This past weekend was the biggest music convention in California. The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM. The organization's popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $16 billion global musical instruments and products industry. NAMM's activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 8,000 Member companies.
Cool exhibits were everywhere at NAMM 2006, held at the Anaheim Convention Center. It was the place to be for anyone lucky enough to belong to this industry. Miles of aisles feature the newest, state-of-the-art music products, as well established classics and hot, up-and-coming innovations from every company you have heard of and many you haven't, all under one roof!
The NAMM Show is always an unforgettable event, with more than 65,000 registrants packing the aisles of the Anaheim Convention Center to check out the latest gear and what's in STORE for 2006. The show is a star studded event with endorsing musicians posing for pictures with show attendees and journalists from throughout the world coming to cover the new instruments unveiled.
Our journey started by checkin out "Daisy Rock Girl Guitar's," I've never seen such cute Lil' guitar's. 
They kind of reminded me of a mini Les Paul, just pink, purple and powder blue in shapes of stars, hearts and flowers. All very light weight, simply adorable! Holding one made me fell like a "rock star" and want to become a guitar player! Ok maybe a little crazy for me, but it did get me to log on their site www.daisyrock.com and entry to win one! Check Daisy Rock Girl Guitars out, you'll luv em!
How about MINARIK GUITARS? I hope everyone got a chance to make it downstairs to see the Flying V 9-string, which is 1/2 6-string and 1/2 12-string. Their most technically, most innovative guitar since the Inferno. Or maybe you saw one of my favorites, the Goddess, Diablo or new Halo or Lotus models? I'm starting to get a few favorites now at Minarik Guitars, what's yours? Hey that's a great idea, maybe AAM should start a contest for Minarik Guitars (they are one of our major sponsors of the Annual AAM Awards Show). I'm sure Minarik Guitars would love to know what your favorite is too. Log on to www.minarikguitars.com to find your favorite and a dealer nearest you!
Onward and Upwards and over to the drum section we went! To find SABIAN right smack in the middle of them all celebrating 25 YEARS OF AWARD-WINNING INNOVATION! SABIAN, the award-winning cymbal company was founded in 1981 marking their 25th Anniversary in 2006.
Launched on the principle of 'The Finest Cymbals for the Finest Drummers,' the Canada-based company's dedication to quality and innovation quickly accelerated its growth from small beginnings to a best-selling brand in 120 countries around the world. Regularly cited as 'the most innovative', SABIAN has increased production to the point where it has become the world's largest manufacturer of cymbals, with a lineup including such category-leading innovative brands such as AAX, HHX, XS20 and Vault. Moving forward, they have continued to evolve and expand their ideas and techniques to meet the needs of today's drummers and percussionists. After 400 years of traditional cymbal making, SABIAN stepped in, and in a short 25 years this small, family-run business located in the wilds of eastern Canada transformed the art into one of the most dynamic and innovative of all music instrument industries. Congratulations SABIAN, looking forward to watching you shape the sound of music for another 25 years! Visit www.sabian.com.
Through the aisles and aisles of music products. Stopping to say hi to friends, business associates and of course, "Rock Stars". The flyers, business cards, brochures everyone networking what a blast! There was only one place to be this weekend and that was NAMM 2006!
Our new friends VATER, introduced their new VATER Nude Series, Monster Brush and Grip Tape and had an outstanding response. VATER products are available through any drum/music store. If your local store does not have a particular VATER product you're looking for, they can special order it for you. Check them out at www.vater.com.
Next we visited long time sponsor/friends, TAYE DRUM CO. and thank them again for 
sponsoring our Annual AAM.com Music Awards Show with the use of one of their kits. TAYE can put you in the Spotlight with 6 models, 4 styles and an extensive range of configurations and sizes. Key design elements such as tension lugs, tom clamps, mounting brackets and spurs are virtually the same throughout all 6 models. Their small, lightweight yet affordable drum set that performs like a pro kit but is priced at mid-entry level. You need to look no further, TAYE is the answer! Check out their website at www.tayedrums.com.
Did you happen to see that catchy drum set with the spinners at the ddrum both? Welcome to the new drum revolution with a line of percussion instruments so suited to the individual drummer that all others before it are irrelevant. New woods, exotic finishes, tour-ready kits and triggers, 
blurring the line between acoustic and electronic, and tone so distinct that is truly staggering! Yes in deed these "drums speak louder than words", the art of true craftsmanship is what you'll see and hear playing one of these! Join the revolution, www.ddrum.com
Yep the Food courts, booths, beverage counters, outdoor seating and aisles where packed all day, every day! Buyers, Exhibitors, Manufacturer's Rep's, Visitor's, Employees, Media and Rock Stars. As the weekend grew closer the crowd grew larger! Even Sunday when I thought there would be a smaller crowd due to the football playoffs, boy was I wrong! Football fanatics made time for it all! The best advise I could give you for next year is. Get here early and wear your most comfortable shoes!
