My first NAMM Show ended yesterday. What an experience! It felt like the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame had beamed over its stars to Anaheim California. It was crowded, it was loud, it was colorful, it was fun. See what I saw, at least some of it. And make sure you watch until the end, I saved the best for last.

The NAMM Show Experience

Can you imagine four days in a convention center vis-à-vis Disneyland, packed with the newest instruments, tech products and prototypes? The NAMM Show is the world’s largest trade-only event for the music industry. This year it drew over 100.000 people to Anaheim. Big business was made behind closed doors, excellent music was made by hundreds on various stages at the convention canter, as well as in the nearby hotels, such as the Hilton, the Marriot and the Sheraton.

Drummers were able to greet their heroes as they were strolling through the aisles, checking out the hottest stuff, just like everybody else. I saw Bernard Purdie, James Gadson, Billy Cobham, Gerry Brown, Marvin Smitty Smith, John Blackwell, Dennis Chambers, Mike Terrana, Randy Black and many more. In some booths autograph sessions took place, such as the one with Questlove at the Ludwig booth. You could also catch drumming performances: Gregg Bissonette at the Dixon booth for example or Chad Smith at the Sabian After Party. Oh and then of course there were Vinnie, JR and Nicko presenting new cymbals at the Paiste press conference as nobody else could do.

What’s new?

Well, nothing revolutionary. There now is a hybrid E-Cajon by Roland. There now also is a high-quality starter kit for kids: the new Ludwig Pocket Kit by Questlove. And if you strike your bass drum with a dw-pedal, you now can stomp louder – with the Renzi Advanced Heel Pedestal System. Finally there are some Keith Moon Signature Sticks available – Vic Firth made them. Nicko McBrain is the latest addition to the Sonor artist roster. And Glen Sobel switched from “M” to “D” – the Alice Cooper Drummer now rocks on DW Drums. Speaking of “M”, Mapex has a new drum series called Storm. Yamaha remodeled their legendary Recording Custom together with Steve Gadd. DW’s Direct Drive Pedals are now available with chain. Pearl introduced the Masters Maple Reserve Series. Sabian’s new cymbal series is called XSR, Zildjian’s came out with the S-Series and Paiste, among other cymbals, introduced the 2002 Big Beat Series. Of course there was more, but visit you favorite music store in the next months and just check out the innovations of the year. But at first you should enjoy my video!

Stay on or by(e),
Yours Cat

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