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| Singer-songwriter-guitarist Ron Artis II performing at the 2026 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California on Jan. 22. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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| From left, Sheléa Melody McDonald, Stevie Wonder
and Alana Springsteen performing on Jan. 23, 2026.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz
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Here is my roundup of the action I caught at the 2026 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California last week. A special "thank you" to Bob Steshetz for allowing me to use so many of his amazing photographs.
You can also read music writer George A. Paul's excellent coverage of the 2026 NAMM Show via Rock Cellar Magazine HERE.
Robert Kinsler
The NAMM Show, the largest music industry trade show in the world, returned to the Anaheim Convention Center and adjacent hotels last week for several days of education sessions, performances, award ceremonies, new product demos and much more.
- 60,000+ show attendees, including 8,760+ international attendees from 122 countries, regions and territories
- 1,650+ exhibitors representing 5,400+ brands, which is 25 percent more than 2025
- Nearly 15,000 artists demonstrating and endorsing products and brands
- 200+ education sessions with 550+ speakers
- 1,600+ media, influencers and content creators reaching over 200+ million followers, which is 50 percent more than 2025.
Below are some highlights of my visit to NAMM's 125th anniversary show.
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| From left, Molly Tuttle and Martin President/CEO Thomas Ripsam at NAMM's Global Media Day on Jan. 21, 2026. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
On Jan. 21, music journalists and social media influencers were given a preview of what select music manufacturers offered as part of NAMM's Global Media Day. Grammy Award-winning bluegrass artist Molly Tuttle and singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy, as well as rising young band The Runarounds performed as part of the event; Tuttle was excited to showcase two new signature Martin guitars (the D-18 and D-X2E).
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| The Runarounds performing at NAMM's Global Media Day. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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| Singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy performing at NAMM's Global Media Day. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
NAMM President/CEO John Mlynczak kicked off the Media Preview Day, held in the Hilton Pacific Ballroom. A number of other high-profile guests also participated during the event.
"We love to create new products," C.F. Martin & Co. President/CEO Thomas Ripsam said.
Ripsam was joined by Tuttle at several media-related events on Jan. 21. "All my favorite guitar players played Martin (guitars)," Tuttle noted.
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| Molly Tuttle performing at the Martin Guitars Booth on Jan. 21, 2026. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler |
Tuttle was truly one of the great musicians I caught performing at NAMM this year; the Santa Clara, California native — who celebrated her 33rd birthday earlier this month — began playing guitar at age 8. She released her fifth studio album So Long Little Miss Sunshine in August 2025. Her performance of the original song "San Joaquin" from her 2023 album City of Gold was a highlight for me (you can see that performance HERE).
At the media event Mlynczak noted that "5,400 brands are collaborating" with NAMM this year and the industry show saw double the product releases in 2026 compared with 2025. "This is where new products flourish," he noted.
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| Guitarist Chris Buck demonstrating his technique and the sound of Yamaha's Chris Buck Signature Rev-star RS02CB at the NAMM Show. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
Among the wide range of new guitars showcased that day were PRS Guitars' Silver Sky Wild Blue Limited Edition and Ed Sheehan Cosmic Splash Limited Edition guitar models, Yamaha's Chris Buck Signature Rev-star RS02CB and C.F. Martin & Co.'s Super D-14 Acoustic Guitar line (the latter whose larger body provides for 20 percent more air volume and projection).
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| John Mlynczak at NAMM. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
That day also saw several memorable performances.
During a powerful 40-minute daytime set on the Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ron Artis II was backed by a great two-man rhythm section. He delivered strong originals blending rock, blues, soul, and more. Among my favorite originals he performed was the propulsive funk-fueled "The Truth."
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| Laurence Juber performing on the Martin Guitar Acoustic Stage. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler |
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| Italian guitarist Matteo Mancuso performing on the Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage on Jan. 23, 2026. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
On Jan. 23, I caught a number of other performances. The most high-profile of the concerts was led by instrumental guitar virtuoso Matteo Mancuso. The Italian guitar master's set on the Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage blended progressive rock, jazz and flamenco elements into a signature sound across a 40-minute crowd pleasing appearance.
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| Cannibal & the Headhunters at the end of the troupe's Jan. 23, 2026 set at NAMM. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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| John Wayne Townsend performing at NAMM. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
Later that afternoon on the DAS Audio Arena Plaza Stage, a "Legends Concert" featuring Cannibal & the Headhunters celebrating the classic rock era had attendees dancing, cheering and enjoying a number of rock radio staples; the highlight was seeing John Wayne Townsend play keys and sing his enduring 1977 hit "Smoke From a Distant Fire."
PRODUCTS AND PERFORMANCES APLENTY
Below is a photo gallery of more images captured at the 2026 NAMM Show.
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| Chinese-made Caraya banjos on display. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler |
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| Singer-songwriter-guitarist Ron Artis II in action on Jan. 22. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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| Traveler Guitars make quite an impression. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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| A close-up look at the Ed Sheehan Cosmic Splash Limited Edition instrument showcased by Stevensville, MD-based PRS Guitars. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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| The Retablo Art Guitar crafted by John Page. Learn More via johnpageguitars.com. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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| An attention-grabbing Guitar Capo. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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| A casual get-together on the floor - an impromptu jam at NAMM. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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| Cannibal & the Headhunters performing on Jan. 23, 2026. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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| From left, Matt Starr, Phil X and Billy Sheehan tearing it up at the NAMM Show on Jan. 23. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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| Legendary bassist Billy Sheehan. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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| Phil X shredding at NAMM. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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| No ordinary picks. United Kingdom-based Timber Tones offers the "largest selection of luxury Guitar Picks in the world." Photo credit: Robert Kinsler |
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| A look at the Boutique Guitar Showcase. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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| NAMM stickers. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler |
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| Famed harmonica virtuoso Lee Oskar (famed for his stint with WAR), left, with yours truly at the NAMM Show. The Lee Oskar Harmonicas booth was a must-see at the 2026 NAMM Show. |
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| A closer look at road-ready Traveler Guitars. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler |
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| Performances have become a key part of the NAMM experience. Here is Tom Griesgraber playing the Chapman Stick. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
VIDEOS FROM THE 2026 NAMM SHOW
MusicUCanSee was also at the NAMM Show and has posted a number of great videos available now:
An interview with the John Lennon Bus Educational Tour Bus co-founder Brian Rothschild HERE.
If you play guitar, check out this video on Casio's new Dimension Shifter HERE.
Watch Molly Tuttle's full-length performance of her song "San Joaquin" HERE.
Watch Molly Tuttle's performance of her song "Rosalee" HERE.
Watch a bit of Hannibal & The Headhunters' performance of "Land of 1,000 Dances" HERE.
Finally, here is an interview of me by MusicUCanSee host Tino Anglade on Jan. 21.
