NAMM's National Music Store Weekend Celebrates Small Business Leaders Who Influence Music Making in Local Communities

CARLSBAD, Calif., May 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) announces the annual National Music Store Weekend, held this year from May 11 to May 13. Announced by NAMM as the culmination of National Wanna Play Music Week, this weekend of appreciation is designated to applaud local music stores for their role in helping community members start a musical journey – whether as a student in school or later in life. NAMM wishes to thank the thousands of local community music stores who serve as music making's biggest champions. During the special three-day celebration, local music stores will host open houses nationwide and encourage aspiring music makers to take that first step toward playing a musical instrument.

In a recent nationwide Gallup poll, NAMM found that 85 percent of Americans who don't currently play a musical instrument wish that they did. Additional studies have shown that playing a musical instrument positively impacts children's cognitive skills, in addition to building confidence, self-discipline, and the ability to connect socially with their peers. One's life-long musical journey begins at the local music store, where passionate professionals and teachers nurture interest and provide expert advice to ensure the experience and challenge of learning to play music are positive.

"Local community music stores have always played a vital role in guiding new and old musicians through their musical journeys," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM, and lifelong drummer. "National Music Store Weekend is a way for us to give thanks to thousands of small business owners who have continued to inspire the art of making music and support musicians nationwide."

Participating music stores around the country will be hosting "music open houses" and other special events as part of National Music Store Weekend. Music makers can visit their local music store to ask for advice, purchase musical instruments and gear, as well as find out about local musical performances in their area. Several participating music stores this year include:

• The Candyman, Strings & Things
  Santa Fe, N.M. - www.candymanstringsandthings.com
• Music and More Midwest
  Onsted, Mich. - www.musicandmoremidwest.com
• Royalton Music Center
  North Royalton, Ohio - www.royaltonmusic.com
• Music Depot
  Hayward, Calif. - www.musicdepotstore.com
• Church Keyboard Center
  Pasadena, Calif. - www.churchkeyboard.com
• West Music
  Six Retail Locations - www.westmusic.com
• Bertrand's Music
  Four Retail Locations - www.bertrandsmusic.com
• Taylor Guitars
  Sold Nationally at Various Locations - www.taylorguitars.com

To find music stores, music teachers and opportunities to play in local communities across the country, NAMM offers the "Music Store Locator," "Lesson Locator," and "Places to Play Locator" on wannaplaymusic.com. Additionally, NAMM's "Pledge to Play" on Facebook provides a venue for musicians of all levels to pledge to take their musical talent to the next level. Pledge-takers will receive monthly inspirational videos with insightful tips for staying motivated, focused and on a clear path to learning how to play music. The free app is located in the tab of the www.facebook.com/wannaplaybynamm page and at www.tinyurl.com/nammpledgetoplay.

National Wanna Play Music Week kicked off with "Music Monday" on May 7 with schools and individuals across North America performing music at the same time on the same day in support of music education. NAMM continued the week with the announcement of the top tech apps and interactive websites for learning to play music, and released results from a nationwide consumer poll that revealed President Obama as America's "Favorite Unexpected Musician."

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

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 John Stamos, 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 (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. 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 located in more than 52 countries. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org, call 800-767-NAMM (6266) or follow the organization on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.

SOURCE NAMM