NAMM Opens Show Floor for First Time to Music Students, Parents, Music Advocates and Enthusiasts on the Last Day of Summer NAMM Show In Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- NAMM, the 109-year-old trade association of the international music product industry, announced today that for the first time it is opening its trade show floor to music enthusiasts and advocates on the last day of the Summer NAMM Show, Sunday June 20, at the Nashville Convention Center for "Wanna Play Music Sunday."

Designed to benefit NAMM's Wanna Play Fund, which supports music education nationwide, Wanna Play Music Sunday will offer inside information about how to get endorsed from top artist relations representatives at companies such as Taylor and Yamaha.

The day will also feature education sessions on how to perfect your music-making skills, and intimate jam sessions with master clinicians including American solo bassist Victor Wooten, drummer Jim Riley of Rascal Flatts and the world's top finger-style guitarist Doyle Dykes.

Wanna Play Music Sunday activities will include:

Education Sessions

• "Get Endorsed" – Learn how you can capture the attention of music product manufacturers to get yourself endorsed from top artist relations executives: Joe Hibbs (Mapex), Bob Borbonus (Taylor), Chris Gero (Yamaha), and Dick Boak (Martin)
• "Setting Up a Home Studio"– Learn techniques you can employ to get professional sound quality out of your home systems and how to set your system to the same specifications as industry professionals. Presented by Doug Roberts, owner of Doug Roberts Creative, a company focused on home studio installations.
• "Garage Band Test Drive" and "Logic Pro Test Drive" – Whether you're a new user or frequent user, make the most of Garage Band and Logic Pro! Experts from Apple will be on hand to help you learn all the ins and outs of these popular music making applications in hands-on workshops.

Education Sessions from Master Clinicians:

• Drummer Jim Riley of Rascal Flatts and Modern Drummer magazine's 2009 #1 Drum Clinician of the Year will offer unique drumming tips.
• The world's top finger-style guitarist and master clinician, Doyle Dykes, will demonstrate his techniques and style in this amazing workshop.
• Victor Wooten, an American solo bassist, composer and author, will demonstrate his amazing musical ability.
• Legendary guitarist Eric Struthers for the Neville Brothers and master clinician will demonstrate the Zoom Pedal and show how to use the techniques that have made him an icon.
• Plus a wrap-up performance by Victor Wooten and Eric Struthers.

Additional Features Include:

• A Sirius radio taping of "Heroes Behind the Hits," featuring three of country music's top songwriters talking about their inspiration for the music they have written. Watch as they perform live, and enjoy their music and stories in this intimate setting.
• Twenty-minute informational sessions with renowned guitar manufacturers C.F. 'Chris' Martin IV, chairman and CEO of C.F. Martin & Company; and Bob Taylor, principal of Taylor Guitars. This is a unique opportunity to get an insider's perspective on the business, the instruments they make and the future of the industry.
• "The Best Band You Never Heard" event, offering musicians a chance to jam together using the "Best In Show" product of 2009 Summer NAMM called JamHub.
• The Reunion Blues Vintage Guitars Road Show. Bring your classic or vintage guitars and find out from the experts what they might be worth.
• Free guitar re-stringing from D'Addario
• A fast drumming competition. Think you're fast? Test your skills!
• Live music throughout the day
• Join in the annual Summer NAMM Drum Circle. No musical ability needed. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun!

"Wanna Play Music Sunday will offer the community of Nashville a first-time look at the inner workings of the music products industry, and provide music-making advice and techniques from long-time professionals that wouldn't be offered anywhere else," said Joe Lamond, NAMM president and CEO. "This is a new and exciting venture for NAMM to open up its show floor to those who want to learn more about this industry. We are hoping to help educate and inspire people who are currently musicians or just starting to explore their musical abilities."

For more information about the day's events and to attend Wanna Play Music Sunday, purchase your tickets in advance at www.namm.org/wannaplaysunday.

About NAMM

NAMM is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the international 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 approximately 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

SOURCE NAMM