I’ll See You at The NAMM Show! Connect With Industry Pros This January
What do a piano retailer, a music educator, a retail software expert and a mariachi musician have in common?
They will all be at The NAMM Show — and ready to meet you.
Every year in January, NAMM members from around the world travel to Southern California to partake in this one-of-a-kind gathering for the music products industry. Each year, the halls overflow with instruments, sound booths, vibrant stage lighting, music technology and colorful brands. Conversations spark, new connections are made, and attendees discover innovative offerings from exhibitor booths — the tools of the trade that evolve and transform many aspects of music making.
The NAMM members featured below share about special connections they’ve made in their years attending The NAMM Show, what they’re looking forward to at the 2024 show in January, and where you can find them — so take the opportunity to reach out and meet up! You’ll soon see how your own network will grow from a variety of interactions and experiences at this year’s show.
Tim Pratt | Dietze Music
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE THE NAMM SHOW
Connect, Learn, Innovation
Share a NAMM show memory.
Years ago, a friend of mine was the head of sales for an amplifier company. He kept telling me that he had been telling his friend “Mike” about me and our stores in Nebraska. He said “Mike” was wanting to meet me and was in the back of their booth in the dealer area.
“Mike” turned out to be Michael Anthony from Van Halen and it was a setup to watch my reaction! I think I handled it well and had a great time meeting and talking to him, but I’m thankful there were no cell phone videos back then to film my reaction.
What are you looking forward to at the 2024 show?
Seeing all the friends I have made in 30 years of NAMM shows. We always make a list of things to accomplish during the next year, and being able to share this with my management team is an incredible way to get our year off to a strong start.
Where can people find you?
They can start by finding me at my session, 6 Proven Leadership Strategies to Grow Your Business, in the Idea Center at 10 am Thursday morning (shameless plug)! I also try to make it to the breakfast sessions — as many as I can get to. I have really been trying to concentrate on being a better leader so I would always entertain conversation on that as well as just about anything else in this industry!
Cindy Shea | Mariachi Divas, Bands at NAMM
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE THE NAMM SHOW
Innovative, Talent, Friends
Share a NAMM show memory.
My personal favorite memory of NAMM was the year right after Michael Jackson passed away. My first concert I ever attended at nine years old was the Victory Tour with all the Jackson brothers on stage in 1984 at Dodgers Stadium. I was sure of my life’s journey after seeing the show — I was going to pursue music as a career and live the dream.
As Mariachi Divas were doing sound check [at The NAMM Show], Jermaine Jackson passed by the stage. I was able to talk with him, take photos (crying my eyes out), and tell him how much Michael and the Jacksons influenced me as an artist. It meant so much for me to share that with him and he was so very kind to take photos with my son, Alex, and I. That was a moment I will always treasure in my heart from The NAMM Show.
What are you looking forward to at the 2024 show?
I look forward to performing with Mariachi Divas as we love sharing our music with so many people from around the world visiting The NAMM Show. I also look forward to what I consider a music reunion of friends for years. The NAMM Show is the one place a year we can run into so many of our colleagues in the same place.
Where can people find you?
They can find Mariachi Divas at the outdoor Yamaha Stage where we will be performing music with song selections from our 20 albums. The best part about The NAMM Show is it will be the first concert in 2024 for Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea in celebration of our 25th anniversary as a group. Reach out to us on social @mariachidivas.
Ray Williams | XCHANGE
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE THE NAMM SHOW
Industry Meeting Place
Share a NAMM show memory.
Met three men from Korea in the elevator loading out at the end of the show. On the ride down one floor, I told them about our product and service. They were intrigued. We started doing business within a few months. And it all started from a chance encounter on a one-floor elevator ride.
What are you looking forward to at the 2024 show?
Renewing relationships and making new ones. The whole business is built on relationships.
Where can people find you?
Booth 16300. ACC North.
Tim Paul | Piano Trends Music and Band
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE THE NAMM SHOW
Essential to Success
Share a NAMM show memory.
Thirty-five years of attending the show makes it difficult to come up with just one memory. But over the years, being part of the education sessions and sharing family time in the business with my wife and partner, Bobbi, my daughter, Jenny, and father/son time with my son, Jason, every year make all the memories very special.
What are you looking forward to at the 2024 show?
