NASHVILLE, TN, July 20, 2003—NAMM, the
International Music Products Association, began the final day of its
2003 Summer Session today with uplifting melodies at the Gospel
Music Pancake Breakfast. Before the show floor opened, Dr. Bobby
Jones and the Nashville Super Choir, among other gospel solo artists
and groups, performed for the crowd at The Hang in the Gaylord
Entertainment Center.
Also in the morning, NAMM University keynote
speaker Al McCree presented his session “Putting It All Together and
Bringing It Home: How to Affect Positive Change in Your
Organization!” to a group of attendees.
In the Gaylord Entertainment Center, the final
heats of the NAMM International Fastest Drummer Contest took place.
Taking the title of “Fastest Hands” was Eric Okamoto with 1,018
strokes in 60 seconds, and the “Fastest Feet” honor went to Kermit
“Thumper” Tarver with 768 beats in 60 seconds. In addition, a new
world record was set today when current hand-drumming world-record
holder, Jotan Afanador topped his existing record of 1,123 single
strokes in 60 seconds with a new record of 1,165 strokes.
On the show floor, many show-goers were energized
and optimistic about the future.
Paul Finke, a buyer from Willis Music in Florence,
Ky., explained, “It’s a buyers’ show … there are a lot of deals that
we’re seeing that we hadn’t seen before. I think the manufacturers
are getting real aggressive, and I think there’s perhaps a flow back
to the independent dealer that I’m seeing with increased profit
margins and special product built just for independent dealers—these
things are all positive to me. I think if you don’t come to the
[Summer] Session, you’re crazy. There’s so much that we learn, pick
up on—if I wasn’t here, I would not be prepared for Christmas,
that’s for sure.”
Exhibitors shared similar sentiments as the show
day came to a close.
“It’s been an excellent show,” said Harvey Levy of
Levy’s Leathers in Canada. “The first day was probably the best
first day we’ve had in a long, long time. Somebody told me yesterday
after they saw the first two days, ‘It looks like the lights just
went on in retail.’ It’s not only that they were out here in large
numbers—they were buying; they were upbeat; they were confident. So
I’m hoping the corner has been turned—it certainly looks like
it.”
About NAMM
The International Music
Products Association, 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 $16 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 approximately 8,000 Member companies. For
more information about NAMM, interested parties can visit http://www.namm.com/ or call
800-767-NAMM (6266).
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