NAMM Archives - Nashville Music Line

NAMM Oral History Program posts 5,000th interview

Kevin McGinty, Opry audio engineer, shares wit and wisdom

By Preshias Harris

It seems hard to believe, but NAMM has been around for more than a hundred and twenty years. The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) was founded in 1901 with a mission to strengthen the music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music.

Since those early days, NAMM has achieved national (and now international) acclaim, not only for the stunning annual music industry trade shows, but increasingly for the development of relevant educational programs for NAMM members. NAMM also focuses on promoting music education as a right for all children in the face of cutbacks at school districts nationwide.

2000 saw the launch of the NAMM Oral History Program with the stated goal of preserving the rich history of the music industry through first-person accounts of the people with the hands-on experience in music product creation, pro audio, live sound, entertainment technology, recording artists and more.

The NAMM Oral History Program recently celebrated an amazing milestone: their 5,000^th interview. Think about that: it’s an achievement that would be the envy of any television network, but as a project produced with the sole focus on the music industry, it’s even more remarkable.

*Grand Ole Opry audio engineer Kevin McGinty*

In this special 5,000^th edition, the program features Kevin McGinty, famed audio engineer, and Front of House for the Grand Ole Opry that presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville.

Summer NAMM 19 rocked Nashville

An in-depth immersion in the music industry

By Preshias Harris

L to R: Jess Farmer, Heidi Newfield, Mikayla Lane. Jess and Mikayla were excited to know that she has a new album fixing to drop in just a few short weeks. Photo: Preshias Harris

Summer NAMM 2019 is now one for the history books, but once again, it was a three-day ‘Musical Mecca’ for anyone whose life revolves around the world of music.

I was there for all three days at Nashville’s Music City Center. Although I have attended Summer NAMM many times (and occasionally the even larger ‘winter’ NAMM in Anaheim, California) it was a joy to experience the excitement through the eyes and ears of the emerging singers and songwriters who accompanied me to this year’s event.

The Make Music Experience

NAMM is a trade-only business show catering to domestic and international dealers and distributors. However, for the second year running, Saturday was designated the ‘Make Music Experience,’ an all-day, all-access event for music enthusiasts to demo the latest music and pro audio gear from top manufacturers.

Once again, the Make Music Experience was a ‘Who’s Who’ of Nashville’s musical talent with well-known recording artists and musicians mingling with the non-pro visitors who were able to get a taste of what the music industry is all about.

Lee Roy Parnell at the Gibson booth. Photo: Catrina Engelby

Continue reading “Summer NAMM 19 rocked Nashville”

Our Summer NAMM top picks

Four great music finds you should check out

Oz Guitar Works Tau-6 headless guitar
ZT ‘Lunchbox’ Amplifiers
OZZtosh gleaming aluminum guitars
WalkaBout drums: replace your cajon?

A musician at a NAMM show is like a kid turned loose for a day in a candy store. Wherever you look, there’s something that makes your mouth water. That’s true if you are a seasoned visitor or a first-time newbie.

Now the dust has settled on Summer NAMM 2018, presented by the National Association of Music Merchants, we can look back at some of the ideas and products that really stood out. NAMM’s ‘Make Music Experience’ sets aside a day each year for ‘prosumers’ to get an all-day, all access pass at a very affordable price. (See previous posts here at NashvilleMusicLine.com.)

Through the eyes and ears of a newbie

I returned this year (my 28th NAMM) for the full three-day show. But on the final day, the ‘Make Music Experience’ day, I brought along Storm, a NAMM newbie, to experience the vibe through her eyes and ears. Storm is an up-and-coming alternative songwriter, artist and musician. Here are some of the outstanding products we were able to try out.

Let’s start with Storm’s report, in her own words, about two items that caught her attention…

“I can hardly believe when I got the opportunity to attend Summer NAMM, I was so excited,” said Storm. “As an artist walking down the rows of guitars and other gear, I felt like a kid in a candy store. NAMM did not disappoint. There were so many amazing booths, but in particular a couple of products stood out to me.”