Networking, attending and giving educational sessions as well as catching the concerts big and small with my son, Jason. Just soaking in all that is The NAMM Show. If you can’t have fun at a music convention, then you are in the wrong business.
Where can people find you?
Wednesday I’ll enjoy being part of the 2024 NAMM Top 100 Dealers reception; Thursday with Dan helping out in the interview room with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy; Friday at noon in the NAMM Member Center moderating a piano marketing discussion; 2 pm presenting a session on livestreaming and podcasting in the Idea Center; and Friday and Saturday at 4 pm assisting Eric and Aaron with Piano Man Roomful of Pianos. You can contact me through The NAMM Show+ App — Tim Paul, facebook.com/pianotrends or Instagram @pianotrends.
Ali Handal | Bands at NAMM
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE THE NAMM SHOW
Homecoming, Possibility, Inspiration
Share a NAMM show memory.
One of many cherished memories I have is from several years ago. My friend Kira Small (an incredible singer and songwriter) and I were hanging out together, and somehow, we ended up in a medium-sized conference room where Stevie Wonder and his full band were playing. It was the first time either one of us had seen him live, and here he was right in front of us playing all our favorite songs! We were all singing along with him at the tops of our lungs, and at one point, Kira and I just burst into tears of joy, jumping up and down to the music and grabbing each other in disbelief that we were so lucky to be there. It was truly an unforgettable experience!
What are you looking forward to at the 2024 show?
This year I’m looking forward to both of my performances on Saturday — my original six-piece band performing our funky rockin’ set on the ADJ Arena Plaza Stage, and later that night playing with RagDolls, my all-female Aerosmith tribute (I play Joe Perry).
And every year, I look forward to the She Rocks Awards, founded by Laura B. Whitmore. I remember performing at the very first She Rocks Awards ten years ago, when it was a breakfast session at 7:30 am (!), and it has grown to become a phenomenal evening of music and inspiration.
Where can people find you?
I’m performing my original music on Saturday, January 27, from 4–4:40 pm at the ADJ Arena Plaza Stage. My Aerosmith tribute is playing on Saturday in the Hilton lobby from 10–10:40 pm. You can reach out to me on Instagram @alihandalmusic.
Jessica Baron | Master Educator, Guitars in the Classroom
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE THE NAMM SHOW
Mind-Expanding, Exhilarating, Connectivity
Share a NAMM show memory.
I loved sharing the joy, harmony and participatory improvisation that many of us on faculty with GITC experienced among hundreds of other music educators and advocates in the room at the Grand Rally in 2020 with Bobby McFerrin!
What are you looking forward to at the 2024 show?
Learning what discoveries and accomplishments teachers who’ve attended our workshops have experienced over the past year and meeting and hearing from other educators who are fired up about making music more inclusive for diverse learners.
Where can people find you?
People can find me at one of our workshops or our presentation, Friday through Sunday!
Our first session, January 26: Teach Music Inclusively So Every Learner Shines!
Our second session, January 27: Engage Your Students with Activities for Social Emotional Learning
Our third session, January 27: Mariachi! Develop a Thriving, Relevant Program
Our Nonprofit Institute session, January 28: Developing Organizational Relevance Through Inclusive, Empathic, and Responsive Leadership
Ben Chai (banjo) | Streetlight Cadence, Bands at NAMM
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE THE NAMM SHOW
Fun, Inspiring, Reunion
Share a NAMM show memory.
I love walking around and seeing some of my favorite artists just casually playing at the different booths, but I’ll always remember the first time I met, fanboyed, and hugged Mitch Gallagher in person after having watched hundreds of his videos exploring and demoing gear for Sweetwater.
What are you looking forward to at the 2024 show?
I’m looking forward to connecting with old friends and sponsors, and of course listening to the many artists who will be showcasing live!
Where can people find you?
Streetlight Cadence will be performing and hanging out with Deering Banjos, AEA Ribbon Mics and Taylor Guitars. We’ll be playing the Hilton Stage at 6 pm on Saturday night, January 27. Otherwise, we’ll be meeting and making new friends! Reach out to @streetlightcadence on Instagram and let’s hang!
Join Us at The 2024 NAMM Show
The industry professionals featured here and thousands more will be at The NAMM Show — the ultimate meeting place for all things music products. Network, attend sessions, discover products and brands, attend live concerts, and much, much more.