NAMM’s Media Preview Day provides a myriad of sights and sounds

Article by Robert Kinsler

Photography by Bob Steshetz

Although The 2023 NAMM Show officially kicks off tomorrow (Thursday, April 13), a Media Preview Day was held this afternoon and offered an early glimpse of a number of music industry brand reveals that will be showcased at the highly-anticipated show April 13-15 at the Anaheim Convention Center. A special "thank you" to Bob Steshetz for his photography.

The "Volia" guitar is on display in Booth #5828.

One of the most impressive musical instruments I got to see up close were the Universium TT Guitars, is a collaboration known as "Volia" created by the talents at Sweden's True Temperament brand and Ukraine's Universum Guitars brand. These guitars were built in Kyiv, Ukraine during the war and are available to raise money for Ukrainians during this challenging time. NAMM-goers can see the Volia electric guitars at Booth 5828 in Hall D during the NAMM Show. Learn more by watching the informational video at: https://youtu.be/gGGzpW-00dw.

Peavey's 6505 Reissue Guitar Amplifier (above),
and the company's HP Poplar Burl RM
electric guitar (below).

John Fera, a digital design engineer with Peavey Electronics, was on hand to discuss the company's 6505 1992 Original Guitar Amplifier, as well as the new HP 2 Poplar Burl RM.  In 1992, Peavey collaborated with Eddie Van Halen to launch the 5150 guitar amp. Van Halen eventually started his own company but Peavey has reissued this amp to mark its 30th anniversary under the new 6505 name. Visit Peavey's line of instruments, accessories, pro audio and more at Booth #210A during the NAMM Show.

Cello Azul playing the "Horizon" electric cello.

3Dvarius is a France-based company bringing their "New Generation Electric Violins" to the NAMM Show. Laurent Bernadac, co-founder of the company, was there to note that the company's bowed string instruments include both electric violins and cellos. The electric cello "Horizon" can be played seated or standing and is sold with a strap system. The talented cellist Cello Azul played the Horizon and impressed media representatives throughout the preview event. Visit 3Dvarius at Booth #9532.

Dingwall Guitars displayed the John Taylor Signature Model bass. Taylor, the acclaimed bassist of Duran Duran, is a limited-edition instrument. "We opened the (online) store today and they are sold out," said Sheldon Dingwall, the founder of the Canadian company, noting it took approximately two years to design and produce the limited edition bass. "We created 82 instruments to go along with the year Rio was released (1982)." The good news is more widely-available productive models will be available at boutique guitar shops this summer. Check out the John Taylor Signature Model bass at Booth #4610.

The Donner REVO Smart Guitar (seen on the right) is a groundbreaking instrument that will please guitar players and educators assisting beginners learning how to play. Equipped with a patented DMI pickup system and advanced audio algorithm by Donner's engineer, REVO  can recognize, and show every note played by the player. It's colorful lighting fretboard is an impressive gateway to the technology housed in the instrument. Come see the smart guitar at Booth #4324.

Below are more images taken at Media Preview Day on April 12, 2023.

The Zylia 6DoF was among the
state-of-the-art products on display.
www.ZYLIA.co

Acclaimed singer-guitarist Terry Reid
talking music with Robert Kinsler.

Members of Blue Öyster Cult, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Van Halen rock Peavey 50th Anniversary Party at NAMM

Rickey Medlocke, Robert Randolph, Gary Rossington and 
Michael Anthony perform at the 2015 National Association of 
Music Merchants show at the Anaheim Convention Center on 
January 22, 2015 in Anaheim, CA. 
(Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM)

Peavey Electronics 50th Anniversary Concert

Who: Members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue Öyster Cult, Van Halen, more

Where: Anaheim Hilton California Ballroom, NAMM Show

When: Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015

When major music manufacturers throw a party at the NAMM Show, they tend to go big.

So the thousands of attendees able to secure a spot inside the Hilton Anaheim's California Ballroom on Thursday night (Jan. 22, 2015) knew they were in for a unique night of music making courtesy of a party celebrating the 50th anniversary of Peavey and its 73-year-old founder and CEO Hartley Peavey. 

