For Artists, Musicians, Instrument Makers and all those that support the business of music NAMM is their Mecca.
NAMM, short for the National Association of Music Merchants, is a music industry trade group. Founded in 1901, NAMM has evolved from an organization supporting sales of musical Instruments and music related equipment, to a group promoting all aspects of music.
Each year in January, NAMM hosts an annual trade show in Southern California at the Anaheim Convention Center. “Winter NAMM” is one of the two largest music trade shows in the world. ( Musikmesse in Frankfurt is the other). NAMM also hosts a smaller show in Nashville Tennessee during the summer months known as “Summer NAMM.”
NAMM’s mission statement is simple: “strengthen the music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music.” While best known for its members, the group also supports numerous charitable organizations as a way to strengthen global love and support for music.
Electro Voice Evolve 30M Portable Speaker System
It might sound pretty dry at first glance; a convention, musical instruments, salesmen, etc, but don’t be fooled. In addition to the trade show, the event brings together some of the biggest names in music to perform concerts on several nearby stages.
The Show
On display this year at NAMM was every flavor or musical instrument you can think of. DJ equipment manufacturers were out in full force with their new products.
Speaker maker Electro Voice was showing off their new portable speaker system. Stage lighting companies were dazzling the passersby with an array of different lighting and controls. A Turkish company was touting the virtues of cymbals made in Turkey. Guitars, guitars, and more guitars. I had no idea so many companies made guitars.
A real surprise exhibitor was the US Census. The Census folks were there talking to people about how important the census is. The Census booth was holding a drawing for an electric guitar donated by D’Angelico Guitars. I also saw law firms and banks offering financing for your event or equipment.
The Experience
During NAMM each year, BackStage360 Writers and Photographers descend upon the Anaheim Convention Center to cover what a can only be called an “Extravaganza.”
Being that this was my first year attending, I really had no idea what to expect. I was not disappointed.
In a phrase “Music Filled the Air.”
One afternoon a drum circle broke out in a pavilion right outside the event. One morning a group of youth musicians in a brass band serenaded the day’s attendees as they arrived, and that was just for starters!
Michael Spencer of Flotsam and Jetsam (Rt)
As I wandered through the Convention Center, I was treated to the sounds of attendees playing all manner of musical instruments. From pianos, guitars, drums, flutes, and any other type of instrument you can imagine, many of the attendees played expertly while others just picked up a drum stick or grabbed a guitar and went at it. As I visited various booths, I was treated to the low level (and sometimes not so low level) din emanating as the music industry showed off the latest and greatest of what they have to offer.
For music fans like me, one of the cooler aspects of NAMM is the chance to meet some of your favorite artists and bands. Vendors like PRS Guitars and Atelier Z Guitar Works brought in some of the musicians they sponsor to demonstrate their products. Many exhibitors sponsored autograph signing events. Fans were queued up for hours for the opportunity to get a signed autograph and meet some of today’s hottest musicians.
Oh the Music!
BackStage360 was there and covered several concerts during this year’s NAMM show. In addition to booth events with rock bands like the Black Star Riders, stage performances this year included Iconic artists: Sarah McLachlan and Ronnie Montrose to name a few.
Friday night crowds were treated to the Yamaha All Star Concert on the Grand. Popular artists Kenny Loggins, Avery Sunshine, Mr. Talkbox, Sheléa and Verbal Ase took to the Yamaha Grand Plaza stage to perform their hits and beloved covers. Comic Sinbad acted as emcee for the show and kept the fans entertained between sets.
The crescendo of Friday nights Yamaha All Star Concert was a performance by R&B, Soul and Funk legends Earth, Wind & Fire.
Tower of Power
Saturday night the convention was capped off with a concert by superstar 70’s R&B Horn band Tower of Power. Billed as their 50th Anniversary show, Tower of Power is widely considered one of the best horn bands of all time!
In celebration of NAMM, there were a number of artists that played concerts in local venues around the convention center area. Here’s just a partial list of events:
The Supergroup Metal Alliance consisting of Mike Portnoy, Alex Skolnick, Mark Menghi, (and others) rocked the House of Blues in Anaheim.
Legendary Guitar Maker Gibson threw a party at the Anaheim Grove with their Gibson Legends. A number of artists including Slash, Don Felder, Billy Gibbons, Rick Nielsen and Lzzy Hale took the stage to play for the convention goers.
The Anaheim Hilton hosted “Ultimate NAMM Night.” Ultimate NAMM night is a superstar filled Jam session with popular rockers from today’s most popular rock bands. Purported to have had over 100 artists appearing that night, it was one of the most popular events during the convention.
Rattlesnack Cables
In truth there were far too many performances to talk about in a short article. Let’s just say NAMM this year was a music filled, star studded event.
Oh Yeah…there were some beautiful musical instruments too!
This year’s NAMM Show was held January 16th– 19th
Contact NAMM for more Information:
https://www.namm.org/
