Hollywood's Most Influential Top Unexpected Musicians Database, Debuted by NAMM as First-Ever Compilation of Surprise Music-Makers

CARLSBAD, Calif., May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Past and present headliners Robert Pattinson, Johnny Depp, Halle Berry, Thomas Edison, Alan Greenspan, and Steven Spielberg are among the list of "Unexpected Musicians" in the world of film, television, politics, business and science, unveiled today by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). Celebrating music makers and promoting music education, NAMM revealed the notable list, known as the Unexpected Musicians Celebrity Database, as part of the fourth annual National Wanna Play Music Week, May 3-7.

National Wanna Play Music Week is the leading initiative each year for NAMM's Wanna Play? public awareness campaign, which recognizes the numerous benefits that music making can offer people of all ages. The week-long celebration of music making features initiatives designed to educate the public on the proven emotional, social and physical wellness benefits of making music, and to encourage people of all ages to pick up any type of instrument and learn how to play.

"NAMM created the celebrity database as another way to help fans find unexpected musical inspiration from personalities they know and admire," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM, and lifelong drummer. "These personalities are famous for other accomplishments, but they are also musicians, which goes to show that you can do anything in life and also possess the talent to make music. There's truly a music maker in everyone."

The extensive list includes professional athletes, actors, politicians, business leaders, and more. From novelist Stephen King's skills on the electrical guitar to actress Meryl Streep's lesser known accolades as a violinist, the detailed database gives fans the opportunity to find out just how talented their favorite celebrities really are. The catalog of musical celebrities lists the instrument played as well as background information on each personality.

NAMM's Unexpected Musicians Celebrity Database is located online at http://www.wannaplaymusic.com.

National Wanna Play Music Week kicked off on "Music Monday," May 3, with "Gossip Girl" actress Taylor Momsen's band The Pretty Reckless performing in New York and "90210" actor, Ryan Eggold performing in Los Angeles, featured nationwide "Flash Jams" or spontaneous music-making gatherings across the country on Tuesday, highlighted the announcement of the NAMM Foundation's nationwide "Best Communities for Music Education" on Wednesday, debuted the Unexpected Musicians Celebrity Database today, and will feature the first annual "National Music Store Appreciation Day" on Friday, May 7.

For more information on the Wanna Play? campaign, please visit wannaplaymusic.com or http://www.facebook.com/wannaplaybynamm.

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, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

SOURCE NAMM