2023 TEC Awards Finalists Announced NAMM has announced the finalists of the 38 th Annual TEC Awards . Presented annually during The NAMM Show , the TEC Awards recognize the individuals , companies , and technical innovations behind the sound of recordings , live performances , films , television , video games , and multimedia . At the ceremony , one artist will be presented with the Les Paul Innovation Award . The annual award honours musical artists whose work has exemplified the creative application of audio technology .
In total , 21 Technical Achievement and Studio Design Project categories were evaluated by a group of industry experts from all facets of the pro audio and sound production industries . Finalists are those products and projects that , in the opinion of the nominating panel , represent superior accomplishments in their respective fields .
For invited members , voting in each category will begin on Dec . 21 and end on March 1 , 2023 . Finalists from the 22 categories will be selected by industry professionals across major music , sound , and game audio associations , along with pro audio focused media groups .
The finalists will be celebrated at The 2023 NAMM Show at the TEC Experience , a special , communal reception designed to gather the crossroads of the industry to applaud the achievements of the researchers and developers , product designers , marketers , and innovators behind the innovations . The event , which is open to all NAMM Show attendees and precedes the return of the TEC Awards in 2024 , will be held on the campus of the Anaheim Convention Center on the evening of Thursday , April 13 , 2023 .
The TEC Awards will also honour an individual for their contributions to music and recording . Soon to be announced , an honoree who embodies the creative , innovative , and enterprising spirit of Les Paul will be honored with the Les Paul Innovation Award . Past Les Paul recipients include Carol Kaye , Peter Frampton , Jackson Browne , Joe Perry ( Aerosmith , Hollywood Vampires ), Slash ( Guns N ’ Roses ), Don Was ( Was , Not Was ), Lindsey Buckingham ( Fleetwood Mac ), Pete Townsend , Stevie Wonder , Todd Rundgren , and others .
Make Music Winter Celebration Returns December 21 Make Music Winter ( MMW ), a free outdoor musical celebration presented by the NAMM Foundation with participatory parades , performances , and events throughout New York , Los Angeles , Chicago , and dozens of U . S . cities , will return on the Winter Solstice , which is Dec . 21 st .
The annual event , happening on the shortest day ( and longest night ) of the year , welcomes people of all ages and musical abilities to celebrate the joy of making music with fellow community members . Since its start in 2011 , Make Music Winter has become a positive outlet for music enthusiasts and their neighbors to meet up , learn a new skill , and march through public spaces while making music with bells , electric guitars , their own voices , percussion , and more unusual instruments . The event has grown to include 35 + cities across the nation each year .
( L-R ) EMPRESS EFFECTS ’ STEVE BRAGG , DAVID MINER & JAY FEE
Empress Effects Appoints David Miner as Director of Marketing and Business Development Empress Effects has announced that David Miner has joined the company as Director of Marketing and Business Development .
Miner brings over 20 years of experience in MI and pro audio and has worked for companies including Long & McQuade , Music Marketing , Yamaha Canada Music , and the Yamaha Guitar Group . In his new role , Miner will lead Empress ’ marketing efforts and expand their dealer network , which currently serves customers in nearly 40 countries .
“ We ’ re pleased to welcome David to the team ,” says Steve Bragg , president of Empress Effects . “ His experience , established relationships , and expertise in guitar and music technology products will make an important contribution to our next stage of growth as we offer unique musical tools to players around the world .”
Founded in 2005 , Empress Effects is based out of Kanata , ON , and offers a range of pedals and other tools for musicians .
CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE 15