WU-TANG CLAN MASTERMIND RZA TO RECEIVE 2024 NAMM INNOVATION AWARD AT THE PRESTIGIOUS TEC AWARDS   Revered producer and the mastermind behind the influential hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, RZA (Robert Diggs) will be presented with the TEC Innovation Award at The NAMM Show’s 2024 TEC Awards on Saturday, January 27 in Anaheim, California. The award honors individuals that have set the highest standards of excellence in the creative application... 

The NAMM Foundation Launches Search for Next Executive Director NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global not-for-profit music trade organization, has announced a search for its next NAMM Foundation Executive Director to help fulfill its mission of strengthening the music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. The announcement follows the decision by Mary Luehrsen, the Foundation’s... 

MAKE MUSIC WINTER RETURNS ON WINTER SOLSTICE—WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21     Make Music Winter (MMW), a free outdoor musical celebration with exuberant and participatory parades, performances, and events throughout New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and dozens of U.S. cities, will return on the Winter Solstice, Wednesday, December 21, 2022. The annual event, happening on the shortest day (and longest night) of the year, welcomes people of all... 

T. GRAHAM BROWN AND HALFWAY TO HAZARD HOST ‘APPALACHIA RISES: COME HELL OR HIGH WATER’ TELETHON MONDAY, AUGUST 29TH FROM PRESTONSBURG, KY Monday, August 29th marks one month after disastrous rains tore apart multiple counties in the Appalachian mountains of Eastern Kentucky, killing at least 39 and displacing hundreds more, leaving catastrophic destruction in its wake. ‘Appalachia Rises: Come Hell or High Water’ will help address the ongoing... 

PLAN YOUR FINAL DAY, SUNDAY, JUNE 5 AT THE 2022 NAMM SHOW   Here’s our photo essay of things you saw, or missed, on the second day (Saturday) of NAMM 2022. ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 04: Legendary producer Peter Asher performs onstage at the 37th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards during 2022 NAMM Show at Anaheim Convention Center on June 04, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for NAMM) To... 

PLAN YOUR SATURDAY, JUNE 4 AT THE 2022 NAMM SHOW   ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 03: Kenny Loggins attends the 2022 NAMM Show Opening Day at Anaheim Convention Center on June 03, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for NAMM) Here’s our photo essay of some things you saw, or missed, on the first day of NAMM 2022 in Anaheim, CA.   Photo credit Getty Images for NAMM To make sure you see all that you can... 

PLAN YOUR FRIDAY, JUNE 3 NAMM SHOW 8:00 AM Breakfast of Champions and Music for Life Award Recipient Anaheim Hilton Pacific Ballroom   9:30 AM The 2022 NAMM Show Grand Opener: Disneyland Marching Band Anaheim Arena   12:00 PM The Artist and the Manufacturer: Tosin Abasi and Brian Ball Ballroom B, level 3 of Convention Center   1-3:00 PM Carmen Vandenberg (from Bones UK to Jeff Beck) – Blackstar Amplification, Booth #5723   3:00... 

THE 2022 NAMM SHOW AUDIENCE PROFILE For more than a century, The NAMM Show has a proven track record of attracting a global collective of buyers, influencers and media across industry segments, helping exhibitors kick-start their year with powerful connections. NAMM’s AUDIENCE GROUPS include: Independent Retailers Leading retailers, buying groups and NAMM’s Top 100 Dealers are ready to connect in person Pro Audio Studios and venue operators shop... 

The 2022 NAMM Show Reunite at the 2022 NAMM Show June 3-5 Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA   REGISTER: https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2022/badges      Read More →

Who Should Attend The NAMM Show? This Weekend   Friday, June 3 to Sunday June 5, 2022 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA If you are a member of NAMM or involved in any of the following fields, The NAMM Show is the place for you! NAMM Members Artists / Performers Aspiring Industry Professionals Distributors DJ House of Worship Influencers Installation / AV Live Event Production Manufacturers Manufacturer Reps Media Music Business Music... 

Mother’s Day Gift   BILLY CROCKETT & DIRJE CHILDS SIMPLE GIFTS Album Review Like a gentle spring rain after a long, hard winter, comes a sweet and unexpected surprise. Simple Gifts is a timely treasure of favorite hymns lovingly offered by master singer-songwriter, guitarist Billy Crockett and seasoned cellist Dirje Childs. These two well-respected musicians recently met and started recording for “the sheer joy of recording music”... 