Oz Guitar Works Tau-6 headless guitar

Storm tries out the Oz Tau-6 headless guitar

The first was Oz Guitar Works Tau-6 headless guitar. The Tau-6 is a compact, yet sturdy, headless guitar that is, as a NAMM goer said, “effortless” to play. It features a wood neck and aluminum body, modular removeable pick-ups, steel nuts, dual stereo jack outputs, and a clean sheet design. William ‘Oz’ Anderson was a very chill dude and took the time to answer questions and show his guitars.

When I asked Oz about his inspiration for the Tau-6 he replied, “I wanted to make a guitar that sounded and played better but took a minimalistic view. Keep the essential, chop the rest.” Making this guitar did not come without it’s challenges. Oz states that some of his biggest challenges were making the aluminum body affordable and making the petite body attractive. Continue reading “Our Summer NAMM top picks”

Music Row One Sheet Early July 2018

Nashville Music News Roundup

Scroll down to read these Music Row One Sheet news items

Larry Gatlin wants his stolen GRAMMY® back
Do you have unclaimed royalties out there?
Summer NAMM attendance up 5%
US/UK country pop duo take the ‘Top Down’
Garth’s ‘All Day Long’ most-added at Country Radio

Scroll down to read these Music Row One Sheet news items

Larry Gatlin wants his stolen GRAMMY® back

Have you seen Larry Gatlin’s GRAMMY®? If you know where it is, Larry wants to talk to you. In 1977, Larry Gatlin, eldest of the Gatlin Brothers, took home a GRAMMY® Award for ‘Best Country Song’ thanks to his self-penned classic hit, ‘Broken Lady.’

In an exclusive interview with The Tennessean, Gatlin reveals his prized award was actually stolen from the Gatlin Bros. Music City restaurant in the Mall of America in the 1990s. Now, two decades later, he’s on a mission to get it back. The country legend is promising a monetary reward for the safe return of his golden gramophone, and he won’t notify authorities.

“I’ll give you a written statement that I won’t prosecute you,” Gatlin tells The Tennessean’s Cindy Watts. “You can just say you bought it at a pawn shop.” The possessor of Gatlin’s gold can email assistant@absolutepublicity.com to make arrangements to return the trophy and receive the reward.

Do you have unclaimed royalties out there?

If your recordings are out there on any of the digital platforms, it’s possible (it’s likely!) that you are owed money. Okay, it’s probably not a LOT of money, but it is legally yours and you should be able to claim it.

You might want to check out SoundExchange that collects and distributes digital performance royalties on behalf of rights owners and licensees. So far, SoundExchange has paid out about $5 billion in royalties from recordings played on digital radio including Pandora’s free tier and SiriusXM. Continue reading “Music Row One Sheet Early July 2018”

‘Make Music Experience’ set for June 30

Summer NAMM’s special day for music ‘prosumers’

It’s almost time for the once-a-year opportunity for everyone who can’t wait to get their hands (and ears) on the latest musical instruments, tech gear and accessories. The 2018 Summer NAMM Show will be in town and has a special day on the program just for you.

On Saturday, June 30, Summer NAMM will host the ‘Make Music Experience’ at Nashville’s Music City Center. It’s an all-day, all-access pass for the prosumer audience to trial the latest music and pro audio gear from top manufacturers. (Scroll down to order tickets online and save 50% off the ‘at-the-door’ price.)

You can participate in career-enhancing educational sessions, demo products and enjoy fun, interactive events and performances. You can also enjoy live music with Lillie Mae, MONA and the Delta Saints on the outdoor stage.

‘Open Mic’ at Martin Guitar booth

If you are a ukulele or guitar player (and you need a cool new tee shirt) here’s an exciting opportunity for you. On this day, Martin Guitar invites guitar and uke players of all levels to perform at Summer NAMM at the Martin Guitar and Strings Open Mic event. Attendees will be able to sign-up to perform a song during the Martin Open Mic at the convention center and everyone who plays will receive a Martin T-shirt, a set of Martin strings, and be entered to win a Martin Guitar. Martin Guitar is at booth #801.

