News Releases

With the start of the new decade, leaders, innovators, experts, and artists across music products, pro audio, and entertainment technology gathered at the "Crossroads" of the global industry, The 2020 NAMM Show. Held January 16-19, in Anaheim, California, the four days of the annual gathering saw professionals convene to launch and discover the next decade of business opportunities and celebrate music-making.

Winners in 23 technical and eight creative excellence categories were announced at the 35th Annual NAMM TEC AWARDS, Saturday, January 18, from the global NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA. Presented by The NAMM Foundation and held annually, the event recognizes the exemplary achievements and innovations behind the sound of recordings, live performances, films, television, video games and multi-media. Comedian, actor and musician Fred Armisen took to the podium to host.

The 19th Annual Parnelli Awards, the “Grammys” of the live event Industry, was well on its way to be a record-breaking, talent-heavy, memorable event — and then Garth Brooks showed up, surprising the more than 750 people who packed the Anaheim Hilton’s Pacific Ballroom during the NAMM show on Jan. 17.

At the annual gathering of the global music products, pro audio and entertainment technology industry, The 2020 NAMM Show, the Lightpower Collection gifted The NAMM Foundation a donation of $10,000. The donation check was presented at the annual Grand Rally for Music Education to the Foundation on Saturday, January 18 and will help the Foundation advance music-making opportunities for people around-the-world.

Earlier today at the Annual Meeting of Members at The 2020 NAMM Show, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) welcomed eight new board members to the organization’s Board of Directors. Each board member will serve a three-year term and provide oversight, input, and direction to the organization.

At the opening Breakfast of Champions session of The 2020 NAMM Show, singer-songwriter, two-time GRAMMY Award winner and Songwriters Hall of Fame honoree Jason Mraz was presented with the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) “Music for Life” award. NAMM’s highest industry honor was given in recognition of Mraz’s musical accomplishments and his lifelong commitment to inspiring music makers through a number of national arts organizations, including his own, the Jason Mraz Foundation.

Yesterday, The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation and NAMM member companies presented the Horace Mann Elementary School in Anaheim, California with a monetary donation and musical instruction as part of the organization's Day of Service. Held in correlation with the annual NAMM Show (Jan 16-19), the service event is now in its sixth year and celebrates the Anaheim Elementary School District's (AESD) commitment to its music education program and supports its efforts to reinstate music curriculum for all students.

Hailed as the most important and influential female recording artist of the late 20th century, inspired folk artist and pioneer Joni Mitchell will receive the prestigious Les Paul Innovation Award at the 35th Annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards (NAMM TEC Awards), being held Saturday, January 18, 2020 in Anaheim, California.

The NAMM TEC (Technical Excellence and Creativity) Awards committee is pleased to announce highly-respected recording engineer Dave Pensado and record industry veteran Herb Trawick, the creative duo behind the weekly web series, Pensado’s Place, as recipients of the 2020 TEC Hall of Fame award. The pair will be inducted into the NAMM TEC Hall of Fame at the 35th Annual NAMM TEC Awards, Saturday, January 18, in Anaheim, California.

Make Music Winter, a free, outdoor music-making celebration featuring joyful and dynamic participatory musical parades, performances and events in 40 U.S. cities on the winter solstice, today announced its updated schedule of events for Saturday, Dec. 21. The all-day musical celebration on the shortest day of the year brings together people of all ages, backgrounds, musical abilities and styles to sing, play, march and dance their way across streets, parks and other public spaces.

TECnology Hall of Fame founder George Petersen and the NAMM TEC Committee have announced seven defining audio products and innovations as the newest entrants to the prestigious TECnology Hall of Fame (TECHOF). The designations, which were voted on by a panel of audio experts, including authors, educators, engineers, and other professionals, honors audio products and innovations that have made a significant contribution to the advancement of audio technology and production.

Sitting at the heart of the industry’s crossroads, The 2020 NAMM Show has announced more than 300 professional development sessions for emerging and established professionals from all sectors of music products, pro audio and entertainment technology.