NAMM Challenges America to 'Pledge to Play' a Musical Instrument

In a major new push to encourage more Americans to play a musical instrument, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) today announced the launch of its first national "Pledge to Play" initiative. Aimed at the more than 85 percent of Americans who never played an instrument but said they wish they did in a recent Gallup poll, the national call to action is part of the activities leading up to NAMM's fifth annual National Wanna Play Music Week May 2-8.

The "Pledge to Play," found at www.facebook.com/wannaplaybynamm, is a personal pledge dedicated to empowering those who have always wanted to learn how to play a musical instrument or sing.

After making the commitment to play an instrument, each person who takes the pledge on the Wanna Play By NAMM Facebook page will also receive an exclusive, free "21-Day Guide To Playing Music" from NAMM, which provides insightful tips for staying motivated, focused, and on a clear path to learning how to play music. Playing an instrument can be a significant personal achievement but is often a challenge for beginners. Studies show that it takes about 21 days to form a habit, and NAMM has developed the limited-edition guide to help establish playing music as an accessible, everyday part of life. While sustaining motivation through 21 days may be challenging, the free guide provides helpful tips on how to remain focused and stay motivated, while serving as a resource for how to find local music stores, music lessons and places to play live.

In addition, limited-edition prizes geared toward music makers will be given away to people who pledge to play. Reward incentives include tickets to some of the year's hottest concert tours and exclusive NAMM merchandise. Each person who takes the pledge on the Wanna Play By NAMM Facebook page is automatically eligible to win a variety of exclusive prizes. For each pledge made, the chance of winning increases. With every 5,000 pledges taken, more prizes will become available to those who have taken the pledge. Once the "Pledge to Play" initiative has received 25,000 pledges, two V.I.P. passes will be given away to the music product industry's exclusive NAMM Show in 2012.

With the majority of Americans confessing a desire to play some form of music, the national "Pledge to Play" now offers the easiest time to take that challenge. Whether learning how to play an instrument or taking singing lessons, the pledge is for anyone dedicated to improving their lives through music. In fact, research studies have proven many positive benefits associated with playing a musical instrument, including stress-relief, improvement of memory skills, enhanced listening skills, motor ability, and eye-hand coordination, and heightened intellectual capabilities. More information about the benefits of making music can be found at www.wannaplaymusic.com.

Results of the nationwide "Pledge to Play" on the Wanna Play By NAMM Facebook page and related prize winners will be announced on May 6, 2011.

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 Jack Black, Jeff Daniels, Robert Downey Jr., Band from TV, Orianthi and Gary Sinise. For more information and to get involved, interested parties can visitwww.wannaplaymusic.com.

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, please visit http://www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

Media Contacts
Marlene Esqueda or Elizabeth Lascaze – GolinHarris
Public Relations | Phone: 213-623-4200
mesqueda@golinharris.com orelascaze@golinharris.com