With New Year's Resolutions Top of Mind, NAMM Challenges President Obama and All Americans to "Pledge to Play" Instruments

As Americans nationwide resolve to get fit, manage stress and save money this year, NAMM is urging them and President Obama to add playing a musical instrument to their list of New Year's resolutions through its "Pledge to Play" online initiative.

Launched last year, NAMM's "Pledge to Play" is a personal commitment dedicated to empowering those who have always wanted to learn how to play a musical instrument or sing, and can be found at www.facebook.com/wannaplaybynamm. This national call-to-action is aimed at the more than 85 percent of Americans who do not play a musical instrument, but wish that they did, according to a recent Gallup poll, and is part of the activities leading up to NAMM's sixth annual National Wanna Play Music Week, which this year takes place from May 7-13. In a recent interview with Barbara Walters for ABC's "20/20," President Obama said that he wished he had learned to play a musical instrument and would love to play music.

"Studies show that those who explicitly make New Year's resolutions are 10 times more likely to reach their goals," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. "NAMM's 'Pledge to Play' invites anyone who has always wanted to play a musical instrument to make 2012 the year that they experience the fun and benefits of playing music."

Research studies have proven many positive benefits associated with playing a musical instrument, including stress-relief, improved memory skills, enhanced listening skills, motor ability and hand-eye coordination, and heightened intellectual capabilities. More information about the benefits of playing music can be found at www.wannaplaymusic.com.

About NAMM's Wanna Play? Public Awareness Campaign
NAMM's national Wanna Play? public awareness campaign is dedicated to increasing awareness of the proven benefits of playing musical instruments for people of all ages. Since the campaign's launch in November 2006, the key messages about the fun and many proven benefits of playing music have reached millions of people through national public relations efforts. In addition, Wanna Play? has the support of more than 100 celebrities, including Jack Black, Jeff Daniels, Robert Downey Jr., Band from TV, Orianthi, and Gary Sinise. For more information and to get involved, interested parties can visit www.wannaplaymusic.com.

About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization's popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 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 more than 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM, please visit http://www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).