After a number of in-person and video tributes to Hartley Peavey, it was all about the music.

Blue Öyster Cult, from left, featured Eric Bloom, 
Richie Castellano (not clearly seen), Buck 
Dharma, drummer Bobby Rondinelli, and bassist 
Rudy Sarzo. (Photo:Robert Kinsler)

Blue Öyster Cult, a trio of members from Lynyrd Skynyrd, original Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, famed pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph and all-star drummer Kenny Aronoff (Sting, John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Walter Trout) were all showcased during the hour-long finale of the event.

While Blue Öyster Cult performed only four cuts, few seemed disappointed. Singer-guitarists Buck Dharma and Eric Bloom led the outfit through their biggest hits with an intensity suited to loosen up a crowd of industry insiders. The opener "Burnin' For You" displayed both Dharma's still-blazing fret work and the band's influential blend of hard rock and melodic song craft. "Godzilla," with tandem vocals from Dharma and Bloom and instrumental solos from guest bassist Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot) and drummer Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow, Black Sabbath) was also a crowd pleaser. The ambitious rocker "Cities on Flame With Rock and Roll" came next, featuring Richie Castellano on keys. On the set-ending "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," the energy in the hall was lifted even higher and the extended version was bolstered by a gigantic finale complete with Aronoff joining the band to add some percussive cowbell.

Robert Randolph and Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary 
Rossington perform at the 2015 National Association of
Music Merchants show at the Anaheim Convention Center 
  on January 22, 2015, in Anaheim, California.
 (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM)

While the BÖC set was tight and recalled an abbreviated version of the groundbreaking band's outstanding outing at the Pacific Amphitheater in August 2014, the night-ending jam featuring the other stars on hand proved to be a more loose - and ultimately - unique affair. This five-song set spotlighted Lynyrd Skynyrd members Gary Rossington (guitar), Rickey Medlocke (guitar, vocals) and Peter Keys (piano) joined by Anthony (bass, vocals), Randolph (pedal steel, vocals) and Aronoff thrilling behind the drum kit.

Robert Randolph, Gary Rossington and Michael Anthony
perform at the 2015 National Association of Music
Merchants show at the Anaheim Convention Center on 
January 22, 2015 in Anaheim, California. 
(Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM)

The set opened with a version of Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love?" highlighting Randolph on vocals, with his fiery slide work and Rossington's distinctive Southern rock guitar sound blending to give new life to the oft-covered classic. Next up came a rousing version of the Skynyrd hit "Gimme Three Steps," with Medlocke and Anthony sharing lead vocal duties. With the subsequent "The Breeze," the supergroup hit even harder; Randolph, Rossington and Medlocke all playing dramatic lead together. Keys also was able to showcase his fluid style on piano and the overall spirit of the set was most perfectly captured here. When the song ended the obviously-thrilled Randolph said: "This is a blast. Thank God for NAMM."

The night didn't end until the ensemble tore through a rocking version of "Sweet Home Alabama" and Van Halen's "Ain't Talking About Love."

Review by Robert Kinsler

Photos taken by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM, and Robert Kinsler

Inbox Update: Bridge School Benefit Concert Webcast; Heavy Metal Michael Jackson tribute; 'The Walking Dead' Guitar

Here is an eclectic mix of items for a Tuesday morning...

