Column #15: A NAMM Reporter's Noteboook
Published June, 2002

This isn't the first time I've used this space to talk about NAMM--the National Association of Music Merchants' annual convention every winter in Anaheim, California, where musical-equipment manufacturers show off their wares to retailers, international distributors, sales reps, musicians, the music press, and even a few visitors lucky enough to get in. At this year's NAMM show I took along a microcassette recorder and asked people one question: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of NAMM? (Full disclosure: I work for SWR, and I endorse gear by Mike Lull Custom Guitars, Taylor Guitars, D'Addario strings, and Raven Labs, although I tried to interview as many people from as many different companies as possible. In other words, no conspiracy theories, okay?)

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Tommy Wilson (Product Manager, Ampeg): "A lot of really hard work and really good times. Very good products, great people in the industry, seeing all your friends--that's what NAMM is all about."

Rudy Schlacher (President, Washburn International): "An incredibly large assortment of musical instruments--perhaps too many."

John D'Agostino (V.P. of Public Relations, Taylor Guitars): "Chaos. Fatigue. Lots of toys I want but probably won't end up having."

Doug Wimbish (bassist for Living Colour): "Purgatory. It's like being stuck in hell for four days, but you love it--you can't wait to come back."

John Ripley (General Manager, MARS Nashville): "Excitement. It's packed this year. I had to park miles away."

Mark Blasquez (Product Specialist, Line 6): "Not available--maybe May." (That's an alternative meaning of the acronym NAMM, referring to products introduced well before they're ready to ship.)

Jakob Morelli (visitor): "Absolute chaos, but in a good way. It's the kid-in-the-candy-store feeling, on a big, professional level. I'm just trying to meet as many people as possible."

Mike Connelly (Director of Artist Relations and New Product Development, Dean Markley): "Pain. Fun." (So pain and fun are not mutually exclusive for you?) "It depends on where you work."

Andy West (bassist for Dixie Dregs and FWAP): "My feet."

Mike Levine (Editor, Onstage magazine): "Music, crowds, and bad food."

Dale Krevens (V.P., Tech 21): "Party time. I think of a high school reunion, except you like everybody."

Jon Levy (Advertising Director, Bass Player and Guitar Player): "H-E-L-L."

Ned Steinberger (bass builder): "The stress of trying to sell musical instruments."

Bob Moog (synth pioneer): "Having to shout until you're hoarse."

Charlie Turner (Sales Rep, formerly of Upscale Marketing): "Whether or not I'm going to keep my job--there's a lot of heads rolling out there. It's dangerous with the superstores coming and going. A lot of changes, because the business is growing up and learning how to go corporate."

Kathleen McCann (visitor): "Eighty percent long-haired beautiful artists, male. That leaves 20 percent female. Let's be honest here--it's very good hunting."

Dave Pomeroy (Nashville session bassist): "Noise!"

Lisa Lopez (NAMM Booth Reception, Samick Music Corporation): "Rock stars."

Brian Courtney (Group Publisher, Bass Player and Guitar Player): "Too much time away from my family."

Steve Rabe (President, Raven Labs): "Seeing my friends in the industry, which you don't necessarily get to do at any other time during the year."

Brad Houser (bassist for New Bohemians and Critters Buggin'): "Lizard-skin porno chicks, horrible guitar playing, typewriter-slap bass, and a lot of cool gear."

Bob McDonald (Design and Quality Control Manager, Modulus Guitars): "Lots of people, music, and insanity."

Mark Magnich (File Control Manager, Guitar Center management): "Innovation. New products. It's interesting to see what the industry is going to do now, or next year--to see who's going to take things to the next level."

Michael Stoltzman (employee, Redlands Guitar Shop; 18 years old, first NAMM): "It's badass. They have everything, and plenty of it."

Simon Bradley (Guitarist magazine, United Kingdom): "Sore feet. And the fact that I had to spend 150 quid on a new pair of Dapps." (Dapps are trendy Welsh shoes.)

Matt Garrison (solo artist and bassist for Joe Zawinul and John McLaughlin): "Noise. Headaches. And lots of fun."

Mike Lull (bass builder): "Sore feet, sore back. Long hours. Shows. Lots of great gear, and seeing old friends."

Oscar Cartaya (bassist for Jennifer Lopez): "I think of Vietnam--if I can survive all four days, I earn a Purple Heart."

Harvey Citron (bass builder): "Waiting for my cartons. Three hours waiting for a few cartons."

Tom Wheeler (former Editor, Guitar Player magazine): "Friends I've had for a long time. When Ned Steinberger came to NAMM with the first Steinberger bass, no one would give him the time of day. How wonderful to see Larry DiMarzio start off in a little 10x10 booth and to be able to watch his business grow. And I get a bang out of trying out new gear; I'll always get a kick out of playing a new Les Paul or a new Stratocaster. But I can do that in a music store--seeing some of these friends, I can do only here."

By Bryan Beller, copyright 2002 United Entertainment Media. Reprinted from the June, 2002 issue of BASS PLAYER. Reprinted with permission from BASS PLAYER. For subscription information, please call (850) 682-7644 or visit www.bassplayer.com