By Judy Shields
Anaheim, California (The Hollywood Times) 06/08/2022
Photos Kevin Goetz/The Hollywood Times & Getty Images as stated
From the Media Preview Day, held Thursday, June 2nd and the official start day of Friday, June 3 and concluding Sunday, June 5, there was so much to see, amazing music on big Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage as well as a couple of other stages, food trucks galore and food booths all around, this was the way to welcome back NAMM.
With a desire to reignite industry relationships, business and launch new products, the Show welcomed over 1,000 exhibiting members representing 3,500 brands across the campus of the Anaheim Convention Center. As a smaller yet truly global affair, the mix of 46,627 registered attendees represented 111 countries and territories.
Attendees were an invited mix of industry professionals from across the crossroads that included domestic and international retail and distribution buyers and employees, exhibitors, entertainment tech and pro audio buyers and professionals, media, artists, invited guests, and The NAMM Foundation’s GenNext (college music students and faculty), Music Education Days (school music administrators and buyers) and Nonprofit Institute (NAMM grantees and nonprofit affiliates).
Music Education Days
For music teachers and school administrators seeking ‘what’s next’ in music products and classroom technologies, The NAMM Foundation, in collaboration with Technology In Music Education (TI:ME), presented 30+ sessions and events designed to inform, inspire and engage with the tools relevant to today’s music classrooms. Session highlights includes “Music Administration Collaborative. Plan Your Program’s Success: Getting Started with Strategic Arts Planning;” “Rethinking Music Education in the Post Covid-19 World;” “Teacher Tech Talk,” which featured TI:ME Teacher of the Year winners; “Building a Nationally-Recognized Music Program: It’s All About Collaborative Structures;” and “Solution Based Learning Opportunities Addressing Current Topics in Music Education.”
The track also gathered music education leaders at the Show for the “The Music Education Leadership ‘Call to Action’” Summit. The Summit raised critical questions currently facing music education and its future to advance music learning opportunities for all students. Panelists included Bob Morrison, Quadrant Research; Russ Sperling, San Diego Unified School District; Lynn Tuttle, American String Teachers Association; Dr. James Weaver, National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS); and Kendall Isadore and Élise Sharp of The String Queens.
The Nonprofit Management Institute
NAMM’s Nonprofit Management Institute provided nonprofit arts organizations and with sessions to grow and succeed in creating a world with more music makers. Session topics included “An Agile Nonprofit is a Successful Nonprofit:” “Unlocking Innovation to Up Your Nonprofit’s Game;” “Beyond Good Intentions: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Programming, Operations, and Governance;” and “Reevaluate Your Mission and Vision to Meet the Needs of Your Community.”
NAMM Show+
The Show’s new digital extension, the NAMM Show+, provided a platform for attendees to connect with each other, livestream sessions, special events and performances from across the campus. Nearly 100 sessions and special events were livestreamed from the campus, with attendees able to engage through chat, networking features and more on the platform.
Looking Ahead
The global crossroads of the music products, pro audio and entertainment technology industry will return to Anaheim April 13-15, 2023 and then again in January 2024. For additional information, please visit NAMM.org
Each day of the Show began with a NAMM U Breakfast Session in the Pacific Ballroom, inside the Anaheim Hilton. On Friday June 3, NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond hosted “Breakfast of Champions” with a panel of industry leaders and innovators, including Alexander Pietschmann, Adam Hall; Kimberly Deverell, San Diego Music Studio; Lana Negrete, Santa Monica Center; Ray Williams, IMSTA; and Sophia and Desdamona, music-making robots from Hanson Robotics.
Multi-GRAMMY® winner, composer and artist Kenny Loggins was presented with NAMM’s “Music for Life Award.”
In his interview, Loggins reminisced about his start and the role of the community music store. “I went into Pedrini School of Music in Alhambra [California], and I bought my first classical music from there, and I bought my first electric guitar there, when I was a junior in high school. All the kids in my neighborhood, we all had the same dream – to be the next big thing.”
On his advice for the next generation of musicians, Loggins offered, “As far as music goes, music is in our DNA. When I’m working with young artists, we’re talking about the love of music, its role, and its importance in our lives.”
Each evening of the Show came alive on the Yamaha Grand Plaza stage with plenty of star power. At Thursday’s Yamaha Night of Worship, Fred Hammond and the Saddleback Worship Choir packed the Grand Plaza.
