News from NAMM, Jan 26, 2013: Acoustic Americana Music Guide

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This is the “NEWS & REVIEWS” edition, one of THREE editions in our new format…
• NEWS & REVIEWS, a new and comprehensive fresh edition (right here!)
• MUSIC-ON-TV, the Guide’s bigger-than-anybody-else’s calendar (at a separate click.*)
• LIVE EVENTS, concerts, club gigs, workshops for artists, and more (at a separate click.*)
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* - available just below or in sidebar at left, depending on where you are reading this…
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NAMM SHOW REACHES HALFWAY MARK, HEADS INTO STRONG WEEKEND
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by Larry Wines, Nowell Siegel, and Annette Siegel
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With the weekend here, the January 24-through-27 “NAMM SHOW” 2013 has taken-over the Anaheim Convention Center and all the surrounding hotels’ meeting and convention spaces. As the third day got underway, 96,000+ registrants have learned the layout and addresses of booths and exhibits, and most can now navigate like residents through friends’ neighborhoods. Indeed, NAMM feels like an instant city, the Mall of America converted to all-things music. People recognize each other and block migration along wide aisles to catch-up with old friends or side players from that gig in Philly.
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NAMM is the industry’s annual five-hundred-pound-gorilla event. It generates $91.5 million in economic impact, with1,500 exhibiting companies representing 5,000 brands. Four hundred ninety-two are from 90+ foreign nations. All collaborate for four solid days of live music and events that keep the fun in the business of music while debuting innovations and new products. Things range from the techogeeky to the merchants of the best wood for traditional instrument-making, It’s a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds and tactile exploration of touchy-feely with deep lacquer finishes and cold steel and plastic contraptions that generate sounds that are arguably musical. From the simple to the sublime, from the highest of high tech to the “I-should’ve-thought-of-that!” improvement, it’s all here.
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Plenty is at stake. Global sales of music and sound products produce $16.3 billion annually, and that’s up 3% in a year. US sales alone represented $6.63 billion of that total in 2011 (2012’s numbers come out in April).
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For three weeks, the Guide’s email has overflowed with dozens of invitations for interviews, product demonstrations, esoteric information, and news of performances during the show. They come from the biggest names in instruments, mics, mixers, lights, and everything else – and from some of the small names whose innovations just might make the biggest impact on how we will record, and the future of sound reinforcement when we perform live.
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The National Association of Music Manufacturers – NAMM – produces the event as the largest trade show in the music industry. But to call it just a “trade show” misses its additional aspects, including live performances by endorsed artists, impromptu jams by Gold and Platinum record artists, fun educational outreach programs for music educators, synergistic networking that produces exciting collaborations on the stage and in the studio, and countless discoveries that fuel creativity that lets you ride the crest of its wave for months.
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It’s difficult to impart a sense of just how big this thing is, and how it grows each year, regardless of how the economy slumps, coughs, surges or hiccups. This year, there are 289 new exhibitors representing 700 brands, all vying for attention with the established names.
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It easily requires the entire four days for a basic walk-through with time to carefully examine and demo a dozen or so instruments or devices each day. By 6 pm when the exhibit halls close, wandering attendees wonder where the time went when there’s still so much to see, and product experts need to nurse their throats to answer all the questions again the next day. In the world of NAMM, you’re confronted with a staggering number of product display booths, many organized into neighborhoods of keyboards here, drums there – and everywhere, the architecture of some of the display “booths” are works of art in themselves. Some have a second-storey suite of offices or soundproof practice rooms, or giant murals, or fake dormer windows on shake-shingle rooks and “brick” or clapboard sidings.
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Everywhere, live performances proliferate. Amidst the dazzle of instruments and products, there are celebrity musician appearances, artist signings and performances by endorsed artists hosted by NAMM members in boots or on stages. NAMM itself scheduled 10 stages with 150 live music acts, award shows, teen band competitions, hands-on music making, and more.
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As in past years, a number of live performances ARE ACCESSIBLE to the general public. Rain on Thursday and Friday limited the use of a big outdoor stage in the plaza between the Marriott and Hilton, in front of the Convention Center, but it’s hoppin’ today and Sunday. In addition, the public can catch shows in all the surrounding hotels and even at Downtown Disney, across the street and into the Disney maze.
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Saturday at 2 pm, western music great DON EDWARDS plays the plaza stage, accessible to everyone. This morning brought a thrilling performance by MARIACHI SOL DE MEXICO in the NAMM Foundation Lounge, packed with music educators. Last night, the KRUGER BROTHERS brought their splendid bluegrass-and-beyond to a hotel bar.
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Tonight, the hot tickets are for MURIEL ANDERSON’s annual “ALL-STAR GUITAR NIGHT” in the Marriott Ballroom, and a limited number of tickets are for sale to the public. Along with guitar great Muriel, the lineup includes ROBBEN FORD, TOOTS HIBBERT, STANLEY JORDAN, IAN ETHAN CASE (who entertained Saturday morning’s Breakfast Session on his double-neck acoustic six-and-twelve string guitar), TIERRA NEGRA, MASSIMO VARINI, PHIL X, JAMES HILL, BAKITI KUMALO, GIL PARIS, JUDE GOLD, and STU HAMM. It’s always divided into two parts, half acoustic, half electric.
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Last night's concert was another annual highlight. It brought a much-anticipated return of western music trio NEW WEST, with an opening set by the TORA BORA BOYS and the headliner, the JOHN JORGENSON QUINTET. "Wows," all around. The TORA BORA BOYS are a bluegrass band comprised of sales staff and execs from Saga Instruments and Shub Capo. Catch some videos of them at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ys5CehqUQE.
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Entry to the NAMM show itself does require a badge and matching i.d.; these are issued only to people with industry connections, and if you haven’t made arrangements, it’s too late. But, before the wind leaves your sails, the story does not end in Anaheim. Many of the artists who attend are performing all over Southern California in formal and impromptu venues during the coming week. If you are attending NAMM, it’s easier to get the scoop on all that from the inside.
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IF YOU DECIDE TO COME FOR THE FREE PUBLIC PERFORMANCES, don’t even think of trying to park at the Convention Center. The lots will stay full, with badged attendees. You can park in on eof the hotel lots or Disney lots. Be prepared to pay $15 or more for that.
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And, of course, the main reason why things at NAMM reach far beyond the annual show and conference? Your local music store will soon have new things large and small to show you, including new signature models and other instruments, recording and performing audio hardware and software, and much more to tempt you. Whether or not you are attending, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate the NAMM show. The Acoustic Americana Music Guide will continue to bring you daily reports from NAMM. Watch for them!
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Meanwhile, the NAMM website offers plenty of information and resources, at www.namm.org
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This is one of the parallel editions of the Acoustic Americana Music Guide. All current and archived editions, including live music event and news feature and review editions, are available at the following websites:
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Direct-to-the-current-editions /
MOBILE-DEVICE-FRIENDLY editions load quickly at
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www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com .
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FULL WEB EDITIONS with additional features are at
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www.acousticmusic.net .
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CONTACT US / Questions / Comments / SUBSCRIBE to our notices, etc., all at
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tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com
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Contents copyright © 2013,
Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks.
All rights reserved.
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Check OFTEN for updates to the EVENTS editions; we’re always adding more! The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. We’re on it.
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