter Vintage Guitars has seen a 233% sales increase. The vision for Norman’s Rare Guitars follows the same philosophy: maintain the soul of the brand locally, while thoughtfully expanding its reach worldwide.

About TNAG Global

TNAG Global, f.k.a. The North American Guitar Ltd., was founded in 2010 in London by Ben Montague and his father, Robert Montague, CBE. TNAG Global acquired Cotten Music Center, Nashville’s longest-standing music store, in 2019, and Carter Vintage Guitars, one of the most respected names in the vintage instrument world, in 2022. In 2024, Montague reacquired full ownership of the business and transitioned the company to TNAG Global LLC. Today, TNAG Global operates at the intersection of heritage, technology and trust, supporting legacy guitar brands through world-class authentication and consignment models, as well as its proprietary instrument management system, The Exchange. With the acquisition of Norman’s Rare Guitars, TNAG Global further solidifies its position as the global leader in high-end and vintage guitar stewardship.

About Norman’s Rare Guitars

Norman’s Rare Guitars is a legendary vintage guitar shop located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. Founded by Norman Harris in 1975, “Norm’s” is renowned for sourcing and selling some of the world’s most iconic guitars to legendary musicians. The community hub continues to inspire players, collectors and music lovers around the globe. Norman’s Rare Guitars’ YouTube page is known for its world-famous videos, where they highlight young, emerging talent alongside veteran musicians who deserve broader exposure. Harris has always been dedicated to giving back to the community, as exemplified by the shop’s long-standing support for The Midnight Mission, LA’s premier homeless shelter. More than a retail destination, the shop has become both a cultural landmark and a living piece of rock history.

FAQ

Ben Montague, founder and CEO of TNAG Global, with Norman Harris, founder of Norman's Rare Guitars, at Norman's Rare Guitars on Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Justice Department has charged a man who squirted apple cider vinegar on Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar at an event in Minneapolis, according to court papers made public Thursday.

The man arrested for Tuesday’s attack, Anthony Kazmierczak, faces a charge of forcibly assaulting, opposing, impeding and intimidating Omar, according to a complaint filed in federal court.

Authorities determined that the substance was water and apple cider vinegar, according to an affidavit. After Kazmierczak sprayed Omar with the liquid, he appeared to say, “She's not resigning. You're splitting Minnesotans apart,” the affidavit says. Authorities also say that Kazmierczak told a close associate several years ago that “somebody should kill” Omar, court documents say.

Kazmierczak appeared briefly in federal court Thursday afternoon. His attorney, Jean Brandl, told the judge her client was unmedicated at the time of the incident and has not had access to the medications he needs to treat Parkinson’s disease and other serious conditions he suffers from.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster ordered that Kazmierczak remain in custody and told officials he needs to see a nurse when he is transferred to the Sherburne County Jail.

Kazmierczak also faces state charges in Hennepin County for terroristic threats and fifth-degree assault, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Thursday.

“This was a disturbing assault on Rep. Omar, who is frequently the target of vilifying language by fellow elected officials and members of the public,” Moriarty said. “The trust of our community in the federal government keeping politics out of public safety has been eroded by their actions. A state-level conviction is not subject to a presidential pardon now or in the future.”

The attack came during a perilous political moment in Minneapolis, where two people have been fatally shot by federal agents during the White House’s aggressive immigration crackdown.

Kazmierczak has a criminal history and has made online posts supportive of President Donald Trump, a Republican.

Omar, a refugee from Somalia, has long been a fixture of Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. After she was elected seven years ago, Trump said she should “go back” to her country. He recently described her as “garbage” and said she should be investigated. During a speech in Iowa earlier this week, shortly before Omar was attacked, he said immigrants need to be proud of the United States — “not like Ilhan Omar.”

Omar blamed Trump on Wednesday for threats to her safety.

“Every time the president of the United States has chosen to use hateful rhetoric to talk about me and the community that I represent, my death threats skyrocket,” Omar told reporters.

Trump accused Omar of staging the attack, telling ABC News, “She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a leading Muslim civil rights group, praised federal prosecutors' decision to file charges against Kazmierczak.

“We welcome these federal charges for the attack on Representative Ilhan Omar as an important step toward accountability and justice," CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said in a statement. "The dangerous climate of dehumanization that inevitably leads to such violent acts puts public servants and entire communities at risk.”

Kazmierczak was convicted of felony auto theft in 1989, has been arrested multiple times for driving under the influence and has had numerous traffic citations, Minnesota court records show. There are also indications he has had significant financial problems, including two bankruptcy filings.

In social media posts, Kazmierczak criticized former President Joe Biden and referred to Democrats as “angry and liars.” Trump “wants the US is stronger and more prosperous,” he wrote. “Stop other countries from stealing from us.”

In another post, Kazmierczak asked, “When will descendants of slaves pay restitution to Union soldiers’ families for freeing them/dying for them, and not sending them back to Africa?”

Threats against members of Congress have increased in recent years, peaking in 2021 following the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters before dipping slightly, only to climb again, according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Capitol Police.

Officials said they investigated nearly 15,000 “concerning statements, behaviors, and communications directed against Members of Congress, their families, staff, and the Capitol Complex” in 2025.

Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press reporter R.J. Rico in Atlanta contributed.

Follow the AP's coverage of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar at https://apnews.com/hub/ilhan-omar.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., speaks during a town hall in Minneapolis, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP)

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., speaks during a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

A man is tackled to the ground after spraying an unknown substance on U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., during a town hall on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Minneapolis. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP)

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., stands during a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)