Friday, June 3rd
It all stared with “Visit Anaheim” welcoming The NAMM Show Back to Anaheim with Special Grand Opening Performance by The Disneyland Band. Performance was followed by a special ribbon cutting by the City of Anaheim.
There was a Breakfast of Champions held at 8am – The 2022 NAMM Show is about transformation. Transformation in business, life and, most of all, mindset. It’s also about tradition—and our industry’s rich history of legendary instruments, technologies and people. And as we return to Anaheim for a long-overdue industry homecoming, you’ll get a firsthand glimpse at what this convergence looks like in a post-pandemic world at “Breakfast of Champions”—the must-see kickoff to The NAMM Show. NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond was on hand to explore this new era and share a can’t-miss outlook for those in attendance and their business. Insights, stories and inspiration that you won’t find on a Zoom call—or anywhere else. Get ready for reinvention and a vision of this new “next.”
Kevin Blake Goodwin performed on the Avid Marriott Stage and proved he was worthy of winning the 2015 Canadian Fingerstyle Guitar Competition!
Kevin Blake Goodwin is a hybrid electric and acoustic guitar player embracing both technical and fingerstyle progressive guitar skills. The Conway, Arkansas native won the 2015 Canadian Fingerstyle Guitar Competition, an international acoustic guitar competition held annually in Canada. In 2016, he founded FRETMONKEY, a popular international guitar community label whose mission is to create career-changing opportunities for musicians across the globe. He went on to win the 2016 (Acoustic), 2017 (Electric), and 2018 (Acoustic) Guitar Wars Competition in San Antonio (Texas), the longest-running guitar competition in America. His electric and acoustic music is a blend of jazz, metal, and rock melodies coupled with technical and percussive fingerstyle guitar techniques. He has been described as the “21st Century Guitar Man” possessing “outrageous skills.”
Holly Montgomery performed on the ADJ Arena Plaza Stage:
Holly Montgomery is an Americana artist known for her soulful voice and confessional songwriting. Her lyrics invite the audience into her world and showcase the full spectrum of the human experience. In some songs, she’s playful, witty, or wryly observational. In others, she’s raw and achingly personal, every line as intimate as a stolen kiss. Each one of Montgomery’s songs tells a universal story and extols the virtues of living an authentic life. This is music for roadhouses and rough-edged dive bars, dreamt into existence by a songwriter who’s always been happy to defy expectations…and break the rules. “I’ve always made music on my own terms,” Montgomery says. “Now that message of unapologetic authenticity has become a core theme of my songwriting. Being yourself can be messy, but it’s also empowering. People connect with that.
More than 60 pro audio sessions awaited emerging and established professionals from all aspects of production and performance, presenting myriad opportunities to grow their skills and careers in preparation for the future of all things sound. A3E: The Advanced Audio + Applications Exchange, presented a series of future-focused sessions, including “The Next Generation of Rap and Hip-Hop: Harnessing Music Technology for Empowering Creativity;” “The Future of the DAW: How AI, Blockchain and the Cloud Will Change DAWs Forever;” and “Visionary Women in Musical AI: Deep Dive Into the Future of Music;” to name a few.
Tom Sumner, President of Yamaha Corporation of America, says, “Over two years removed from NAMM 2020, The NAMM Show 2022 reminded the Yamaha team of the power of in-person events. We launched our flagship grand piano, the CFX, at the show. There is no better way for our dealers to show attendees the craftsmanship and power of this magnificent instrument than to experience it in person and hear a great pianist play it. Our Yamaha team welcomed a large number of dealers, guests, and press to our booth, who got to touch and play instruments like the new Revstar guitars. With live music back, we were happy to treat NAMM attendees to the Yamaha Night of Worship with Fred Hammond on Friday Night and an amazing All-Star Concert on the Grand with Kandace Springs, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Tank and the Bangas. The Grand Plaza was filled each night until the last note!”
The 20th Annual Parnelli Awards – Sam Berkow was the recipient this year
Women of NAMM welcomed professionals from across the industry for a happy hour at the Westin Pool Deck. The evening concluded with an announcement of the WoN Summit and scholarship opportunity, as part of donations made to celebrate the life and legacy of Diane Martin. The WoN Summit program supports women working in the music products industry and their goals to connect, support, and grow their leadership and professional abilities. An annual leadership emersion experience will be offered with the applicants receiving the educational experience covered by the awarded scholarship.
Saturday, June 4th
With the world’s experts at The NAMM Show, members had the opportunity to connect with top thought leaders in best-in-class education through more than 200 education sessions designed to engage, inform and inspire new ideas, as well as to further careers and prepare for the future against the backdrop of the industry gathering.
