The NAMM Show 2024 Part 1 of 2: Gear, Artists & Awards
The National Association of Music Merchants held their annual NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center on January 24 – 28. It featured over 3,000 brands, 500 events, 200 performances, over 200 educational tracks, with members from 101 countries. It was indeed booth intensive, with brands stacked together on the floor.
Here is part 1of my top notes: gear, artists and awards.
John Mlynczak was appointed President and CEO of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) in 2023. This is his first NAMM show as President, “It is truly an honor to serve you as NAMM’s new president and CEO, and I want to personally thank you for being here at the world’s largest global gathering of the music industry. Today, we begin our next chapter as we embark on the future of our industry.”
Seymour Duncan (Goleta, CA) honored Maricela “MJ” Juarez, manager of the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop who is celebrating her 40th anniversary working for Seymour Duncan. She has built pickups for many of the biggest names in guitar. (See my BTS video clip with Juarez on the MJ website!)
Jim Garza (Solvang) VP Sales for Orange Amplifiersconfirmed via phone interview that Orianthi will have a signature amp coming out, date TBA.
Doug Aldrich (Dead Daisies) promoted the HT Stage MK III amp for Blackstar Amplification UK. Aldrich’s wife, Daniela, does business in sustainable farming, herbs, and flowers in SYV area.
Los Angeles-based DJ Rouecheof VALA Entertainmentwas spinning amazing upbeat tunes at the STOKYO USA Technics booth. He is the official DJ for the Los Angeles Lakers, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, and U.S. Olympics DJ (2016 and 2020). His company, VALA Entertainment, provides event DJs.
DJ Case Ace demoed Pioneer DJ’s newly released, fully all-in-one portable system – the OMNIS-DUO – that is out February. Details in video at the MJ online.
Guitar virtuoso Dweezil Zappa (Zappa Plays Zappa) showed his techniques on guitar at the Shabat Guitars booth and his Optima Maxiflex 24K gold-plated guitar strings – “Like my dad used to use for a better sound.” Shabat Guitars is a family-owned, boutique, custom-made electric guitar and bass company.
Cream Guitars(Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico)had the most talked about booth and guitars at NAMM. They added aesthetics like naturally pressed flowers, mosaics and a color changing guitar. They have copyrights for body shapes and headstocks in America, Europe, and Asia and applied for three patents of their designs. Body styles and headstocks are registered as industrial designs and are protected as sculptures and NFTs.
Yamaha Musical Instruments held court on the entire third floor of the convention center. They had Prince’s customized purple piano (of the Piano & a Microphone Tour) from Paisley Park. Matteo Mancuso performed on guitar at their booth stage with Take Six, Lindsey Stirling, and Jon McLaughlin & Friendsperforming on the Yamaha Grand Stage. Too much new gear to list, check their website.
Jeff Carbone of Mogami Cables talked with me about their new stereo guitar cable, details in video on MJ online.
Ellefson Coffee Co. boothhosted a wellness clinic for players by bassist David Ellefson and Dr. Randall Kertz. Tips included proper body alignment while playing, hand and finger exercises, and an ergonomic adjustable bass-guitar strap.
Xvive’s Boothhad Phil X (Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne, Chris Cornell) and Wrecking Crew keyboardist Don Randi.
EBS Professional Bass Guitars booth hosted Swedish Los Angeles musicians Bjorn Englen (Dio Returns/Soul Sign) and Mårten Andersson (Lita Ford), withTestament’s Steve DiGiorgio.
Peavey Electronics Corporation-endorsed artist Adrian Vandenberg (Whitesnake, Vandenberg, Moon Kings) promoted the reissue of his Adrian Vandenberg Signature Guitar from Peavey, a new album, and 2024 US tour.
The Boutique Guitar Showcase, curated by Jamie Gale, leading brands were Kauer Guitars USA, Strandberg Guitars Sweden, and OD Guitars Israel.
Tim Carroll, Focusrite Group CEO, is the new President of the MIDI Association. Focusrite Group’s family of brands includes the iconic synthesizer brands Sequential and Oberheim, as well as MIDI controller and synth company, Novation.
Gibson Brands, Inc., confirmed Luke Ericson to the role of permanent Chief Operating Officer (COO), reporting to Cesar Gueikian, President & CEO of Gibson Brands.
39th Annual NAMM TEC Awardshonors individuals who set the highest standards of excellence in the creative application of recording technology. Hosted by Jon Batiste, the TEC Innovation Award went to Wu-Tang Clan producer and mastermind RZA (Robert Diggs). Brand winners include Apple, Universal Audio, Shure Inc. Sony Electronics, Neumann, and Sennheiser. Full list on the TEC website.
NAMM’s highest honor, theMusic for Life Awardwent to producer, songwriter and DJ Mark Ronson for his contributions to music and commitment to inspiring music makers. Ronson talked about his early musical influences and views on the rise of AI in music creation. His work includes the soundtrack of Barbie, and co-writing “Uptown Funk” featuring Bruno Mars, which was on the Billboard chart for 14 consecutive weeks.
The 22nd Annual Parnelli Award winners are: Lifetime Achievement Award, Jim Brammer; Visionary Award, Carol Dodds; Audio Innovator Award, Buford Jones; NextGEN Award, Sam Boone; and Video Director of the Year, Stefaan De Smedt for U2 at the Sphere. Award categories are Visual, Sound, Video, Production Services, Production Personnel, and Transport/Logistics. Full list on the Parnelli website.
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