NAMM Oral History Program posts 5,000th interview

Kevin McGinty, Opry audio engineer, shares wit and wisdom

By Preshias Harris

It seems hard to believe, but NAMM has been around for more than a hundred and twenty years.  The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) was founded in 1901 with a mission to strengthen the music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music.

Since those early days, NAMM has achieved national (and now international) acclaim, not only for the stunning annual music industry trade shows, but increasingly for the development of relevant educational programs for NAMM members. NAMM also focuses on promoting music education as a right for all children in the face of cutbacks at school districts nationwide.

2000 saw the launch of the NAMM Oral History Program with the stated goal of preserving the rich history of the music industry through first-person accounts of the people with the hands-on experience in music product creation, pro audio, live sound, entertainment technology, recording artists and more.

The NAMM Oral History Program recently celebrated an amazing milestone: their 5,000th interview.  Think about that: it’s an achievement that would be the envy of any television network, but as a project produced with the sole focus on the music industry, it’s even more remarkable.

Grand Ole Opry audio engineer Kevin McGinty

In this special 5,000th edition, the program features Kevin McGinty, famed audio engineer, and Front of House for the Grand Ole Opry that presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville.

Continue reading “NAMM Oral History Program posts 5,000th interview”

Summer NAMM 19 rocked Nashville

An in-depth immersion in the music industry

By Preshias Harris

L to R: Jess Farmer, Heidi Newfield, Mikayla Lane. Jess and Mikayla were excited to know that she has a new album fixing to drop in just a few short weeks. Photo: Preshias Harris

Summer NAMM 2019 is now one for the history books, but once again, it was a three-day ‘Musical Mecca’ for anyone whose life revolves around the world of music.

I was there for all three days at Nashville’s Music City Center. Although I have attended Summer NAMM many times (and occasionally the even larger ‘winter’ NAMM in Anaheim, California) it was a joy to experience the excitement through the eyes and ears of the emerging singers and songwriters who accompanied me to this year’s event.

The Make Music Experience

NAMM is a trade-only business show catering to domestic and international dealers and distributors.  However, for the second year running, Saturday was designated the ‘Make Music Experience,’ an all-day, all-access event for music enthusiasts to demo the latest music and pro audio gear from top manufacturers.

Once again, the Make Music Experience was a ‘Who’s Who’ of Nashville’s musical talent with well-known recording artists and musicians mingling with the non-pro visitors who were able to get a taste of what the music industry is all about.

Lee Roy Parnell at the Gibson booth. Photo: Catrina Engelby

Continue reading “Summer NAMM 19 rocked Nashville”

How to build community with YouTube

Official Artist Channels ‘pull it all together’

YouTube wants artists and musicians to build a home on their platform. And they’re telling you how to do it.

YouTube made a concerted effort to reach music creators with PowerPoint presentations at both Music Biz 2018 and Summer NAMM in recent weeks. The company is aware that both music creators and music listeners/viewers are increasingly seeing YouTube as a go-to music platform. In the presentation titled ‘Creating a Home for Music on YouTube,’ the company showed how artists and songwriters can effectively showcase their work and connect and engage with fans.

Benefits of your own Official Artist Channel

The key, according to YouTube’s Nathan Sheppard*, is building and maintaining your Official Artist Channel (OAC).  Most music creators probably have some kind of presence on YouTube, perhaps even their own channel.  But YouTube believes that your OAC can be your prime marketing tool – if you take advantage of all its possibilities.

Among the benefits of a fully-functioning OAC:

  • ‘Direct to Fan’ features: Your OAC unites your full body of work under one banner. Your fans and followers now have a single place to subscribe.
  • Attribution: Visitors will see a music note icon next your name (or your OAC name) so they know everything posted here comes officially from you.
  • Search optimization: When visitors search for any of your output on YouTube, your OAC shows up at the top.

The parts of an OAC

As Nathan pointed out, an OAC isn’t a new channel. It is a new layout that can be used on any channel that is owned and operated by you the artist, your management or your record label. He showed the ‘parts’ of an OAC: Continue reading “How to build community with YouTube”

‘Make Music Experience’ set for June 30

Summer NAMM’s special day for music ‘prosumers’

It’s almost time for the once-a-year opportunity for everyone who can’t wait to get their hands (and ears) on the latest musical instruments, tech gear and accessories. The 2018 Summer NAMM Show will be in town and has a special day on the program just for you.

On Saturday, June 30, Summer NAMM will host the ‘Make Music Experience’ at Nashville’s Music City Center. It’s an all-day, all-access pass for the prosumer audience to trial the latest music and pro audio gear from top manufacturers.  (Scroll down to order tickets online and save 50% off the ‘at-the-door’ price.)