On Saturday, June 4, Scott Stratten, president of UnMarketing and branding and relationship expert, presented “Leadership in a Post-Pandemic World,” which explored top-line strategies to strengthen business and personal brand.
Saturday’s Yamaha All-Star Concert on the Grand featured the likes of Kandace Springs, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Tank and the Bangas.
At the TEC Awards on Saturday evening, the industry celebrated 28 categories of products and projects in the areas of Technical or Creative Achievement, and the individuals, companies and technical innovations used in sound recordings, films, broadcast television, and video games. View the complete list of winners and nominees here.
For his timeless work and artistic innovation, Peter Asher was inducted and presented with the TEC Hall of Fame award. Throughout his decades-long career in the music industry, Asher has earned the reputation of being one of the industry’s most sought-after producers and performers.
Upon receipt of the award, Asher shared, “The 21st of January, 1964 was a Tuesday, and the first time I ever went into a real recording studio. I went into EMI studios on Abbey Road… By the end of that day, a few important things had happened. I decided I wanted to be a record producer because I saw what a producer could do, in terms of shaping the sounds…So I have to thank for this award, not only the TEC Committee but NAMM as a whole. And all the brilliant people who attend NAMM, and what they give us – all the great technology, the amazing instruments, the incredible inventions which sonically flourish in the hands of brilliant engineers.”
With the induction, Asher joins luminaries Leslie Ann Jones, Rose Mann Cherney, Skunk Baxter, Hal Blaine, Jack Douglas, Nathan East, Geoff Emerick, and others, the industry’s highest honor for pioneers of audio technology and the music industry’s most accomplished producers and audio technicians.
Pioneer and bassist extraordinaire Carol Kaye was honored with this year’s Les Paul Innovation Award, one of the night’s most anticipated honors from The Les Paul Foundation. The Foundation’s Executive Director Michael Braunstein introduced the award and noted Kaye’s impact on the musical landscape, “Carol, like Les [Paul], built a legacy that will continue to encourage all people to create incredible sounds.”
Feature publications from a variety of media outlets including UpBeat Daily, PLSN, FOH, MMR, Audio Media International, Canadian Music Trades, Guitar World, LSA, The Strad, Sound on Sound were available to attendees to read.
We wondered outside for some fresh air and heard this amazing voice and great music and found ourselves in front of ADJ Arena Plaza stage and just started dancing. After the performance we headed over to find out who this fella was and the band. It was Anthony Cullins aka “The Fallbrook Kid,” a young musical prodigy whose guitar playing ability is years beyond his age. Anthony’s musical influences include R&B, funk, rock and blues, prominently displayed in his eclectic improvisational style, ranging from Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton to George Benson and Wah Wah Watson with dozens of influences in between.
He’s had the opportunity to share the stage and jam with a wide array of notable musicians including Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Greg Douglass (former guitarist with the Steve Miller Band), blues harmonica great, James Harman, guitarist Laura Chavez, (voted by Guitar Player Magazine as one of the top 50 women guitarists in the world), former Ike Turner bassist, Kevin Cooper and first call session guitarists, Gino Matteo and Stevie Salas to name a few. Above all that, his guitar prowess speaks for itself no matter who is joining him on stage as duly noted by Boogie Magazine: “Anthony has guitar skills reminiscent of young guitarists Joe Bonamassa and Jonny Lang.” This comparison came to fruition in May, 2018, when he took first place at the Dallas International Guitar Show’s “Young Guns” showcase, featuring a host of 20 year olds and under guitar slingers from around the world. “It was such an amazing experience, I enjoyed every second of this humbling moment.” His dad and manager, Kenny Cullins, couldn’t be happier: “I got teared up and was full of joy and pride as they drug Anthony away to several photo shoots, I just smiled and thought to myself how happy I am for my boy and that all of the hard work is paying off.” In addition, Anthony was recently selected as “Best Youth Original” at the 2016 Temecula Valley Music Awards and was honored to be included in Bradley Zink’s best selling Amazon book, “Band Together,” highlighting an assortment of Southern California’s youths that are the future of Music and Performing Arts, featuring Anthony and his band, The Fallbrook Vigilantes. The future is bright for this emerging talent. Anthony has two different studio albums in the works as well as a live album coming out soon.
