The NAMM Show
Anaheim Convention Center
Anaheim, California
January 17-20, 2008
By Victoria Joyce
(SugarBuzz Hollywood)
Pix By Victoria
Exhibits, booths, demos, samples, workshops and badges. And schmoozing, lots of schmoozing. These are the things trade shows are made of. The National Association of Music Merchandisers does their thing in January right next to Disneyland. It IS a Disneyland for rockers. For the 106th time.
It is the biggest thing of it's kind. Think O'hare Airport with electric guitars. Fifteen hundred exhibitors show their stuff and last year 85K people (trade only with a lot of crashers) showed up to see. The best part is they hire professionals to do demos and sign autographs. It's like Woodstock with badges and bad coffee.
Every January they come to the OC. This may be the last one there. Word is they've outgrown the space. What's bigger? Edwards Air Force Base?
Wandering through you will see rhinestone studded drums for a million zillions dollars and baby's first guitar in pink or blue, hand-painted violins from Japan, harmonicas, the latest disco lasers and endless, endless rows of gear, amplifiers, soundboards, cymbals and guitars, guitars, and more guitars. Pass those and there are more guitars.
This fine organization also has a museum in Carlsbad. Nice little place with exhibits of instruments and their evolution in America. They have a full set of what the Beatles had on Ed Sullivan; Ludwig Drums, Vox Amps, Rickbackers, etc. Cool. Nice programs and shows too. They are dedicated to music and education.
Get yourself in there if you can.