NAMM U - Industry

Michael Cathrea opened Resonate Music School & Studio in 2012 and has since grown the music lesson program to 1,200 students. His strategy was to embrace changing consumer habits and adapt music lessons to this new reality. During “Retail Disruptors” at 2019 Summer NAMM, he shared his business model with NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond. (Watch the video for the full interview.) For starters, Cathrea did away with the notion that music lesson programs are tied to the school year, September through June. “With us, it’s month to month,” he said. “It’s a membership-based system.

In the past year, new online sales tax laws have become a big disruptor for retail—and not just for web-based sellers. During “Retail Disruptors” at 2019 Summer NAMM, music retail financial expert Alan Friedman of Friedman, Kannenberg & Co. sat down with NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond to discuss the impact of the Wayfair decision. Watch the video of the full interview to find out what it means to your business.

On the heels of a popular Breakfast Session at January’s NAMM Show, Scott Stratten made a surprise appearance at 2019 Summer NAMM, during “Retail Disruptors.” The customer-experience and branding expert explained how turning to our own employees can oftentimes be the answer to combatting disruption. (Watch the video for the full segment.) “The longer you are at a company, the more your ideas held weight,” Stratten said. “It’s actually one of the things that makes no sense. Ideas aren’t valid because they’re historical. Ideas aren’t valid because you’ve thought them a long time.” H

Discover the hottest trends in the guitar, straight from the experts. In this dynamic conversation at 2019 Summer NAMM (presented by Guitar World magazine), journalist and marketer Laura B. Whitmore sat down with top builders and manufacturers to find out what big developments they see happening now, and in the near future. They discussed new gear, trending market segments, what’s happening with the guitar in today’s popular music and much more. * PowerPoint slides not available for this session

2019 Summer NAMM closed out with “Best in Show,” a NAMM U Breakfast Session that revealed the biggest products, innovations and services on the exhibit floor. Moderated by Frank Alkyer, publisher of Music Inc. and UpBeat Daily magazines, the session featured a team of music retail gear experts who searched the show floor in pursuit of the must-see and must-stock items. They presented 24-plus picks that are sure to make noise in the fourth quarter—and beyond. 2019 Summer NAMM – Best in Show Winner List   Accessories and Add-Ons Peterson StroboClip HD, Booth 1201 Cable Wrangler, Bo

The 2019 NAMM Show began with “Breakfast of Champions,” hosted by NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond. The session featured a series of one-on-one interviews with industry thought leaders who explored the role of originality in driving the music products business forward. Lamond kicked off the session by commenting on how original thinkers don’t let external conditions effect their ability to create, invent and innovate. “There’s always a rare group of people, a rare group of leaders, who seem to persevere and succeed no matter the economic weather,” Lamond said. “Whether it’s storm

In late 2018, James “JC” Curleigh took the reins as the head of Gibson after holding leadership positions with Levi Strauss & Co., Salomon and Keen. During “Breakfast of Champions” at The 2019 NAMM Show, Curleigh discussed the importance of originality in branding and thinking like a startup with NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond. Here are highlights from the interview. (Watch the video to see the full segment.) On becoming president and CEO of Gibson: People asked me earlier, ‘JC, what’s the most surprising thing so far?’ And I think people were looking for the dark-side answ

Jun-ichi Miki has enjoyed a long and vibrant career at Roland, starting in engineering in 1977 and becoming president of the company in 2013. NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond interviewed Miki during “Breakfast of Champions” at The 2019 NAMM Show. There, he shared his insights on creating innovative products, market development and how a love of learning has driven his career. Early in the discussion, Miki revealed what he believes is Roland’s secret to creating game-changing products. “Our slogan from the beginning is ‘We design the future,’ so that innovation is the DNA of Rolan

Smart Women in Music (SWIM) launched last year as the brainchild of three music industry leaders: Robin Walenta of West Music (and NAMM chair), Crystal Morris of Gator Cases and Dede Heid of Heid Music. During “Breakfast of Champions” at The 2019 NAMM Show, NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond spoke with them about the organization’s mission and vision. Walenta said the inspiration for SWIM began a little more than 30 years ago at her first NAMM Show. “I walked out on the show floor and said, ‘There aren’t a lot of people here who look like me.’ So it was at that moment that I realiz

During his career at Yamaha, Chris Gero has overseen the growth of the company’s artist relations and founded Yamaha Entertainment Group of America. At “Breakfast of Champions,” he spoke with NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond about the importance of artist relations and how it’s evolved at Yamaha in tandem with the recording industry. He was also joined onstage by Yamaha artist and bass legend Nathan East. “We, at Yamaha, already had a long and fruitful artist relations program,” Gero said. “What transpired was what transpired in the world and in life, and that was how we all spok

Heart co-founder and guitar legend Nancy Wilson received NAMM’s 2019 Music for Life Award during “Breakfast of Champions.” There, NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond interviewed her about her artistry, the importance of branching out as a musician and how she keeps the creative fire burning. Here are a few highlights. (Watch the video for the full interview.) On scoring for films: That’s a lesson in knowing how to shut up, basically. When to stop. When to give it breath and space. Because in songwriting, you’re trying to tell your story with lyrics and music. And when you’re writing

The 2019 NAMM Show closed out with "Best in Show" on Sunday, January 27. This NAMM U Breakfast Session featured a fast-moving roundup of the biggest products, services and technologies on the exhibit floor. Moderator Frank Alkyer, publisher of Music Inc. and UpBeat Daily magazines, led a panel of music retail gear experts, who scoured the far corners of the show floor to bring you their favorites. They presented 24-plus picks that are sure to be a big deal in 2019, and beyond. 2019 NAMM Show – Winner List Round 1: Best Add-Ons and Accessories Chase Bliss Pre-amp MKII - Booth #3744