The big snowstorm that buried the East Coast has come and gone, and so has this year’s Anaheim NAMM show.
And now that we are back in the office, we can collect our thoughts and reflect on our experiences. Recently I was asked to reflect on my favorite things about attending a NAMM show. Here are my top ten things I always enjoy about the NAMM shows both in Anaheim and Nashville, and these are the reasons why – if you’ve never been – you should be planning your trip now!
1. The pure insanity of hanging out with 100,000 of your closest friends…
The NAMM show in Anaheim wins this category although there is one special “Nashville catch” that I will come back to. Anaheim’s show has a frenetic vibe and if you’re like me, you never fail to over-schedule with back-to-back events because you just don’t want to miss a thing. Of course, you discount the fact that 100,000 people can stuff a hallway like Steve Vie stuffs a measure with licks, so in classic NAMM fashion, you arrive just in the nick of time to your next event; right as you sit down, inevitably, you receive a text from a longtime friend asking if you will meet them on the other side of the convention center because they want to introduce you to Graham Nash. Chaos. Beautiful chaos.
2. Where else but at a NAMM show can you pass Stevie Wonder in the hall…
Or hang with your new buddy Kris Kristofferson, or listen to Mary Luehrsen interview Weird Al Yankovic? This can happen in Anaheim or Nashville, but as far as I know, the best possibility for it to happen is only at a NAMM show. Steven Tyler, yeah no problem, we’ve got that.
3. Attending a session at The Idea Center…
If you overlook this opportunity you need to re-think your NAMM show strategy. In Anaheim it’s amazing and loaded with great speakers and top-shelf strategists; but in Nashville it’s just as innovative with an added twist of legendary Nashville folksy. The Nashville songwriters and industry experts come out of the woodwork to share trade secrets and that is just the greatest. So whether you are looking for ways to improve your web search, lesson programs, the look of your store, or just learn how to manage your inventory better, the Idea Center is the place to be for inside music industry knowledge and insight.
4. TEC Tracks, educational sessions…
Launched at last year’s Nashville show, TEC Tracks is a completely re-tooled model of NAMM’s old HOT Zone. Thanks to NAMM’s Zach Phillips, this refreshed and re-named presentation center is designed to provide insight into the growing audio-visual, and recording markets. TEC Tracks has fast become the go-to place for education in the industry’s latest studio, stage, and sound production trends. How can you go wrong with the likes of Eddie Kramer as the keynote speaker? Here is a simple test to see if TEC Tracks is right for you…Good enough for Hendrix; good enough for me. Makes me hungry for Nashville.
5. You always find the best innovations in Hall-E…
Ever wonder what tomorrow looks like? Your best chance of catching a rising star may be in Hall-E. The unique character of Hall-E has its own vibe; whether you swing by Two Old Hippies to look at Weber mandolins, Bedell or Breedlove guitars, or visit Deering banjos, the community in Hall-E knows they have innovation going on. Those in the know know Hall-E has the “indie vibe” of the NAMM show.
6. The No Brainier Award goes to …
You will always see massive amounts of the latest gear at a NAMM show; that is a no-brainer, but that being said, there are always inspiring new innovations on display at both NAMM shows. Stumbling onto an unusual and innovative product like JamHub or discovering a simple new twist on an old idea is what both NAMM shows are all about, and you never want to blink in this industry.
7. Vince Gill never disappoints and music is never better than at a NAMM show…
This category is a tie between Anaheim and Nashville. However, Nashville as a town brings a unique offering and, therefore, for me, personally wins; and I openly admit I have a slight bias. At the Anaheim show you have musicians from all over the world, and, truly, the greatest L.A. players show up. You get to see the likes of Nathan East and Stevie Wonder and everyone knows it gets no better than that. But if you attend the Nashville kickoff party hosted by Tom Bedell and Vince Gill, you are introduced to treats like Tim Ackers and the Smoking Section or Paul Franklin playing with Brent Mason. And know, that level of unique Nashville artistry is in a universe all its own. It is a fact that there is no better place to hear music than the NAMM show. A lot of it happens impromptu right on the show floor.
8. The Nashville NAMM show equals more personal facetime…
Here is the “Nashville Catch” I was referring to earlier. I would be willing to bet your phone has the ability to “Facetime,” and that’s exactly what the Nashville NAMM show offers. It’s a smaller show and so “hang time” improves greatly. Because it’s a smaller show, the energy is a lot more relaxed and laidback as well. You’ll still be scheduling lots of meetings, bouncing around to all of the booths, and sharing stories over coffee, but the overall vibe is a bit lighter. Nashville’s backdrop is completely unique, and they call it Music City for a reason, so definitely take advantage of your free time to explore.
9. Nashville is a food town and you can meet Johnny Cash…
You may have heard that Nashville is a food town, but while you are there in Nashville this summer, visit the music museums and catch up with Johnny Cash and Elvis or better yet, come stand in line with the rest of us at Pancake Pantry. Everywhere you look you’ll see a BBQ joint or a saloon. There’s no better pairing than brew and ‘que after a long day on the showroom floor. Try everything you have time to try. You will thank me later!
How lucky are we?
I always count my blessings that I have been fortunate enough to be able to make a living in the music business. I simply can’t imagine another way of life. I am very grateful that the NAMM shows provide us a place to gather twice a year. The music industry is always changing, and you will see the best ideas for tomorrow first at the NAMM shows. It is a place to celebrate the rich history of our heroes from yesterday as well. If you’re not at NAMM… What am I saying? You’ve got to go! See you at the next show!