Fender: ‘start playing in minutes’

Looking to improve your playing? Fender Play is the easiest way to learn guitar and ukulele, featuring your favorite music and the techniques you need to start playing in minutes. Watch hundreds of high-quality video lessons to master new skills. Plus join an exclusive community of like-minded players and professional instructors. Learn more here – and start a free trial. Visit Fender at the main Fender booth #943 or in the breezeway off 8th Ave.

During the ‘Make Music Experience,’ you can also attend a variety networking events, receptions and educational events. Topics include Songwriting, Recording, Marketing and PR, Licensing, Live Sound, House of Worship and Software Development.

You can save 50% off the cost of the ‘Make Music Experience’ ticket price. Buy tickets for only $10.00 online here or pay $20.00 at the door. Either way, it’s a bargain for anyone with a serious interest in music.

NAMM is the National Association of Music Merchants. More info at the NAMM Make Music Experience website.

Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com

Finding ‘lost’ online music income

Music news digest for May 7 -11

CMG finds ‘lost’ online revenue for musicians
Amazon Prime bumps up annual rates to $119.00
MusicBiz 2018 hits Nashville, May 14 – 17
NAMM’s ‘Make Music Experience,’ June 30
Vinyl album sales on the rise – again

Scroll down to read these news items

CMG finds ‘lost’ online revenue for musicians

If you are a recording artist or songwriter and you believe that your precious copyrighted intellectual property – e.g. your songs – are being utilized illegally online, you might want to know about a company called Create Music Group (CMG). The company started out tracking down and collecting revenues from music posted at YouTube and continues to do that successfully.

They have also expanded to locate other overlooked opportunities in the music business such as mixtape monetization and are moving into creating original video content. According to an interview in Billboard (04/21/2018) CMG uses software to identify clips that have used music without permission. They can then claim the client’s ownership and monetize views with advertising. Their patented software can detect parts of unlicensed songs that have been minimally sped up or slowed down to escape YouTube’s own internal rights-tracking system. Find info on CMG here.

Amazon Prime bumps up annual rates to $119.00

If you are an Amazon Prime member, stand by for a rate hike. Membership increases to $119.00 annually for new subscribers; existing subscribers will be notified of the increase when their membership is due for renewal after June 16. Amazon does not anticipate a drop in membership as a result of the increase. Purchases by non-Prime members actually decreased year-over-year while Prime purchases increased. Amazon is investing more in digital video and music available only to Prime members with 2018 spending estimated at $5 billion. See more at Variety here.

MusicBiz 2018 hits Nashville, May 14 – 17

MusicBiz 2018 is only days away and 2,000+ attendees are expected to be here in Nashville for what organizers call ‘the four most important days on the music industry calendar.’ Scheduled for May 14 – 17, 2018, the seminar will cover topics such as Career Development Workshops, Entertainment Technology & Law, Indie Artist and Songwriter Forum, Music Business Educators Meetup, Music and Money, and more. Presenters will include some of the most respected and successful people in the music industry. If you’re interested in attending (I’ll be there!) you’d better hurry! Find out more or register to attend here.

NAMM’s ‘Make Music Experience,’ June 30

…and hot on the heels of MusicBiz 2018, It will be time for the National Association of Music Merchants’ Summer NAMM in Nashville. On Saturday June 30 at Music City Center, Summer NAMM will host the inaugural Make Music Experience, an all-day, all-access pass for consumer and prosumer audiences who want to demo the latest music and pro audio gear, meet with top music manufacturers, and explore career-enhancing education and networking opportunities with the music industry’s top insiders.

The Make Music Experience day is an invitation to musicians, songwriters, music educators and students, as well as sound and studio professionals to experience the members-only Summer NAMM show, the annual mid-year gathering of the music products and pro audio industry, June 28-30 in Nashville. NAMM will open the doors to the trade-only event for MME’s full itinerary of professional workshops, opportunities to see and demo the latest in new gear from leading music brands, and a day full of live performances and events connecting music-makers of all skill levels.

