been there and dreamed that dream...

NAMM 2016 Highlights

(From Wikipedia) "The NAMM Show is the world's largest trade-only event for the music products industry.^[2] It is held every January in Anaheim, California, US at the Anaheim Convention Center, and is one of the two largest music product trade shows in the world... The event attracts numerous famous musicians, many of whom are endorsed by exhibitors and come to promote their own signature models and equipment. NAMM is a trade-only business show catering to domestic and international dealers and distributors. The product exhibits are an integral part of the show, allowing the dealers and distributors to see what's new, negotiate deals and plan their purchasing for the next 6 to 12 months. Only employees and guests of the exhibiting manufacturers and/or NAMM member retailers and distributors are allowed to attend, along with credentialed members of the press."

While many musicians, amateurs, semi-pro's, pro's, educators, all sorts of wannabees and hangers-on, have heard of NAMM and would LOVE to attend, it's not for the general public, even if they are willing to pay for an entrance pass. BUT, there are so many videos posted on the NAMM theme that one can get something of an idea of what the show is and what goes on there. And, DAMN, I wish I could go, if only just once!

The videos that YouTube offers viewers are candid, off the cuff and in the moment little vignettes, although they feature big time products from big time manufacturers like, Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, PRS, etc. etc. etc. and the folks that these product lines and the promise of something truly new from them draw. And this often includes music stars and the those who work closely with them. But it also includes just plain music gear lovin' folks and if you're not familiar with this sort of guitar nerd-geek, well check out some of the non-star centered videos and meet some.


This video shows the sort of loveable, has visions of futuristic solid body electric guitars dancing through his dreams guy (there are mostly young men and aging men who retain this secret love as their tip of the hat to staying young).




This second video shows some very candid footage of "The Captain" a YouTube guitar video superstar I (think I) recognize from  many Andertons Music (UK vender) videos. Here we see him inspecting(?), reviewing(?)  a couple of the sort of wonderfully ridiculous new guitar models that in so many ways make electric guitars the stuff of wet dreams for the world's young men. I know  - I've been there and dreamed that dream...