You can participate in career-enhancing educational sessions, demo products and enjoy fun, interactive events and performances.  You can also enjoy live music with Lillie Mae, MONA and the Delta Saints on the outdoor stage.

‘Open Mic’ at Martin Guitar booth

If you are a ukulele or guitar player (and you need a cool new tee shirt) here’s an exciting opportunity for you.  On this day, Martin Guitar invites guitar and uke players of all levels to perform at Summer NAMM at the Martin Guitar and Strings Open Mic event. Attendees will be able to sign-up to perform a song during the Martin Open Mic at the convention center and everyone who plays will receive a Martin T-shirt, a set of Martin strings, and be entered to win a Martin Guitar. Martin Guitar is at booth #801.

Fender: ‘start playing in minutes’

Looking to improve your playing?  Fender Play is the easiest way to learn guitar and ukulele, featuring your favorite music and the techniques you need to start playing in minutes. Watch hundreds of high-quality video lessons to master new skills. Plus join an exclusive community of like-minded players and professional instructors. Learn more here –  and start a free trial. Visit Fender at the main Fender booth #943 or in the breezeway off 8th Ave.

Summer NAMM file photo

During the ‘Make Music Experience,’ you can also attend a variety networking events, receptions and educational events. Topics include Songwriting, Recording, Marketing and PR, Licensing, Live Sound, House of Worship and Software Development.

You can save 50% off the cost of the ‘Make Music Experience’ ticket price.  Buy tickets for only $10.00 online here  or pay $20.00 at the door.  Either way, it’s a bargain for anyone with a serious interest in music.

NAMM is the National Association of Music Merchants. More info at the NAMM Make Music Experience website.

 Preshias Harris  is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at   www.collegeofsongology.com  Follow her blog at  www.nashvillemusicline.com

Finding ‘lost’ online music income

Music news digest for May 7 -11

  • CMG finds ‘lost’ online revenue for musicians
  • Amazon Prime bumps up annual rates to $119.00
  • MusicBiz 2018 hits Nashville, May 14 – 17
  • NAMM’s ‘Make Music Experience,’ June 30
  • Vinyl album sales on the rise – again

Scroll down to read these news items

CMG finds ‘lost’ online revenue for musicians

If you are a recording artist or songwriter and you believe that your precious copyrighted intellectual property – e.g. your songs – are being utilized illegally online, you might want to know about a company called Create Music Group (CMG). The company started out tracking down and collecting revenues from music posted at YouTube and continues to do that successfully.

They have also expanded to locate other overlooked opportunities in the music business such as mixtape monetization and are moving into creating original video content.  According to an interview in Billboard (04/21/2018) CMG uses software to identify clips that have used music without permission. They can then claim the client’s ownership and monetize views with advertising. Their patented software can detect parts of unlicensed songs that have been minimally sped up or slowed down to escape YouTube’s own internal rights-tracking system. Find info on CMG here.

Amazon Prime bumps up annual rates to $119.00

If you are an Amazon Prime member, stand by for a rate hike. Membership increases to $119.00 annually for new subscribers; existing subscribers will be notified of the increase when their membership is due for renewal after June 16. Amazon does not anticipate a drop in membership as a result of the increase.  Purchases by non-Prime members actually decreased year-over-year while Prime purchases increased. Amazon is investing more in digital video and music available only to Prime members with 2018 spending estimated at $5 billion.  See more at Variety here.

MusicBiz 2018 hits Nashville, May 14 – 17

MusicBiz 2018 is only days away and 2,000+ attendees are expected to be here in Nashville for what organizers call ‘the four most important days on the music industry calendar.’ Scheduled for May 14 – 17, 2018, the seminar will cover topics such as Career Development Workshops, Entertainment Technology & Law, Indie Artist and Songwriter Forum, Music Business Educators Meetup, Music and Money, and more. Presenters will include some of the most respected and successful people in the music industry. If you’re interested in attending (I’ll be there!) you’d better hurry!  Find out more or register to attend here.

NAMM’s ‘Make Music Experience,’ June 30

…and hot on the heels of MusicBiz 2018, It will be time for the National Association of Music Merchants’ Summer NAMM in Nashville. On Saturday June 30 at Music City Center, Summer NAMM will host the inaugural Make Music Experience, an all-day, all-access pass for consumer and prosumer audiences who want to demo the latest music and pro audio gear, meet with top music manufacturers, and explore career-enhancing education and networking opportunities with the music industry’s top insiders.