We also spoke to Bass player Kyre Wilcox, who has a passion for music and nature and a thirst for joy. In third grade his mother bought him his first Squire P Bass and his musical exploration began. He is part of Barn Time. Barn time is a multimedia collective that believes that when creative people join forces within a culture of teamwork, playing on each others’ strengths, we can amplify each others’ messages and become a powerful, efficient force for collaboration and connection. We facilitate productive conversations about the human experience through the performing arts. We enjoy talking about everything from our local scale to the orbiting globe and beyond.
The booths we visited are as follows:
Donner Music who debuted their Yellow Fall analog delay pedal, award-winning Seeker Series DST-400 electric guitar, a new smart carbon fiber guitar and other carbon fiber instruments. There were many admires at their booth and we did not have time to talk with them, but that was a good thing!
Donner Music APP (Included) – As part of their mission to empower beginner musicians to realize their musical dreams, all new Donner instruments include the Donner Music App providing free musical courses in collaboration with the Berklee College of Music.
BenjiLock – Robbie Cabral, inventor of the innovate BenjiLock fingerprint lock technology. Whether you’re always on the go, heading to work, school or for a quick workout at the gym — we know you need your belongings to be safe and secure. Introducing BenjiLock, the world’s first traditional rechargeable padlock with fingerprint technology. Instant, easy and convenient, just with a touch, you’re able to unlock. BenjiLock is all of that and more. It’s your go-to padlock to fit your lifestyle.
The Hollywood Times spoke with Robbie about this products:
His company offers the compact BenjiLock TSA Travel Lock for smaller items that travel directly with you and are needed on-the-go, like luggage and backpacks carrying mics, headphones, guitar gear, photo gear, accessories and clothing. What a great invention.
The 43mm Fingerprint Padlock for heavier use – think Pelican and Godox cases, bands that use vans on the road, lockers, storage units and shed, etc. I will be doing a follow up review article about these products soon.
The Fingerprint Door Lock to protect recording and rehearsal studios, ideal for securing an entrance or shared interior space with a deadbolt solution.
Casio – Here at Casio’s booth was a full portfolio of digital keyboards and pianos, including the new PRIVIA digital pianos and the NEW Casio CT-S1000V. WOW! What an amazing keyboard system. I know this product will surely be making its way into million of homes around the world and I also know one will end up at my home too!
Here is the interview with Casio:
A Vocalist You Can Play, an Instrument That Changes the Concept of Playing A vocalist that sings at the touch of a key . . . The CT-S1000V is an instrument that redefines the concept of a keyboard and how it’s played. At its core is Casio’s new Vocal Synthesis technology, which lets you go beyond conventional playing, opening up new creative possibilities and freedom of musical expression. Capture that moment of inspiration in real time, and enjoy a unique musical experience.
Another cool keyboard was the Casiotone.
Casiotone meets Romero Britto: A collaboration that embodies the joy of creating music with Romero’s distinctive art of happiness and hope. Accessible to anyone, loved by everyone.
The artwork created for the Casiotone came from the inspiration on music. Every time I am listening to this music, make me feel energized, make me feel happy, make me feel to create even more artwork.” – Romero Britto
Born in 1963, Romero Britto is today one of the most celebrated living visual artists and founder of The Happy Art Movement. Rising to global prominence following the selection of his 1989 work “Absolut Art,” he has since been the official artist for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. His work has been exhibited at galleries, museums and public art spaces in over 120 countries, including the Louvre in Paris and Hyde Park in London. Through his use of vibrant colors and bold patterns he expresses hope and happiness—his unique style is instantly recognizable, and he has even been described as a modern-day Picasso.
It is really a neat looking keyboard. It was the first time I ever picked one up and thank goodness it had a strap. Check out the website to read all about this extraordinary keyboard.
https://www.casio.com/us/electronic-musical-instruments/casiotone/cts1fh/
Ciari Guitars – Nashville-crafted guitars with innovative folding technology. Unfold the potential.
Jonathan D. Spangler, CEO & Founder of Ciari Guitars demonstrated how the guitar folds and how to place the neck in the upright position. Of course, while recording this there was a group of folks playing instruments and singing, but that’s cool, it’s NAMM after all. Enjoy it.
Launch of Latest Innovations at The NAMM Show 2022: Ascender Standard™ Folding Electric Guitar and Music Oasis™ In-Airport Guitar Lounge.
