A new, state-of-the-art venue, more brands and major buying power built to a lively crescendo as the music product industry converged in Nashville for the largest Summer NAMM in five years. NAMM members celebrated the move to Nashville’s Music City Center conducting brisk business, but also taking in the many opportunities to learn from peers and industry icons, while networking with the leaders of the global music product world.

This past weekend, at the close of its most successful NAMM Show yet, the National Association of Music Merchants’ NAMM Foundation unveiled its new public service announcement campaign, “Just Play.” The spot will air this spring in a multi-media, national campaign that will include ads for television, radio, billboards, bus shelters, airports, malls and anywhere one can hear, think about or play music.

“I believe that there are two kinds of people in the world, those who play music and those who wish they did,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. “This PSA is designed for the latter.”

By Dan Grigor

I got to do something this year that I have been meaning to do for a long time. In January I spent a few hours at the Two Old Hippies booth at NAMM. There was so much fun stuff to look at there I never got to cross the line from Bedell to Breedlove. I guess we’ll have to go back.

Click through for a video and to read about another Bedell beauty!

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) announced that tickets are now available for the general public and music enthusiasts of all ages to get a peek at Nashville’s hottest and most exclusive musical instrument and product extravaganza during Public Day, being held at the Nashville Convention Center on Saturday, July 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. during 2012 Summer NAMM.

Tickets for “Public Day” cost only $15 at the door for live music, a rare look at new music-making technologies and interactive musician workshops. Don’t miss this chance to learn from top industry professionals and get an exclusive look at the latest and greatest! Tickets can also be purchased online by clicking here.

Click through for a schedule of events!

by Ric Tortorete

I could have spent all day playing around in the drum rooms at NAMM. There was so much to see. I had heard about some new toys from Vater. They’re called StickMates and just wait ’til you see these. I hooked up with Mark from Vater and he showed us the cool new stuff. Known more for their durability and comfort Vater sticks always deliver for me personally and though I use others I like the little extra length and durability of a Vater stick.

Click through for more and a video interview!

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Each year, at NAMM, we look forward to viewing the latest innovations, those presenting their new products to the music industry for the first time. This year we again found the wacky, the wonderful, and some stuff that is just plain wrong. We also found one of the coolest drum sets you will ever see. It started in the press room.

Click through for the rest of the story and to see and hear these drums!