JEFF FASANO Behind the Photos   TOMMY EMMANUEL   Today is the final day of Veteran photographer Jeff Fasano’s Kickstarter campaign—to publish his first fine-art book: AMERICANA PORTRAIT SESSIONS. For a $100 pledge, you can choose to get an autographed copy of his book and a choice of a signed B&W Silver Gelatin Print (one of six B&W photos). There are also options for one of three Color Fine Art Pigment Photo Prints. Today, we feature... 

JEFF FASANO Behind the Photos   THE WAR AND TREATY   Veteran photographer Jeff Fasano has 1 day to go for his Kickstarter campaign—to publish his first fine-art book: AMERICANA PORTRAIT SESSIONS. For a $100 pledge, you can choose to get an autographed copy of his book and a choice of a signed B&W Silver Gelatin Print (one of six B&W photos). There are also options for one of three Color Fine Art Pigment Photo Prints. Today, we feature... 

JEFF FASANO Behind the Photos   SHERYL CROW   Veteran photographer Jeff Fasano has 2 days to go for his Kickstarter campaign—to publish his first fine-art book: AMERICANA PORTRAIT SESSIONS. For a $100 pledge, you can choose to get an autographed copy of his book and a choice of a signed B&W Silver Gelatin Print (one of six B&W photos). There are also options for one of three Color Fine Art Pigment Photo Prints. Today, we feature... 

JEFF FASANO Behind the Photos MARTY STUART    Veteran photographer Jeff Fasano has only 3 days left with his Kickstarter campaign—to publish his first fine-art book: AMERICANA PORTRAIT SESSIONS. For a $100 pledge, you can choose to get an autographed copy of his book and a choice of a signed B&W Silver Gelatin Print (one of six B&W photos). There are also options for one of three Color Fine Art Pigment Photo Prints. Today, we feature... 

JEFF FASANO Behind the Photos   KRIS KRISTOFFERSON   Veteran photographer Jeff Fasano’s Kickstarter campaign ends in 4 days. He is set to publish his first fine-art book: AMERICANA PORTRAIT SESSIONS. You can be a part of this groundbreaking, comprehensive view of Americana music and its history. For a $100 pledge, you can choose to get an autographed copy of his book and a choice of a signed B&W Silver Gelatin Print (one of six B&W... 

JEFF FASANO Behind the Photos   JUDY COLLINS & STEPHEN STILLS   Veteran photographer Jeff Fasano has 5 days to go for his Kickstarter campaign—to publish his first fine-art book: AMERICANA PORTRAIT SESSIONS. For a $100 pledge, you can choose to get an autographed copy of his book and a choice of a signed B&W Silver Gelatin Print (one of six B&W photos). There are also options for one of three Color Fine Art Pigment Photo Prints.... 

JEFF FASANO Behind the Photos JOHN OATES   Veteran photographer Jeff Fasano has six (6) days to go for his Kickstarter campaign—to publish his first fine-art book: AMERICANA PORTRAIT SESSIONS. For a $100 pledge, you can choose to get an autographed copy of his book and a choice of a signed B&W Silver Gelatin Print (one of six B&W photos). There are also options for one of three Color Fine Art Pigment Photo Prints. Today, we feature the... 

NAMM 2022 “BELIEVE IN MUSIC” — VIRTUAL EVENT NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) is both a cultural melting pot and an extended family for music lovers all over the world. Actively engaging in corporate goodwill, the NAMM Foundation supports Save the Music, which has put music instruments into the hands of countless students in public schools. The organization’s spirit of inclusiveness and diversity was clearly present during... 

JEFF FASANO Behind the Photos   JEWEL Veteran photographer Jeff Fasano has 7 days to go for his Kickstarter campaign—to publish his first fine-art book: AMERICANA PORTRAIT SESSIONS. For a $100 pledge, you can choose to get an autographed copy of his book and a choice of a signed B&W Silver Gelatin Print of one of 6 B&W photos. There are also options for one of 3 Color Fine Art Pigment Photo Prints. Today, we feature the back story of... 

