Lovers of Music Invited to ‘Wanna Play Music Day’ at 2011 Summer NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) announced June 13 that tickets are now available for Nashville’s hottest musical instrument and product extravaganza called “Wanna Play Music Day” being held at the Nashville Convention Center on Saturday, July 23 during 2011 Summer NAMM. Tickets for “Wanna Play Day” cost $15 in advance through July 8 in advance or $20 at the door.

The trade-only Summer NAMM show is opening its doors to the Nashville community for a one day sneak-peak (no purchases) at more than 350 exhibits featuring the industry’s hottest music products yet to hit the market—from guitars and keyboards to DJ gear and pro audio and lighting products. The event will also offer a jam-packed schedule of hands-on educational music-making sessions, clinics and special events led by local and national music industry insiders and celebrities.

Local musicians are also encouraged to bring in a CD of their best original song to have the Editor-In-Chief of Guitar Player magazine listen to it and consider the song for inclusion on a “Wanna Play Music Day” compilation CD produced by Guitar Player Records. In addition, attendees can purchase tickets to see Guitar Player magazine’s “Guitar Superstar” event featuring five Guitar Superstar finalists from this year’s online guitar-playing competition who will battle it out in front of a panel of celebrity judges to win the Guitar Superstar 2011 crown. The event will be hosted by Larry Carlton, and the judges will include Reeves Gabrels, Carl Verheyen and Muriel Anderson.

Musicians and promising musicians are encouraged to attend valuable workshops and educational sessions in the categories of Technology, Musicians and Pro Audio, including:

Technology

♦ Learning the Basics of Garage Band: Learn how to create professional recordings using this software application.

♦ Logic Pro 101: Hands-On Test Drive: Learn how to use this application to record, edit and mix music.

♦ Home Studio Technology for Songwriters: Hear from professional songwriters about how they use computers and the latest technology in their home studios.

Musicians

♦ Get More Gigs!: Learn from some of Nashville’s busiest musicians about how you can get more gigs and what it takes to turn your talent into a career.

♦ The Mysteries of Writing Great Songs: Hear from a panel of top Nashville songwriters about the elements of successful and memorable songs. Moderated by Bay Area singer/songwriter Katie Garibaldi.

♦ Vintage Keys, Modern Software: Join Keyboard Editor Stephen Fortner as he explains how famous vintage keyboard instruments, including the B3, the Rhodes, Wruly, and Clav, work. Then hear how the latest, greatest software clones emulate these instruments.

Pro Audio

♦ Building the Professional Demo Studio: Learn techniques from top studio designers and studio owners for setting up the best room to create a professional demo studio.

♦ Vocal Miking: Hear from top Nashville engineers and producers Ben Folds, Chuck Ainlay and Nathan Chapman as they run down the vocal recording process from mic and preamp selection to working with all types of talent.

The day will also feature informational master clinics, including:

♦ A presentation by former New York Yankee baseball legend and Latin-GRAMMY nominated guitarist Bernie Williams, who will speak, play guitar and sign copies of his new book.

♦ A clinic with Dick Boak of Martin Guitars, who will present “The Evolution of the American Guitar.”

Exciting musical events will also take place during “Wanna Play Day,” including the eleventh annual World’s Fastest Drummer competition. This highly-charged interactive event will be taking place each day of the trade show, and is only accessible to the public on July 23 with a “Wanna Play Day” ticket. Attendees that day will get a chance to compete and possibly move to the finals that evening when the top-ten Fastest Hands and top-ten Fastest Feet go head-to-head.

The World’s Fastest Drummer competition has been featured at The Vans Warped Tour, OzzFest and on most major networks including ESPN, FOX Sports, MTV, Vh1, ABC, BBC, PBS and CNN. The event is the official ruling and certification organization for Guinness World Records.

In addition that day, attendees can participate in hands-on music making by joining the drum and ukulele circles.

Summer NAMM’s “Wanna Play Music Day” is also presented by Guitar Player, Bass Player, Keyboard, Electronic Musician and Modern Drummer magazines. For more information, visit NAMM.