Tickets to the Make Music Experience are now available for $10 online at www.namm.org/mme and will be available at the door for $20 on Saturday, June 30. Hours are 10AM to 5PM. Info and updates here.

Vinyl album sales on the rise – again

The vinyl sector of the music business continues to spin upwards. In 2017, vinyl album sales rose 9 percent to 14.3 million units in the USA. This was the twelfth straight year that album sales increased and the 2017 increase was the greatest since Nielsen Music began tracking album sales data. Understandably, growing interest in vinyl has resulted in increased sales of turntables. But demand has also meant more business for record pressing plants, including Jack White’s Third Man Records vinyl pressing facility in Detroit. Many more current artists are now releasing vinyl versions of new albums. More details plus a list of the top selling vinyl albums in 2017, courtesy of Billboard, here.

Preshias Harrisis a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com

It’s NAMM Show time again!

Music Industry Day will be open to the public

The 2017 NAMM Show is heading back to Nashville’s Music City Center, July 13-15, and is set to welcome a variety of music legends including Charley Pride. As always, it will be a ‘must’ event for members of Nashville’s music community.

The National Association of Music Merchants Inc (NAMM) will be showcasing a complete product landscape while celebrating the local community music store and honoring the industry’s Top 100 Dealers. The annual summer gathering of the music product, pro audio and entertainment tech community brings together top brands, professional development sessions and an opportunity to network with peers, with Music City as the backdrop.

Charley Pride set for July 7

This year’s show will feature a special performance from country music pioneer and multi-Grammy® award winner, Charley Pride, who will release his new album, “Music in My Heart” on July 7. Pride continues to perform concerts worldwide and will perform on Saturday, July 15 at 1:00 p.m. on the NAMM Reverb Stage on the Terrace as part of the show’s Music Industry Day.

Attendance at NAMM trade shows is restricted to owners, suppliers, employees, endorsed artists and guests of NAMM member companies. However, on the final day, July 15, NAMM is open to the public and welcomes and invites musicians, songwriters, sound and recording professionals, music educators and students to experience Music Industry Day. There will be a chance to attend workshops, check out the new gear and enjoy artist performances.

Music Industry Day offered a once-a-year opportunity to demo new music instruments and products, attend workshops, enjoy live performances, and network with industry leaders at Summer NAMM, an exclusive, trade-only event. You may pick up your Summer NAMM Music Industry Day passes at Badge Will Call beginning at 9 am on Saturday, July 15. Passes are $10 in advance; $20 on the day of the event. All sales are final. To purchase tickets and to read details about NAMM’s Music Industry Day, click here.

Music Career Workshops at NAMM Show

In addition to musical instrument and product demos from more than 1,600 music product brands, Music Industry Day features workshops designed to bolster careers in music. Learn more here … But wait, there’s more! The 34th Annual American Eagle Awards, presented by the National Music Council, brought major star power to NAMM’s Music Industry Day. The awards honor individuals and institutions that have made comprehensive contributions to musical life in America. More about the National Music Council here.

The 2nd annual Grand Rally for Music Education at the 2017 NAMM Show

finds its ‘true north’ in support of music education in schools

The Grand Rally for Music Education on Saturday, January 21, at The 2017 NAMM Show brought artists full circle. The NAMM Foundation’s annual salute to music education welcomed NAMM Members, music educators, college music students and faculty to join together in celebration of the benefits of music education.

The Perfect Fourth Quartet, a program of the Sphinx Organization, opened the Grand Rally, and was welcomed with an enthusiastic standing ovation. Last year, the quartet was a recipient of the 2016 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award and was honored by former First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House.

The crowd applauded as Turnaround Artists Keb’ Mo’ and Bernie Williams took to the stage, to be interviewed by NAMM Foundation executive director, Mary Luehrsen.

It’s all about timing”

“I started my connections through life through music. I learned about math through music, discipline through music, and timing through music,” said Williams. “To be able to hit a baseball, it’s all about timing.” Continue reading “The 2nd annual Grand Rally for Music Education at the 2017 NAMM Show”