THE 27th ANNUAL BRIDGE SCHOOL BENEFIT CONCERT TO BE WEBCAST LIVE SATURDAY, OCT 26th WARNER BROS. RECORDS WILL SPONSOR THE WEBCAST FOR FREE

October 22, 2013 - (Burbank, CA.) - The 2013 BRIDGE SCHOOL BENEFIT CONCERTS will beheld on Oct 26 and 27 at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA, marking the 27th anniversary of this incredible and historic series. For the past quarter of a century, the biggest and brightest names in music have been drawn to these concerts to pledge their support of The Bridge School, a non-profit, innovative organization educating children with severe speech and physical impairments through the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems and assistive technology. Warner Bros. Records will sponsor the webcast of the Saturday show of The Bridge School Benefit Concert live from Shoreline Amphitheatre on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013.  The show will stream free in its entirety on YouTube. In the meantime, click here to view a trailer for the webcast. The artists set to appear on the webcast are: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Queens Of the Stone Age, Arcade Fire, My Morning Jacket, Jack Johnson, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Fun, Heart and Jenny Lewis. Click here or here to watch the webcast on Saturday, Oct 26th. Follow us on Twitter:  @bridgeconcert This is the hashtag being used - #supportbridgeschool   Alternate hashtag - #supportbridgeschool  #bridgeschool Once again, The Bridge School Benefit Concerts - 25th Anniversary Edition, is still available in a 3-DVD set and a 2-CD package is available via Reprise Records. View the trailer here.       The 3-DVD set includes two performance discs featuring Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, Pearl Jam, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, The Who, Tom Petty, Simon and Garfunkel,Neil Young, and much more. A documentary DVD includes "The Bridge School Story," which gives a special look into this wonderful school and the truly phenomenal services they provide children with advanced physical and communication challenges. Another documentary on the DVD, "Backstage At The Bridge School Benefit Concert," offers a bird's-eye view of the event itself, along with special features including heartfelt interviews with the students and the artists themselves. The 2-CD package features exclusive performances from Sheryl Crow, Thom Yorke, Norah Jones,No Doubt, Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Sonic Youth, and more. The Bridge School Benefit Concerts - 25th Anniversary Edition will entertain, enlighten, and inform you on how to become a member of The Bridge School family. For more about The Bridge School, visit www.bridgeschool.org  Click here to find out more information on the release and how to donate directly to The Bridge School. Click here to order the triple DVD package. Click here to order the double CD package. The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition DVD: Disc 1: Bruce Springsteen                                 "Born In The USA" Patti Smith                                            "People Have The Power" Pearl Jam                                              "Better Man" David Bowie                                           "Heroes" Ben Harper                                            "There Will Be A Light" Bob Dylan                                              "Girl From The North Country" R.E.M.                                                  "Country Feedback" Emmylou Harris & Buddy Miller              "Love Hurts" Fleet Foxes                                           "Blue Ridge Mountains" Devendra Banhart                                   "At The Hop" Bonnie Raitt                                          "The Road Is My Middle Name" Billy Idol                                               "Rebel Yell" Disc 2: Brian Wilson                                          "Surfin' USA" Gillian Welch                                         "The Way It Will Be" The Pretenders                                     "Sense Of Purpose" James Taylor                                         "Fire and Rain" Simon and Garfunkel                             "America" Tom Petty                                             "Shadow Of A Doubt" Dave Matthews                                     "Too Much" Neil Young                                            "Crime In The City" Tom Waits                                           "16 Shells From A Thirty-Ought Six" Elton John & Leon Russell                     "A Dream Come True" Paul McCartney                                    "Get Back" Metallica                                               "Disposable Heroes" The Who                                               "Won't Get Fooled Again" Disc 3: Bridge School Documentaries: * "Backstage At The Bridge School Benefit Concert" * "The Bridge School Story" * Special Feature - Student/Artist Interviews The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition CD CD 1: Bruce Springsteen                                "Born In The USA" Dave Matthews                                     "Too Much" No Doubt                                              "Magic's In The Makeup" Jack Johnson                                        "Gone" Fleet Foxes                                           "Blue Ridge Mountains" Neil Young & Crazy Horse                       "Love And Only Love" Sonic Youth                                           "Rain On Tin" Pearl Jam                                              "Better Man" Gillian Welch                                        "The Way It Will Be" R.E.M. & Neil Young                              "Country Feedback" Willie Nelson                                          "The Great Divide" Nils Lofgren                                           "Cry Just A Little" CD 2: Sarah McLachlan                                   "Elsewhere" Paul McCartney                                     "Get Back" Elton John & Leon Russell                    "A Dream Come True" Band Of Horses                                   "Marry Song" Metallica                                              "Disposable Heroes" Thom Yorke                                         "After The Gold Rush" Sheryl Crow                                         "The Difficult Kind" Tony Bennett                                         "Maybe This Time" CSNY                                                  "Déjà Vu" Norah Jones                                         "Jesus, Etc" Jonathan Richman                                 "I Was Dancing In The Lesbian Bar" Brian Wilson                                         "Surfin' USA" The Who                                              "Won't Get Fooled Again"