The Make Music Experience day is an invitation to musicians, songwriters, music educators and students, as well as sound and studio professionals to experience the members-only Summer NAMM show, the annual mid-year gathering of the music products and pro audio industry, June 28-30 in Nashville. NAMM will open the doors to the trade-only event for MME’s full itinerary of professional workshops, opportunities to see and demo the latest in new gear from leading music brands, and a day full of live performances and events connecting music-makers of all skill levels.

Tickets to the Make Music Experience are now available for $10 online at www.namm.org/mme and will be available at the door for $20 on Saturday, June 30. Hours are 10AM to 5PM. Info and updates here.

Vinyl album sales on the rise – again

The vinyl sector of the music business continues to spin upwards. In 2017, vinyl album sales rose 9 percent to 14.3 million units in the USA. This was the twelfth straight year that album sales increased and the 2017 increase was the greatest since Nielsen Music began tracking album sales data. Understandably, growing interest in vinyl has resulted in increased sales of turntables. But demand has also meant more business for record pressing plants, including Jack White’s Third Man Records vinyl pressing facility in Detroit. Many more current artists are now releasing vinyl versions of new albums.  More details plus a list of the top selling vinyl albums in 2017, courtesy of Billboard, here.

Preshias Harrisis a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com

It’s NAMM Show time again!

Music Industry Day will be open to the public

The 2017 NAMM Show is heading back to Nashville’s Music City Center, July 13-15, and is set to welcome a variety of music legends including Charley Pride.  As always, it will be a ‘must’ event for members of Nashville’s music community.

The National Association of Music Merchants Inc (NAMM) will be showcasing a complete product landscape while celebrating the local community music store and honoring the industry’s Top 100 Dealers. The annual summer gathering of the music product, pro audio and entertainment tech community brings together top brands, professional development sessions and an opportunity to network with peers, with Music City as the backdrop.

Charley Pride set for July 7

Charley Pride. Photo: Ben DeRienzo

This year’s show will feature a special performance from country music pioneer and multi-Grammy® award winner, Charley Pride, who will release his new album, “Music in My Heart” on July 7. Pride continues to perform concerts worldwide and will perform on Saturday, July 15 at 1:00 p.m. on the NAMM Reverb Stage on the Terrace as part of the show’s Music Industry Day.

Attendance at NAMM trade shows is restricted to owners, suppliers, employees, endorsed artists and guests of NAMM member companies. However, on the final day, July 15, NAMM is open to the public and welcomes and invites musicians, songwriters, sound and recording professionals, music educators and students to experience Music Industry Day. There will be a chance to attend workshops, check out the new gear and enjoy artist performances.

Music Industry Day offered a once-a-year opportunity to demo new music instruments and products, attend workshops, enjoy live performances, and network with industry leaders at Summer NAMM, an exclusive, trade-only event.  You may pick up your Summer NAMM Music Industry Day passes at Badge Will Call beginning at 9 am on Saturday, July 15. Passes are $10 in advance; $20 on the day of the event. All sales are final.  To purchase tickets and to read details about NAMM’s Music Industry Day, click here.

Music Career Workshops at NAMM Show

In addition to musical instrument and product demos from more than 1,600 music product brands, Music Industry Day features workshops designed to bolster careers in music. Learn more here … But wait, there’s more! The 34th Annual American Eagle Awards, presented by the National Music Council, brought major star power to NAMM’s Music Industry Day. The awards honor individuals and institutions that have made comprehensive contributions to musical life in America. More about the National Music Council here.

Summer NAMM 2016 wows Nashville

Charlie Daniels headlines NAMM opener

Summer NAMM 2016 is finally history, and thousands of musicians and music industry executives filled Nashville’s Music City Center to browse the hundreds of exhibits and see what’s new. In fact, according to the show’s organizers, 14,055 industry professionals registered for Summer NAMM, a 1% increase over 2015 and 14% over 2014.  Of that, international attendees accounted for 12% growth over 2015, and 59% growth since 2014, making for the largest number of international participants at Summer NAMM in over a decade.

The week kicked off with a pre-show party. D’Addario, the Farmingdale, New York-based manufacturer of guitar strings and other musical accessories, hosted their sixth annual invite-only pre-NAMM party at Soundcheck rehearsal studios in Nashville. With Tennessee BBQ along with beer and whiskey, authorized dealers and endorsers enjoyed music from Stephen Mougin’s Bluegrass All-Stars, resonator guitar virtuoso Rob Ickes and guitarist Trey Hensley, ambient looper William Tyler and the Andy Wood Trio.