JEFF FASANO Behind the Photos   CHRIS & RICH ROBINSON (of The Black Crowes):   Veteran photographer Jeff Fasano has 8 days to go for his Kickstarter campaign—to publish his first fine-art book: AMERICANA PORTRAIT SESSIONS. For as little as a $100 pledge, you can choose to get an autographed copy of his book and a choice of a signed B&W silver gelatin print of one of 6 B&W photos. There are also options for one of 3 Color Fine... 

JEFF FASANO KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN FOR AMERICANA PORTRAIT SESSIONS FINE-ART BOOK Veteran photographer Jeff Fasano is one of our main photographers here at M Music & Musicians magazine and he just launched a Kickstarter campaign to publish his first fine-art book: AMERICANA PORTRAIT SESSIONS. For every generation, a photographer emerges who captures the essence of the soul of the music that defines that generation. Jeff Fasano’s indelible images... 

CASIO America – Livestream NAMM’s Believe in Music Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 10 AM Pacific Join CASIO America’s Livestream at NAMM’s Believe in Music this Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 10 AM Pacific. From the beginner to the seasoned professional, Casio’s portable keyboards and digital pianos are designed to meet and exceed the needs of any musician. For over 40 years, Casio has introduced ground-breaking instruments such as... 

CONCERT REVIEW OF TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA by Rodeo Marie Hanson TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA’S CHRISTMAS EVE AND OTHER STORIES 2021 TOUR Live performance of debut that raised the standard for concept albums, a feast for the auditory and visual senses on 25th anniversary of release Twenty-five years ago, lyricist, composer, producer and impresario Paul O’Neill had a dream to create great art that just might catch on if luck allowed. O’Neill... 

REVIEW OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021 CONCERT by Rodeo Marie Hanson CHRISTMAS WITH LIZ LONGLEY, SCOTT MULVAHILL & BILLY CROCKETT AT BLUE ROCK—ALSO TONIGHT, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17 The Holidays have several thematic elements and reason for celebration—all of which are abundantly clear with Blue Rock Studio’s Christmas concert featuring singer-songwriters Liz Longley, Scott Mulvahill and Billy Crockett. From reminiscing about family to reflecting... 

MAKE MUSIC WINTER RETURNS DECEMBER 21 Free, Participatory Musical Celebration Welcomes All on the Winter Solstice Make Music Winter, a FREE outdoor musical celebration with exuberant and participatory parades, performances, and events throughout New York and in dozens of U.S. cities, will return on the Winter Solstice, TUESDAY, December 21. The annual event welcomes people of all ages and musical abilities to celebrate the joy of making music with... 

COOL NIGHTS 21 FROM BLUE ROCK STUDIO—LIVE STREAMING CONCERTS EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT October 21 through December 16-17 at 7:30 PM CDT   Join LIVE Streaming Concerts from Blue Rock Studio every Thursday featuring national recording artists: Nobody’s Girl (BettySoo, Grace Pettis & Rebecca Loebe), Willy Porter, Jonathan Byrd & the Pickup Cowboys, Ordinary Elephant, Eliza Gilkyson, Peter Mulvey, The Band of Heathens’ Ed Jurdi & Gordy... 

Cool Nights 2020 starts this THURSDAY (October 29). You can buy a Season Pass for only $105. Single concert tickets cost $25: https://bluerocktexas.com/events DARDEN SMITH kicks things off at 7:30 PM CDT. He’s co-founder and creative director of “SongwritingWith:Soldiers,” bringing songwriters together with active duty and veteran soldiers to create songs from their experiences of combat and returning home. “I used to think I didn’t wear... 

THE PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW SELECTION TO ITS   PALEY FRONT ROW SERIES: COACHELLA: 20 YEARS IN THE DESERT  Paley Front Row Series is Part of Paley@Home Presented by Citi Get an insider’s view. The Paley Center for Media today announced a new selection to its Paley Front Row series: Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert. The conversation featuring the creative team behind the YouTube Originals documentary was made available for view on... 

Book Review Behind the Boards: Nashville By Jake Brown [Music Square Media/Baker & Taylor] Intimate. In-depth. Superbly satisfying. Behind the Boards: Nashville is a treasure trove for aspiring engineers and producers. Anyone who loves Country music and the craft that has gone into making some of the greatest songs the world has ever known will find this book an undeniable must-have for their collection. Practical, as well as entertaining, award-winning... 