Metal Superstars Reinvent Michael Jackson’s Biggest Hits On A New Tribute Album

Performances by Danny Worsnop of ASKING ALEXANDRIA, Chuck Billy of TESTAMENT, Elias Soriano of NONPOINT, Lajon Witherspoon of SEVENDUST, Phil Campbell of MOTÖRHEAD, Doug Pinnick of KING’S X, Angelo Moore of FISHBONE, Priya Panda of DIEMONDS, Chris Jericho of FOZZY, Corey Glover of LIVING COLOUR and more!

Los Angeles, CA - Just in time for Halloween, a scarily impressive alliance of metal and hard rock luminaries has formed to create one of the most depraved abominations of musical crossbreeding in history - an all metal tribute to the King Of Pop, Michael Jackson, available on CD October 22! Never before have such quintessential pop hits as “Beat It,” “Thriller,” “Billy Jean” and “Man In The Mirror” been so completely transformed, substituting softly stylized synths with crunchy, distorted guitars, replacing the pitter patter of programmed beats with pulverizing double bass acoustic drums, and topping it off with some of the finest, most powerful vocals in metal. When completed, these reinventions pay due respect to the expertly crafted melodies and songs that made Michael Jackson one of the most beloved figures in all of music, and offer legions of metalheads a reason to simultaneously grab their crotches and throw the horns in celebration! \m/ \m/

Spearheaded by producer/musician Bob Kulick, who also helped in the arrangement of these cover versions, the project was in his words a “labor of love” for all involved. Exclaims Kulick, “We made these awesome songs kick ass while still being faithful to the original versions. Add killer players like Doug Aldrich, Billy Sheehan, Bruce Kulick, Rudy Sarzo, Tony Franklin, Craig Goldy, Bumblefoot, Phil Campbell and you’ve got some real MAGIC!” Rudy Sarzo, a stalwart of the metal scene as a member of both Quiet Riot and Queensrÿche, reflects, “Michael Jackson’s music is synonymous with iconic rockers such as Eddie Van Halen, Steve Stevens and Slash. So it’s only fitting that the rock community pays tribute to this legendary artist with Metal Mike!” And Fishbone’s Angelo Moore expresses great enthusiasm for his contribution, saying “I never thought I would hear myself doing a cover of ‘The Way You Make Me Feel,’ but it’s an honor and a dream come true. We put a different twist on it to give it a whole new light, or maybe I should say a whole new dark!”

In addition to the legends Kulick enlisted, several of today’s modern metal figures also contributed, including Elias Soriano of Nonpoint, who comments, “It was my pleasure to do this tribute to MJ. My admiration for the talent and history he has given to music overall will be hard to replace. My only wish is that I did him justice with my performance.” Jason Myers, of Icarus Witch, one of the current flag bearers in the traditional metal scene, declares, “When we were approached by Cleopatra to contribute to the Michael Jackson tribute we were honored (due to the legendary talent already on board), but a bit skeptical about how our fans would react...Choosing an unorthodox hit took a bit of pressure off and allowed us to put more of ourselves into the track.”

Finally, bassist Tony Franklin, who has worked with everyone from Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page to Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour to Whitesnake, confirms the surprise and astonishment many felt during the creation of the album, “The first thing I noticed was how easily these out and out pop songs translated to the metal genre. That is the sign of, one, a great song and, two, a great production and arrangement.” He goes on to note that it wasn’t just the songs that were transformed when Metal met Pop on these recordings; the performers themselves were transformed. He states, “It was very cool to see how the guest artists interpreted these songs as it brought out a different side of them - a side we wouldn’t usually hear.”

