Composer/Songwriter
Stevie Wonder has earned the title of the "Mayor of the NAMM Show" for his countless visits to the show floor over the years. He has become an important part of the music products industry not only in promoting new technologies, but in working with companies to design and improve instruments. ...
Weird Al Yankovic built his career upon creating parodies of hit songs, with a special focus on incorporating his beloved accordion. Al began recording his silly songs on tape and mailing them into the Dr. Demento radio program. Once his songs were gaining popularity, Al expanded his band and...
Bobby Watson grew up in Lawrence, Kansas and remembers dreaming of buying a new saxophone at the local music store. An early gig with drummer Art Blakey began Bobby on his career as a noted jazz musician, which has included forming his own award winning band and playing with such artists as Joe...
Guitar Shorty was born in Houston with the name David Kearney, but found fame with his nickname in the blues world beginning in the 1950s. He grew up in Florida, where he began playing gigs as a teenager. After working with the Ray Charles band and Walter Johnson, Shorty released his first...
Graham Nash has been an outspoken advocate for music education, especially with regards to programs that provide instruments to young students. He has often mocked the thinking that allows school budget cuts to affect the music programs. As a result, Graham has worked with NAMM on raising the...
Geoff Downes has seen the curve in technology throughout his musical career. Commonly known as a member of The Buggles, Geoff's successful musical career took off when he incorporated the changes of pro-audio and technology within his music. "Video Killed the Radio Star" not only catapulted the...
Obie Bermudez is the Grammy winning singer and songwriter from Puerto Rico who combined his passion for lyrics with his interest in musical instruments. His first album, Locales, released in 1998 showcased his own songwriting skills. His recordings also have always contained more instruments and...
Frank Simes was born in Tokyo, Japan and began studying guitar at the age of ten. During his fascinating career in music Frank has played guitar with the likes of Mick Jagger and Stevie Nicks; been a songwriter for Surreal McCoys, David Lee Roth and The Whizz Kidds as well as serving as musical...
Will Champlin grew up in a very musical family, his father Ben is the songwriter and founding member of the band Chicago. Will studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and launched his musical career as a songwriter. In 2010 he won a Grammy for writing the song “Ordinary...
Jon Anderson is best known as a founding member of the band Yes. His musicianship, arranging and songwriting helped catapult the band to international fame with hit records and sold out performances around the world. The band has had a remarkable ability to re-create itself over the years for a...