NAMM 2017 to host performances from Richie Sambora and Orianthi, Bernie Williams, Ronnie Spector and The Ronnettes, more

I am really looking forward to hitting the NAMM Show in Anaheim this month, and I know those of you who are attending the event will be happy with some of the announcements as they related to featured artists set to perform...

Richie Sambora and Orianthi, Bernie Williams, and Ronnie Spector and The Ronnettes to Rock the Grand Plaza Stage at the 2017 NAMM Show January 19-22, 2017

-Acts accompanied by 150 artist performances over four days at the annual show-

Orianthi will perform at the 2017
NAMM Show in Anaheim.

CARLSBAD, Calif. – January 3, 2017 – The 2017 NAMM Show is just around the corner, and with it, top musical acts are scheduled to rock The NAMM Nissan Grand Plaza stage. This year will bring a variety of performances from across the sonic spectrum, with each evening offering performances from rock legends, a pro-athlete and accomplished jazz musician, and an R&B legend, all in the spirit of musical diversity that can be found at The NAMM Show. 

Kicking off the show on Thursday night, January 19 is rock duo RSO: Richie Sambora and Orianthi. Each a respected guitarist in their own right, Sambora and Orianthi will bring their deft fret work and monster screams to the show, marking the duo’s first NAMM performance together. Grammy award-winner Sambora, also known for his passion for philanthropy, will offer up his world-renowned Songwriters Hall of Fame talent, addictive hooks and poetic lyrics. Platinum-selling guitarist Orianthi has enjoyed a career as a touring artist for the likes of Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper and many others, and was named by Elle magazine as one of the top “12 Greatest Female Electric Guitarists.” The pair have spent the past year touring the globe and will perform at The NAMM Show directly following a tour of the UK, Asia and Orianthi’s native Australia. 

On Friday evening, January 20, former center fielder for the New York Yankees, music education advocate and accomplished jazz musician Bernie Williams and his All-Star Band will take the stage to perform in The NAMM Foundation’s Celebration for Music Education. Williams, who enjoyed a 16-year career in Major League Baseball, is a classically-trained guitarist, Latin Grammy®-nominated (2009’s Moving Forward) musician and designated Turnaround Arts artist from the President’s Committee on Arts and Humanities. Williams and band will welcome fellow music and arts supporter, Turnaround Arts artist, singer, songwriter, and “Life is Beautiful” hitmaker, Keb’ Mo’, along with additional surprise performers throughout the evening. The NAMM Foundation’s Celebration for Music Education is designated to celebrate the many donors and supporters of the Foundation’s efforts and to encourage attendees to join in the organization’s efforts.

On Saturday, January 21, The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus celebrates its 20^th Anniversary with The John Lennon Imagine Party featuring Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Ronnie Spector and The Ronettes. As the “Original Bad Girl of Rock & Roll,” Spector is best known for a long string of classic “girl group” rock anthems such as “Baby I Love You,” “Walking in The Rain,” and the international number one smash, “Be My Baby.” The rock icon has charted material in six consecutive decades, and along the way collaborated with everyone from Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Springsteen, to Eddie Money, Joey Ramone and The Beatles. Ronnie and John Lennon first met in London during the Ronettes’ first U.K. tour in January of 1964, and in 1966, the group was personally chosen by The Beatles to open their final tour. From their first meeting forward, Lennon and Ronnie shared a close friendship with Lennon playing and singing on Ronnie's first solo recordings in 1971. The night will celebrate the Lennon Bus’ 20^th Anniversary, the connection we share through music, and inspire those in attendance to continue to build a more musical world.

Each act will start at 6 p.m. and be preceded by a variety of performers throughout the day. The previously announced schedule is available here: https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2017/events/schedule#concerts

The NAMM Show gathers 100,000 members of the music product industry from around the world to preview new products from every category of music making.

Learn more about the NAMM Show at https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2017.  

NAMM Roundup: Live concerts announced; Glenn Hughes to appear at Orange Amplification

While NAMM doesn't officially arrive until January 22nd, there is plenty of news coming out in connection with the annual event. Here is a roundup of news that arrived in my inbox overnight and this morning...

