Day Three of the 2004 NAMM Summer Session Ends Strong

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, hosted the final day of its 2004 NAMM Summer Session today at the Nashville Convention Center and adjoining Gaylord Entertainment Center.

The morning’s Gospel Music Pancake Breakfast featured performances by two diverse acts: The Crabb Family, a contemporary gospel group, and Denver & the Mile High Orchestra, a high-energy, “big band” style group, who played to a sold-out crowd. Proceeds from the event will benefit the American Music Conference.

Several attendees began their day with the final NAMM University keynote session, “Unleashing Your Potential,” presented by Bob Clements. When the exhibit halls opened, it was another day of business meetings, industry networking and product demonstrations out on the show floor. Some show-goers packed their schedules to take advantage of all the opportunities and events available throughout the show.

“We decided to bring the employees this time—we brought 30 out of 46 employees,” said Victor Himbaugh of Doo Wop Shop, Louisville, Ky. “We went to the pancake breakfast this morning. That was awesome. And we’ve been walking around the show and everything. We bought a bunch of stuff here. We went to two different days’ worth [of NAMM University sessions]. It was all good.”

The NAMM Fastest Drummer Contest came to a close this afternoon when the top 10 competitors in each of the categories of “Fastest Hands” and “Fastest Feet” headed into the final heats. Sam Lecompte, of Thibodeaux, La., took home the title of “Fastest Hands” with a score of 1,061 beats per minute and Adam Fachler, of Bronx, N.Y., placed first in the category of “Fastest Feet” with 844 beats per minute.

At show closing, exhibitors reflected on their final show experience in Nashville as they looked ahead to the possibilities in other cities.

“It’s been a very eventful show,” said Rick Shubb of Shubb Capos, Valley Ford, Calif. “We’ve been busy at the booth. We’ve had a chance to meet with actually a few international contacts—although it’s not been a heavily international show—it was for us. I think geographically you meet different people [at Summer Session]. The summer shows tend to be a little more regional, and the winter show tends to be a little more international. We’re looking forward to meeting some new people in Indianapolis because I think we will.”

“We’ve had an extremely successful show,” said Dennis Houlihan of Roland Corporation U.S., Los Angeles. “Our sales volume was substantially increased—and we can’t wait for Indianapolis.”

The 2005 NAMM Show will take place January 20–23, 2005, in Anaheim, Calif., and the 2005 Summer Session is scheduled for July 22–24, 2005, in Indianapolis, Ind.

For more information, interested parties can log on to www.nammsummersession.com or call 800.767.6266.