Page 27 - ION Indie Magazine MARCHAPRIL 2020 Issue

MARTY HAVIIK: Did you know that NAMM started in 1901 with only 52 members? They were
originally called National Piano Manufacturers Association of America and in 1919 and “NAMM”
became the official association title, and it was renamed to the National Association of Music
Merchants (NAMM). In 2020, NAMM celebrated its 119th year anniversary. This year also marks my
10th year attending the world largest music trade show on the planet. I presented the full NAMM
history in the March/April 2019 edition of ION Indie Magazine. Check it out here:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/online.flipbuilder.com/dxlv/fluo/index.html#p=20

NAMM 2020 was huge! In fact, it was so massive that it took two of us from ION Indie Magazine to
tackle the 1,600,000 square feet of music-magical sounds, sights, and smells. I’ve often thought about
how it’s virtually impossible for one person to properly represent all that NAMM offers. Thus, joining
me on this excursion was ION new photojournalist and our resident California girl, Courtney Ludwig.

Once we met up at our designated NAMM meeting spot, Courtney and I devised a plan – and that
was, to have NO plan but to enjoy the event. We decided to take the approach of “divide and concur”
and see what NAMM 2020 revealed to us. With so much to see and as ION is a magazine and not an
encyclopedia, we are keeping our report short. Instead, we will present our NAMM 2020 experience
through the eyes of our lenses.

Each morning we met in the lobby and checked in with each other -- then we were off and running,
each doing our own thing. NAMM 2020 presented an abundance of exciting and talented up-and-
coming artists and bands – along with the latest in musical equipment and technology. Our
conclusion? The future of music looks promising!

COURTNEY LUDWIG: I ventured through the throngs of people in anticipation of the new
experiences and acquaintances that awaited me. I first found myself in the guitar section, which
boasted a kaleidoscope of different colors, types, and brands. I was soon immersed in a wall of
mesmerizing sound, as the air vibrated due to the humming of the instruments as they were
sporadically strummed and plucked by NAMM-goers, all eager to test out the array of strings. I then
wove my way to the drum area (which I heard before I saw). It was predictably chaotic and loud, as
dueling drumsticks connected with cymbals and toms. The convention was virtually buzzing due to all
the people helping themselves to the smorgasbord of instruments…any musician’s dream!

I watched as animated vendors enthusiastically hawked their products, demonstrating their various
features and the innovative new developments. The atmosphere was one of heightened excitement
and was also one of fellowship in music…both friendly and upbeat. Even as I took a break to catch a
bite to eat, I made new friends who asked to sit with me at my table where we shared our NAMM “war
stories” and discoveries – the common denominator being our shared passion for music.