Blue Rock aLIVE! – every Thursday night this Summer: Virtual Concert Series, July 9 – August 27 at 7:30 PM CDT Join Blue Rock Studio’s Virtual Concert Series featuring Austin’s own: Ruthie Foster, Matt the Electrician, Tina & Walt Wilkins, David Ramirez, Carrie Rodriguez, Billy Crockett, Danny Schmidt & Carrie Elkin, and Terri Hendrix with Lloyd Maines. For Blue Rock aLIVE! Virtual Concert Series Tickets and SEASON PASSES, go to:... 

Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio Songwriting Retreat If you’ve ever entertained the idea of attending a songwriting retreat, or perhaps recording your next album at a destination studio, you’re in for a treat. Nestled deep in the heart of Texas Hill Country is a precious, one-of-a-kind, hidden gem.  Imagine stumbling upon an ornate treasure box filled with rare and unexpected delights and wonders. That’s Texas Hill Country. Now picture yourself... 

The 2019 NAMM Show Media Preview Day – ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 23: Orianthi attends the 2019 NAMM Show Media Preview Day at the Anaheim Convention Center on January 23, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM) Photo Credit – Getty Images for NAMM Wednesday, January 23, 2019 Each evening of The 2019 NAMM Show, the NAMM PR team will be servicing photos and a selection of the next day’s events... 

Top 5 UAD Master Bus Plugins Sometimes you don’t have time to go through every single track with EQs, compressors and spatial effects to make a rough mix sparkle for yourself or your clients. You just need something quick. Here are five invaluable UAD plugins to help your roughs sound more like final mixes. You can even download them from UAD for a free trial before you buy. UAD SSL G Bus Compressor Flat-out awesome You may think: “I have compressors... 

Top 5 UAD Master Bus Plugins Sometimes you don’t have time to go through every single track with EQs, compressors and spatial effects to make a rough mix sparkle for yourself or your clients. You just need something quick. Here are five invaluable UAD plugins to help your roughs sound more like final mixes. You can even download them from UAD for a free trial before you buy. UAD Precision-K Stereo It’s the secret sauce It is difficult to explain... 

Top 5 UAD Master Bus Plugins Sometimes you don’t have time to go through every single track with EQs, compressors and spatial effects to make a rough mix sparkle for yourself or your clients. You just need something quick. Here are five invaluable UAD plugins to help your roughs sound more like final mixes. You can even download them from UAD for a free trial before you buy. UAD Precision Limiter Raise your level By now, we’re all familiar with... 

Top 5 UAD Master Bus Plugins Sometimes you don’t have time to go through every single track with EQs, compressors and spatial effects to make a rough mix sparkle for yourself or your clients. You just need something quick. Here are five invaluable UAD plugins to help your roughs sound more like final mixes. You can even download them from UAD for a free trial before you buy. UAD Precision Equalizer Subtle yet effective Sometimes rough mixes don’t... 

Top 5 UAD Master Bus Plugins Sometimes you don’t have time to go through every single track with EQs, compressors and spatial effects to make a rough mix sparkle for yourself or your clients. You just need something quick. Here are five invaluable UAD plugins to help your roughs sound more like final mixes. You can even download them from UAD for a free trial before you buy. Manley Massive Passive MST Make it shine While the non-“MST” instance... 

Sweetwater’s GearFest 2017 Draws Record Crowds and Sales Free Music and Pro Audio Trade Show Continues to Grow GearFest completely takes over the Sweetwater campus with parking, camping sites, gear tents, a performance pavilion, the retail store, and the massive interior of the Sweetwater building. Sweetwater Sound announced that GearFest 2017 was a bigger success than ever, breaking every record established by previous GearFest events. Launched... 

Toontrack releases Singer-Songwriter EZkeys MIDI Toontrack announced the release of the Singer-Songwriter EZkeys MIDI pack, a collection of MIDI playing variations inspired by some of the most iconic singer-songwriters of the past few decades. This release marks the twenty-ninth individual title in Toontrack’s line of piano MIDI for EZkeys. About the Singer-Songwriter EZkeys MIDI pack For decades now, the piano has been a natural vehicle to help... 