This unique professional looking guitar sure got my attention on Media Preview Day and I was exciting to see their booth and how the folding guitar would be showcased. Well I was not disappointed. WOW. The Music Oasis™ was so beautifully displayed and the Ascender Standard™ Folding Guitar in the glass case up on top was awesome. Here is a couple of photos:
We saw this gentleman with this amazing looking camera and we had to go over and talk with him. It was one of the greatest conversations ever. We have made a friend for life. His name is Samuel Cross owner of Musicross Productions LLC, formed in Texas and he now lives in Las Vegas. He built this camera set-up himself, as he is an engineer, as well as a musician. He had just finished filming one of the panels. Here are some photos of Samuel and his camera.
Sunday, June 5th
Sunday, June 5, “Best in Show” welcomed a panel of retail gear experts to recognize their picks of the innovative products, services and technologies found across the show floor. View the Best in Show results here: https://www.namm.org/
Today we got to just walk the whole Hall C exhibit and look at all the guitars, since out photographer Kevin Goetz plays the bass, so it was fun to check out different electric guitars and basses.
We did run into Taj Farrant, who is an Australian guitarist often called a prodigy. He has appeared on Australia’s Got Talent and on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
After getting his start on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Australia’s Got Talent, the diminutive guitarist began to garner worldwide attention.
Farrant has generated many views on his YouTube channel. His cover of the song “Tennessee Whiskey” has 4.6 million views.
In 2019 he signed with Dorsey Productions worldwide. At the House of Blues event in Las Vegas in 2020, he was invited on stage by Carlos Santana for a jam session. A video of the session, posted to Farrant’s YouTube channel, currently has garnered over 1.2 million views (As of 1 March 2021). (Wikipedia)
He if definitely a gifted electric guitar player and it was awesome to hear him live just jamming away. He sure makes playing the guitar look easy. I had an opportunity to meet his mother and hopefully have a Zoom interview with Taj soon.
We also got to see the United States Air Force Band of the West perform and they sure had a crowd who were really enjoying their sound. They also had signups for auditions and careers for Instrumentalists, Vocalist, Audio Technicians, Arrangers and Conductors. Check out their website at www.bands.af.mil/careers
We went over to visit the Franklin Strap booth, which is soft guitar straps. They offer Premium, Economy, Original Leather, Standard, Bass and Bluegrass Guitar Straps. They also sell the Glider Capo, the rolling capo. Their newest straps are made from Bison. The Franklin brand is found under the company of Tonal Music Inc. www.TonalMusicInc.com
Here is our interview with Charlton Moore owner of Franklin Strap and our interview about the Glider Rolling Capo:
Next we visited G7th The Capo Company, performance 3 Guitar Capo. They had several capos to choose from and their newest model Performance 3 Capo with Adaptive Radius Technology, “ART” (Patent Pending). Revolutionary new active string pad infinitely adapts to match any guitar perfectly. The mechanism delivers unrivalled tuning stability by applying even pressure across all the strings. We spoke with Noel Sheehan, owner who is from England. He demonstrated this capo for us. The Hollywood Times will be featuring a review piece and interview to follow.
Here is our interview:
Photos of guitars from Spain and Canada (The Hollywood Times):
On our way out we stopped by the Yamaha stage to watch the band that was playing called Daring Greatly Band. They sounded great, awesome sound with keyboard, electric guitars, bass and drums. ABOUT THE BAND: The five-piece is well renowned for their captivating blood harmonies provided by two brothers, Patrick [27 y/o acoustic guitar, vocals] and Liam Croome [25 y/o vocals, Nord organ & piano]. With their high-energy live concerts and one-of-a-kind recordings, their dynamic songwriting abilities, further accentuated by their drummer and best friend since 2012, Brayden Tario [28 y/o drums, percussion, vocals]. The band has recently welcomed electric guitar layer, David Mills [31 y/o] from Lake Elsinore, CA, and bass player, Matt Spatol [29 y/o] form Milwaukee, WI. Since 2014, the band paved their own path with hours of experience performing over 1,000 shows across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The band continues to break norms, push limits, and uplift as they have been steadily growing a stunning catalog of soul-full original songs having independently released four full-length albums, ‘Cornerstones’ (2016) and ‘Works of Art’ (2017), ‘Give Myself to the World’ (2021), and ‘Gird Valley’ (2022). Courage, vulnerability, and personal freedom are at the forefront of the bands’ core values to lead a life that serves a purpose greater than ones-self.
What a way to end our coverage of The NAMM 2022 Show.
Hats off to NAMM for putting together a great live event at the Anaheim Convention Center. We enjoyed ourselves and look forward to next year’s even bigger show.
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