Charlie Daniels Band gave 2016 Summer NAMM attendees an unforgettable performance from the NAMM Nissan Terrace Stage.
Charlie Daniels Band gave 2016 Summer NAMM attendees an unforgettable performance from the NAMM Nissan Terrace Stage.

The music continued on Thursday, when attendees were treated to a blistering set from the legendary Charlie Daniels Band, performing on the NAMM Nissan Terrace Stage.

As in previous years, Summer NAMM provided a robust platform for buyers, exhibitors and professionals to engage with the latest products, learn new business strategies, connect with other industry peers, and to position their businesses for a successful second half of the year.

The show counted a variety of new and returning exhibitors including Dunlop, Ernie Ball, Fender, Ovation, and Pearl, among many others, and with Summer NAMM veterans like Martin, Peavey, Roland, Sabian, Taylor, Yamaha, and Zildjian returning to showcase their latest gear.  This year’s show saw a rise in exhibitors with 1,650 brands represented by 517 exhibitors, an increase of 5% over 2015.

On Saturday, the doors were opened to music industry professionals for a record-setting Music Industry Day with nearly 1,800 attendees, an increase of 1% over 2015. Early in the afternoon, country rocker and “The Voice” winner of season seven, Craig Wayne Boyd, performed for the day’s attendees.

Summer NAMM American Eagle Awards

Emmylou Harris and Vince Gill, honorees, along with the Grand Ole Opry, at the 2016 American Eagle Awards, presented during the Summer NAMM show.
Emmylou Harris and Vince Gill, honorees, along with the Grand Ole Opry, at the 2016 American Eagle Awards, presented during the Summer NAMM show.

In the Davidson Ballroom, the 33rd Annual American Eagle Awards honored Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and the Grand Ole Opry. The awards annually recognize individuals that have made significant contributions to music in America.

When it comes to new products, there were a great many to be seen in every area. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) showed several new additions to their industry-leading amplifier and accessories categories including of the ’57 Custom Tweed series of guitar amplifiers and the Bassman 800 amp.  In addition, Fender debuted the ShawBucker 1 and 2 Humbucking Pickups and FTN-1 Tuner.

One of the more unusual items came from young entrepreneur Hunter Marlowe, a recent graduate of MTSU. It’s the Jambourine: the world’s first sound hole tambourine for acoustic guitars. It slips easily behind the guitar strings in the sound hole, allowing the guitarist to add an extra dimension to his or her picking or strumming.

AMV Sales showed a number of unique instruments, including a cigar box guitar and ‘Rozanna’s Butterfly Dream Fuschia’ student violin that can be customized with school colors.

Additionally, there were many other new items as well as familiar instruments, equipment and accessories from the world’s leading musical manufacturers.

Music industry pros are already marking their calendars for next year’s shows: January 19-22, 2017 in Anaheim, CA, and July 13-15, 2017 in Nashville, TN.

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Note: Some information in this report originated in the official post-show summary found at NAMM’s website https://www.namm.org/summer/2016 where visitors can learn more about the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and their activities.

Women set to rock Music City

She Rocks finalistsWho says women can’t rock? Not me, and not the Women’s International Music Network (WiMN) who have announced the finalists selected to perform at the 2016 She Rocks Summer NAMM Showcase, taking place Thursday, June 23, 2016, from 8:30-11:00 p.m., at The Listening Room Cafe in Nashville, Tenn., during the 2016 Summer NAMM trade show. Tickets are available here.

At that show, the audience will get to see singer-songwriter Ashley Riley, 13-year-old singer Juliana Wilson, jazz vocalist and guitarist Leni Stern, and singer-songwriter Savannah Lynne. The performers were chosen based on their submissions to thewimn.com

Continue reading “Women set to rock Music City”

Summer NAMM 2016 in Nashville

I’m looking forward to attending the 2016 Summer NAMM show, set for June 23 – 25 at the Nashville Music City Center. The National Association of Music Merchants Inc (NAMM) will once again be showcasing a complete product landscape while celebrating the local community music store and honoring the industry’s Top 100 Dealers. Attendance at NAMM trade shows is restricted to owners, suppliers, employees, endorsed artists and guests of NAMM member companies. However, on the final day, June 25, NAMM invites musicians, songwriters, sound and recording professionals, music educators and students to experience Music Industry Day. There’ll be a chance to attend workshops, check out the new gear and enjoy artist performances. Music Industry Day tickets are $20.00 at the door or $10.00 purchased in advance at http://www.NAMM.org/musicindustryday