1. Thriller - Chuck Billy (Testament)

2. Man In The Mirror - Danny Worsnop (Asking Alexandria) & Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big)

3. The Way You Make Me Feel - Angelo Moore (Fishbone), Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake), & Rudy Sarzo (Queensrÿche)

4. Black Or White - Lajon Witherspoon (Sevendust), Bruce Kulick (ex-KISS), & Tony Franklin (The Firm)

5. Beat It - Priya Panda (Diemonds) & Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Guns N’ Roses)

6. Billy Jean - Corey Glover (Living Colour) & Phil Campbell (Motörhead)

7. Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground) - Elias Soriano (Nonpoint)

8. Rock With You - Doug Pinnick (King’s X)

9. Dirty Diana - Chris Jericho (Fozzy)

10. Bad - Paul Dianno (ex-Iron Maiden) & Craig Goldy (Dio)

11. They Don’t Care About Us - Icarus Witch

12. Never Can Say Goodbye - Lonnie Jordan (War)

13. Smooth Criminal - Alien Ant Farm

Purchase the CD at Amazon: http://georiot.co/3fdt  

Download the album at iTunes: http://georiot.co/35ef

'The Walking Dead' creator Robert Kirkman to appear at Peavey® Hollywood on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013

Fans can purchase a Peavey® officially licensed guitar featuring artwork from The Walking Dead™ and have it autographed by the comic book creator

Peavey Electronics®, world-renowned manufacturer of musical instruments and audio gear, is proud to announce a special event taking place at the Peavey Hollywood Store on Thursday, October 24, 2013 from 7 p.m. - 9  p.m. (PST).

Fans who purchase a Peavey officially licensed The Walking Dead™ guitar will be given the opportunity to get it signed by Robert Kirkman, creator and writer of the hit comic book and television series. 

Perfect for both musicians and fans alike, the guitars start at $219 and are available as the single-humbucking, entry-level Rockmaster® or the more robust, dual humbucking Predator™. The instruments feature gruesome artwork by The Walking Dead illustrator Charlie Adlard.

Entertainment will be provided by Metalachi, the world’s first and only heavy metal mariachi band. And, as no event featuring The Walking Dead is complete without ‘biters,’ participants can expect zombies to make an appearance, as well as other surprises throughout the evening. 

The Peavey Hollywood Store is located at 7422 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA. This event is open to the public. For those unable to attend, the event will be streamed live at peavey.com.

Learn more about the Peavey Electronics family of products at peavey.com.

About Peavey Electronics®

Founded in 1965, Peavey® is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of musical instruments and professional sound equipment. Peavey has earned more than 180 patents and distributes to more than 130 countries. Peavey and its MediaMatrix®, Architectural Acoustics®, Crest Audio®, Composite Acoustics® and Trace Elliot® brands and affiliates can be found on concert stages and in airports, stadiums, theme parks and other venues around the world. To find out more, visit www.Peavey.com.

About Robert Kirkman

Robert Kirkman's success and passionate advocacy for creator-owned comics led him to become the first person invited to become a partner at Image Comics since the company's inception twenty years ago. Kirkman is the creator/writer of the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur, The Astounding Wolf-Man and Thief of Thieves. In 2010, Kirkman formed his own Image imprint, Skybound, which publishes his own work and Witch Doctor, Guarding the Globe and Clone. Kirkman has earned the respect of the comic, writing and television communities and topped the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels in 2011 and in April 2012, he took the top five spots on both the hardcover and paperback lists. He's the creator/executive producer and writer of the hit Emmy®-winning television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S., also an international success in 122 countries and 37 languages. AMC is developing Thief of Thieves as a potential series with Kirkman serving as creator/executive producer and writer. Your destination for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles is www.Skybound.com.