ANALOG ALIEN JOE WALSH DOUBLE CLASSIC Essential classic rock tone This signature pedal offers independently selectable compression and tube amplifier emulation circuits that deliver stunning studio-inspired vintage guitar tones—worthy of the classic rock shredder. Divided into two color-coded sections—amp and compressor—the amp section is reminiscent of classic tweed models. The gain control runs from chiming clean to hairy distortion that responds... 

M-AUDIO AV42 Value and quality-driven desktop monitors M-Audio’s AV42 powered speakers offer recording hobbyists a significant step up from conventional computer speakers in quality and value. We were surprised by the definition these near-field monitors achieve. Bass-reflex MDF cabinets account for the solidity of the AV42’s low end, whereas waveguide-controlled 1-inch silk-dome tweeters, like those found in high-end models, deliver clear highs... 

SE ELECTRONICS GUITARF Superior guitar cab isolation The sE Electronics guitaRF allows you to obtain isolated guitar cabinet sounds without the hassle or expense of building an isolation booth. It features a moveable arm, which accommodates side-address condenser or ribbon microphones, and a special port holds an SM57 or similar dynamic instrument microphone. A flat base slips under amps, for extremely close miking. The result is clean, clear sound... 

SLATE MEDIA TECHNOLOGY RAVEN MTI Revolutionary touch-screen control In a world inundated with multitouch devices and apps, the Slate Media Technology RAVEN MTi control surface offers a connection to most popular DAW software that’s nothing short of refreshing. Most striking about this 27-inch touch-display control surface isn’t just the novelty of manipulating multiple virtual faders at once, it’s the speed and accuracy with which the RAVEN... 

GEAR SPOTLIGHT WESTONE AM PRO SERIES AMBIENT EARPHONES In-ear Monitors with Passive Ambience The Westone AM PRO Series ambient earphones are the on-stage solution performing musicians have been waiting for. In the past, musicians have used in-ear monitors but have not felt as connected with the crowd, or even other things onstage—mainly the other musicians. The AM PRO series has found a way to maintain low frequencies so that your monitor signal... 

ULTIMATE GOPRO PROTECTION Since GoPro cameras were released, these miniature cameras have shown up on stages and video shoots everywhere. While the cameras can be mounted in tough, waterproof housings, added protection for these cameras can go a long way. That’s why SKB created a special set of waterproof, impact-resistant iSeries GoPro cases designed to keep one or two GoPro cameras and their accessories safe from the elements. Whether subjected... 

PINT-SIZED POWERHOUSE SYNTH Roland’s JD-Xi analog/digital crossover synthesizer offers a compressive music creation toolset that’s perfect for today’s electronic musicians. In addition to a four-part sound engine, which combines a monophonic analog oscillator, two SuperNATURAL synths, and drum sounds, the JD-Xi comes fully equipped with a pattern sequencer, a vocoder, and an amazing set of effects. A set of 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys provide... 

MIGHTY GUITAR PROCESSOR Line 6’s Helix multieffects processor combines next-gen effects modeling and advanced stereo signal routing into a refreshingly easy-to-use pedalboard processor. At the core of the Helix is Line 6’s new HX dual DSP modeling engine, which offers 45 amps, 30 cabs, 16 mics and 70 effects, each rendered with impeccable detail. What’s more, the Helix supports up to 32 effects at once, including up to four amp emulations,... 

AMPLITUBE COMES TO ANDROID Android-toting guitarists looking for a way to jam with their tablets or phones are sure to appreciate IK Multimedia’s iRig UA, a DSP-driven device that brings AmpliTube effects to a whole new user base. By loading the DSP on the hardware itself, IK Multimedia was able to circumvent latency issues inherent with Android devices. The AmpliTube UA controller app—available from the app store—provides a detailed user interface... 

  VINTAGE TWANG PRS introduced the S2 Vela as part of their 30th anniversary. An unusual design for PRS, the S2 Vela is built around an asymmetrical double-cutaway mahogany body and features a combination of tried-and-true techniques and hardware innovations. Joining the PRS Starla humbucker at the bridge is a Type-D single-coil at the neck, which invokes the sound and spirit of classic 1950s twang. And while a set of S2 locking tuners offer...