Summer NAMM: Industry Insight

“These are iconic heroes of mine, and to have all of them on stage here tonight is wonderful,” declared a genuinely giddy Joe Lamond, CEO/president of NAMM on Thursday night at the Davidson Ballroom in Music City Center.  And while what followed was projected to be 60 minutes of, “Insight: Hard-Earned Wisdom,” from pretty much the biggest collection of straight-shooters in the business, it would veer off a bit and became 90 minutes that included odes to the an industry that that the panel so clearly loves, much to the audience’s delight.

Lamond exited stage right as hosts Vince Gill and Tom Bedell took the podium. Hartley Peavey (Peavey) was the first to take the stage carrying a beer, setting the tone for what turned out to be a standing room only crowd. Following Hartley was indeed a collection of industry leaders: Chris Martin (Martin Guitars), Bob Taylor (Taylor Guitars), Henry Juszkiewicz (Gibson Brands), Jim D’Addario (D’Addario), Sterling Ball (Ernie Ball), Fred Gretsch (Gretsch), and Andy Zildjian (Sabian).

D’Addario spoke of embracing green technology, and of bringing much of their production back to US soil. He was blunt about the investment necessary in terms of training and dollars that an organization of any size must make from time to time, but encouraged all, no matter what size, to do the same.

Following that theme, Taylor spoke of how, while it was far from easy, his company ultimately achieved success in setting up a factory in Cameroon, and what it means to be truly environmentally sensitive. “We have to look at tone wood differently,” he said.

When Bedell asked the panel what they learned from their father, Andy Zildjian got a big laugh when he responded with, “Don’t believe your own press, or you’ll make an ass out of yourself.”

Ball stressed the importance of looking outside our own world.  Specifically he spoke of his foray into the world of BBQing, and what lessons he learned since founding his Big Papa Smokers. (Sterling is now something of a cable television star, being featured TLC’s BBQ Pitmasters show – a television crew from the network was filming him on this panel.)

Personal Moments

But no doubt what tugged most on the hearts of those in attendance were the many personal moments shared.  Taylor, in the midst of talking about how he started building guitars 40 years ago, paused, sighed, and in the not-sure-he-knew-he-was-saying-it-out-loud mode, whispered, “40 years. Wow!”

Juszkiewicz’ loss of his son in a car accident in 2008 was brought up by Gill. Martin’s parent’s divorce when he was just three years old came up in conversation, as well.

Gretsch invited people to look him up when they were in his town for a tour, and D’Addario invited dealers to call or email him about how they can turn things greener for their business.

Peavey had the last words, and pushed the dealers in the crowd to strike out on their own.  “To stay ahead of the competition, you have to know more about them then they do,” he says.  “And you have to try new [products].  Finally, if you don’t have a passion for what you’re doing, get out of the business!”

(photo: Getty Images)