If you’re someone who gets cabin fever this time of year, and you’re tired of 15 degree evenings, you’ll love the escape to Anaheim for The NAMM Show!
Every year I go, more Boise friends join me.
It’s so much more than a show for music marketers. If you play, teach, or even just love to listen to music, you’ll love NAMM. Last year over 62,000 people attended, and I’m sure this year it was even more.
The TEC Awards happened on Thursday. It’s always fun to see what companies are nominated and awarded for things like, best plug-in, best microphone, and so many new technical innovations are unveiled at NAMM. It’s exciting to think about the musicians, engineers, and scientists that create and design all the tech that musicians, producers, and sound engineers use for recording and performance.
Jack White was there for an award, and he did 2 great songs to wrap up the night. His Third Man pedals are some of the hottest products out there.
NAMM is a place filled with thousands of guitars, keyboards, world instruments, drums, violins, pianos, pedals, sheet music, software, stage lights and fog machines, and so much more. You can try almost anything there. This hands-on conference is also surrounded by music every few feet. Some booths let people try their products, and some have guest artists perform.
This is a favorite thing I’ve done each year.
I’d just seen Jon Batiste at a special speaking engagement, then saw him do a one-on-one interview at a small booth. I noticed him in a hallway, distracted by someone playing piano. I asked his talent handlers (yes, they call them that) if I could possibly get a selfie. He was happy to oblige! He later did a packed show on the Yamaha Stage outside. At the earlier speaking engagement, he said some things that were incredibly inspirational. He is very humble and genuine. He is a Julliard graduate from New Orleans, and he is excited to start doing some performances with his wife, who he is so proud of. You’ll be seeing Jon Batiste sing The National Anthem at “The Big Game” next month!
The thing on everyone’s mind there is the fires. From the plane, you could see the smoke went on forever. People on stage talked about it. People watching bands talked about it. Everyone I spoke with knew someone who had a horrible experience with it. I saw grown men tell stories of it, and cry. It’s worse than you can imagine, the fires have destroyed home of people from all walks of life. With this in mind, please watch and donate to Thursday’s Fire Aid Benefit concert.
At NAMM, I saw some great lectures and workshops on marketing, sound engineering, AI, Artist Development, how to make your YouTube and socials more viral. It’s a weird time right now. Many people are leaving certain platforms, some platforms have a threatened existence, and there are new platforms we haven’t quite figured out how to measure yet.
I was so excited to again be invited to the Red Carpet photo shoot for She Rocks Awards.
This is one of my favorite events at NAMM, as a female sound engineer. It’s the only place I’ve been where I can meet women with similar skills and challenges. I’m lucky that my workplace is extremely supportive of my mixing, but there are rare times when bands and tour mangers are not. She Rocks honors performers and all the female techs behind the scenes. Politics and the fires were strongly spoken of, it was an emotional, intense, and magical night.
PHOTO BY Scott Mitchell Copyright 2025 scottmitchellphotography.smugmug.com 1.25.25
Lindsey Stirling I’m convinced is some kind of fairy sprite. Her energy never seems to wane, and she seems very sweet. Stitched Up Heart did a high energy set with flawless hair flips! Aijia and Andy Grammer did some very sweet music. This is some great songwriting.
Guitar legend Jennifer Batten was there, who toured with Michael Jackson. Samantha Fish did a great rock song. Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls, who was very intense, did a poignant acoustic song on piano.
You could feel the whole room fill up with respect for Paula Cole. Her voice was as strong as ever, as she performed “I Don’t Wanna Wait.” She went on to speak with hope and inspiration, reminding folks that the lowest parts of your life when you want to give up, are the moments you’ve got to push forward.
Watch all of the She Rocks Awards HERE!
Make plans for NEXT year’s NAMM Show
Tue, Jan 21, 2025 – Sun, Jan 26, 2025!
Have questions or comments? Email me.
