Butch Walker
Friday night’s performers at the Yamaha sponsored concert on the Grand Stage had remained a secret up until the lights went up and the beat went down. Fans and spectators spilled over the venue into the thruways and sidewalks that ran along the anchoring hotels, sipping cocktails and enjoying a variety of food trucks waiting for the secret to be revealed. Throughout the day, it was fun to hear some of the thoughts as to who might be taking the stage that night. While taking a break in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel, such names as Eric Clapton to Sir Elton John were speculated, however the stage came alive with a generous and eclectic group of well-known artists all lead by musical director, Nathan East.
Fans were entertained throughout the evening by, violinist, Lindsey Sterling, vocalist, soul and R&B artist, Marc Broussard, rock guitarist and vocalist, Butch Walker, blues-rock and country-rock, singer-songwriter, Melissa Etheridge, R&B artist, Shelèa, singer-songwriter, Michael McDonald and finally R&B vocalist, Sam Moore took the stage!
The evening concluded with Michael McDonald, seated behind the keyboards with Butch Walker, Melissa Etheridge, Sheléa, and Marc Broussard all coming together in a gorgeous rendition of The Doobie Brothers, “Takin’ It to The Streets”.
Lindsey Sterling
Saturday is known to be NAMM’s busiest day and is usually a parking, personal service, bathroom break, food, drink and cocktail obtaining nightmare, as vendors and employees try their best to accommodate as quickly as possible. However, we arrived at almost exactly “go” time and waited in line for nothing the entire day! Entrance into the center and parking was simple and quick. Bathrooms were readily available and constantly being cleaned throughout the center and adjacent hotels, food and drink lines were short and food trucks were accessible all over the center, the courtyards and surrounding the stage areas.