Live Music Sets Soundtrack for 2015 NAMM Show

Trombone Shorty, George Clinton, Stanley Randolph headline musical performances and entertainment at annual music industry trade event

Carlsbad, Calif. (January 6, 2015) – Hundreds of artists from nearly every imaginable musical genre prepare to perform on five NAMM Show stages, as the 2015 NAMM Show returns to Anaheim January 22-25. Live music will set the soundtrack for product debuts from more than 5,000 music brands throughout the four-day music industry trade event. Star-studded awards shows, music-making opportunities, and live performances set the stage for a NAMM Show the industry will be talking about for years to come.

“NAMM is a great show to conduct business, but perhaps the soul of NAMM, and what makes it different from its competitors is the music,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. "Seeing musical performances from some of the best artists in the world and having our musical heroes checking out the latest gear next to us in an exhibitor’s booth are the experiences that we’ll be telling everyone all about when we get home.”

Productive days on the show floor flow into evenings spent networking with friends, set to a musical soundtrack playing on the Hilton Lobby Stage, the Marriott Lobby Stage, CenterStage between convention center halls B and C, The Venue Stage presented by Pioneer DJ, and the NAMM GoPro Stage on the Grand Plaza.

Live Music

Each night of the show, check out high-energy headliners from 6-7:30 p.m. on the NAMM GoPro Stage on the Grand Plaza. Immediately following the Industry Tribute on opening night, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue take the stage with their brand of hard-edged funk employing hip-hop beats, rock dynamics and improvisation in a jazz tradition. On Friday night, The Imagine Party hosted by the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and The NAMM Foundation features the legendary George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. Celebrate Saturday night with “Stanley Randolph and No Wonder” featuring the Stevie Wonder Band and special guests on vocals.

DJs spin EDM and house music at Monster Cable After Dark from 7-9 p.m. at The Venue Stage Presented by Pioneer DJ. Performances from DJ Ecto1, Crisco Kidd, Brandi Garcia, DJ Splyce, and more will fill the plaza with beats as a Stone Brewing Co. beer garden and some of L.A.’s most popular food trucks refuel industry guests.

Check out the full line up of performances on the NAMM Show stages, including GRAMMY winner Daniel Ho, former New York Yankee Bernie Williams, KUSI-TV’s Brad Perry, alumni of NBC’s “The Voice,” and festival favorites.

She Rocks Awards

Friday from 6-8:30 p.m., the She Rocks Awards presented by the Women’s International Music Network pays tribute to women who display leadership and stand out within the music industry. Held in the Hilton Anaheim Pacific Ballroom, the event honors performers Colbie Caillat, The Bangles, Mindi Abair, and female industry leaders. Purchase tickets for the show at sherocksawards.com.

NAMM TEC Awards

Hosted by comedian Sinbad on Saturday, January 24, the 30^th Annual NAMM TEC Awards honor excellence in sound technology and creativity. Legendary guitarist Slash will receive the prestigious Les Paul Award, and bassist Nathan East and Ed Cherney will be inducted into the TEC Hall of Fame. VIP reception starts at 6 p.m. and the awards show begins at 7 p.m. For a list of all the NAMM TEC award nominees and to purchase tickets, visit tecawards.org.

Industry Icons

Be inspired as renowned musician, DJ and composer Moby* opens the show’s Generation Next events Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the Hilton’s NAMM Foundation Lounge. Apple co-founder Steve “Woz” Wozniak opens Saturday morning’s NAMM U breakfast session, chatting music and technology with NAMM’s Joe Lamond at 8:30 a.m. in the Hilton Pacific Ballroom.

Make Music!

Everyone’s welcome at Friday’s All-Industry Drum Circle presented in collaboration with Remo Inc. from 5:45 – 7 p.m. at the Palm Terrace between the convention center and Hilton. Sunday, join a trombone circle at 11:30 a.m., a trumpet circle at 1 p.m. or a uke circle at 2:30 in the NAMM Member Center (convention center lobby), presented in collaboration with Conn-Selmer, Warwick Music Ltd., and Kala Brand Music Co.

Register today for access to more than 5,000 music product, instrument and technology brands, educational opportunities and live entertainment at the 2015 NAMM Show. Limited exhibit space is still available.

*Moby’s participation is in collaboration with the Los Angeles College of Music.

