Wednesday, January 03, 2018

Winter NAMM Show News: OK Go, Yamaha All-Star Concert, Andy Grammer, B-52s Members Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, Melissa Etheridge

With The NAMM Show is only three weeks away, there are exciting announcements about the upcoming event being released...


OK Go, The Yamaha All-Star Concert on the Grand 2018 and Andy Grammer Set to Perform at The NAMM Show

OK Go / Photo credit: Makoto Kubota
CARLSBAD, Calif. – January 3, 2018 – With only 22 days until the start of The 2018 NAMM Show, The NAMM Campus is set to come alive with a variety of Bands@NAMM performers, and at night, talent that includes groundbreaking multimedia artists, legendary performers and a multi-platinum pop singer-songwriter, all performing on The NAMM Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage.

On Thursday, The NAMM Foundation Celebration of Music Education will celebrate the advocacy and dedication of NAMM members with a performance from indie/pop rockers, OK Go. Members Damian Kulash (vocals/video director), Tim Nordwind (bass), Dan Konopa (percussion) and Andy Ross (guitar) have built a unique career at the intersection of music, visual art, technology and science. The band has emerging at the forefront of a class of artists whose 21st-century brand of experimental creativity dissolves the traditional boundaries between disciplines, garnering them millions of fans along the way. Videos like 2007’s GRAMMY®-winning video “Here it Goes Again” featured the act on synchronized treadmills; “Upside Down & Inside Out” showed the band achieving zero-gravity status as they filming the video on a reduced gravity aircraft; and their recent release, “Obsession,” which utilized 567 printers and a ton of paper and later recycled and the profits donated, have all made OK Go a standout act.

On Friday, an all-star line-up from Yamaha promises an unforgettable multi-artist extravaganza with the “Yamaha All-Star Concert on the Grand 2018,” set to crank up the volume to 11. With the concert performers still under wraps, the evening promises a dazzling array of seasoned performers to delight The NAMM Show audience. Past performers at Yamaha’s annual NAMM event include luminaries such as Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, John Legend, Earth, Wind & Fire, U2 founder and drummer Larry Mullen, Jr. and many others.

Andy Grammer / Photo credit: Chris Phelps
Saturday evening at the annual “Imagine Party,” The NAMM Foundation and The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus presented by Other World Computing will welcome acclaimed multi-platinum pop singer and songwriter, Andy Grammer. Best known for his upbeat, positive musical stylings and prolific, honest songwriting, Grammer has built a career connecting with his audience and fans in a refreshing, clear voice. In 2011, he became the first male pop star in a decade to reach the Top 10 on Adult Pop Radio with "Keep Your Head Up" and "Fine By Me," from his 2011 self-titled debut. His second album, Magazines or Novels, featured the triple-platinum infectious smash hit, "Honey, I'm Good," which was one of the best-selling songs of 2015, and the certified gold anthem "Good to be Alive (Hallelujah)." Most recently, Andy released his third studio album, The Good Parts, in December which features the hit singles “Smoke Clears” and “Fresh Eyes,” which has become a streaming phenomenon with over 350 million total streams. In addition to his performance in the evening, Grammer will spend part of his afternoon on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus with young musicians from local area schools.

Each act will start at 6 p.m. and be preceded by a variety of performers throughout the day as part of the Bands@NAMM program. The schedule for both The NAMM Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage and The NAMM Arena Plaza Stage Presented by Pioneer Pro Audio is available at https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2018/bands-at-namm.


The B-52s Members Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, and Melissa Etheridge to be Honored at 2018 She Rocks Awards 

Melissa Etheridge
From left, Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson of the B-52s
The Women’s International Music Network (the WiMN) announces that Melissa Etheridge and The B-52s band members Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson will be honored at the 6th annual She Rocks Awards on Friday, January 26, 2018, during the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA. 

Best known for her hit songs “I’m the Only One,” “Come to My Window,” and the song that first propelled her career, “Bring Me Some Water,” Grammy® Award- and Academy® Award-winning artist Melissa Etheridge has been tearing up the charts and tearing off the roof since 1988 with her signature sound. Her current album, MEmphis Rock and Soul, was released in 2016 to critical acclaim, and features original songs as well as her interpretation of classics. For more info, visit www.melissaetheridge.com.

Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson are original members of one of the most beloved party rock bands, The B-52s. Known for their unique musical and performance style, the band has made a permanent mark on the musical world with hits such as “Rock Lobster,” “Roam,” “Love Shack,” and many more. Celebrating The B-52s’ 40th anniversary, Kate and Cindy continue to perform with the band, in addition to working on solo projects. For more info, visit www.theb52s.com

The WiMN Founder, Laura B. Whitmore, comments, “We are so excited to honor these pioneering women who represent the diversity of musical styles we embrace at the She Rocks Awards. Each has made lasting contributions to music, and has influenced countless female musicians and fans alike.” 

Melissa Etheridge, Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson join a host of 2018 honorees that includes the pioneering all-girl band Fanny and Exene Cervenka of X plus a collection of role models from all walks of the music and audio industries. View the full list of this year’s honorees here

Gearing up for its sixth consecutive year, the She Rocks Awards pays tribute to women who display leadership and stand out within the music industry, and has become a standard at the NAMM Show. Previous award recipients include female industry leaders such as Colbie Caillat, Ronnie Spector, Sheila E, The Bangles, Shirley Manson, Esperanza Spalding, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Batten, Karmin, Orianthi, Dinah Gretsch, Craigie Zildjian, and more. 

The 2018 She Rocks Awards is sponsored by Gretsch, Monster Energy, Sennheiser, Seymour Duncan, Martin Guitar, Reverb.com, Harman, Fishman, Roland, Zildjian, Guitar Center, Casio, Daisy Rock Girl Guitars, PRS Guitars, D’Angelico Guitars, Tech 21, PreSonus, D'Angelico Guitars, Berklee Online, 108 Rock Star Guitars, On-Stage Stands, M.A.C Cosmetics, Paul Mitchell, City National Bank, Bittree, NAMM, Music Inc.Music & Sound Retailer, Music-News.com, NewBay Media, Guitar WorldGuitar PlayerBass PlayerElectronic MusicianGuitar Girl MagazineGear Tech + RecordingKVR Audio, and more.

Tickets are on sale now. This event is open to the public and a NAMM show badge is not required to attend. And yes, men are welcome, too! Learn more at www.sherocksawards.com.

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