Meet Glenn Hughes exclusively at the Orange Amplification Boot at Winter NAMM on Jan. 24, 2015

Orange Amplification Ambassador and legendary bass player Glenn Hughes will be appearing exclusively on their booth at the 2015 Winter NAMM on Saturday Jan. 24, 2015 at 2 p.m., where he will meet, greet and sign autographs.

For over forty years Glenn Hughes has been a bass player, vocalist and songwriter with some of the world’s greatest Rock acts, as well as having carved out a hugely successful solo career. His long list of credits include the likes of Deep Purple, Black Country Communion, supergroup Kings of Chaos and Tony Iommi.. He is currently lead vocalist and bass player with California Breed whose self-titled album was one of the most critically acclaimed releases of 2014.

Glenn recently produced a video about why he uses Orange Bass Amps where he said, ‘When you plug into this, (Orange AD200B Mk3) prepare to meet thy match! If you are a Rock bass player and you want to tear the roof and the heads off your audience, may I suggest this amp.’ You can see the full video here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2k3q6Ts8qI

To meet Glenn and see all the new Orange Amplification products, go to the Orange Music Booth 4890 Hall C on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 at 2 p.m. or visit https://www.orangeamps.com

About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $16.7 billion music products industry. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,200 member companies located in 99 countries. NAMM events and members fund The NAMM Foundation's efforts to promote the pleasures and benefits of music, and advance active participation in music making across the lifespan. For more information about NAMM, please visit www.namm.org, call 800.767.NAMM (6266) or follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

NAMM 2013: Members of No Doubt, Young the Giant and Testament kick off event

NAMM 2013: Sameer Gadhia, Tom Dumont help kick off annual Anaheim convention


The world-renowned NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center doesn’t begin until today, and its most-anticipated moments (like the Elton John-led event for Yamaha’s 125th anniversary inside Disney California Adventure) won’t happen until the weekend.


But a media preview on Wednesday (January 23, 2013) provided a chance to get an early look at the new music-related products on display Jan. 24-27 at the National Association of Music Merchants’ annual trade show. NAMM president and CEO Joe Lamond said this year’s gathering is expected to attract more than 100,000 people for the first time.


“The NAMM Show is where the global music industry comes together,” he explained during an appearance with Grammy-nominated guitarist and former New York Yankee great Bernie Williams to discuss the importance of music education. “There are products made today that will be played by our great-great-grandchildren.”


Lamond also praised Orange County for welcoming NAMM attendees every January, noting that the music show was first staged here in 1976 at the Disneyland Hotel.


As is typical, there was no shortage of names to check out even during an advance stroll through the massive hall. Highlights of the day included a performance by Young the Giant singer Sameer Gadhia, who utilized his TC-Helicon VoiceLive 2 to create layers of vocal parts he improvised on the spot, creating a fantastic experimental soundscape with Radiohead shading that had video reporters riveted.


No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont also turned up to share a few licks on behalf of Laguna Hills guitar manufacturer GJ2, co-founded by Grover Jackson. “I was a rock music lover,” Dumont mentioned, recalling the sound and feel of Jackson guitars back in the day. “I get the same feeling today as I got all those years ago.”


Another gifted guitarist, Alex Skolnick of Testament, showcased a new 40-watt Peavey amp ideal for both acoustic and electric players as well as bassists. But what got onlookers excited was his speedy fretwork. He later played an impromptu set with jazz players Jon Barnes (trumpet) and Malcolm Turner (bass) that revealed his chops extend beyond metal’s loud and lightning-fast demands.



Music history was also celebrated: violin virtuoso Elizabeth Pitcairn played her “Red Mendelssohn” Stradivarius built in 1720, movingly performing John Williams’ theme for Schindler’s List. In an age of digitally-enhanced everything, it reconfirmed the power of a single acoustic instrument, when it’s in the hands of a master.


Much newer creations that were unveiled included a series of boutique amplifiers created by Sacramento-based Fargen Amplification, featuring John Lennon’s artwork. Taylor Guitars showcased “The Grand Orchestra,” its successor to the Taylor Jumbo guitar and the largest acoustic model it has made.


“It’s distinctly original and not a borrowed design,” said Andy Powers, a master builder with Taylor and primary designer of the instrument. “It’s louder and has a huge, powerful sound.”


You can view a video and photos courtesy of Mark Eades at The Orange County Register via this link.