By Andrew King
Sef of Quebec ’ s Your Favorite Enemies presents a public demo in the Boss exhibit .
Levy ’ s Leathers ’ Harvey Levy
( left ) & CMT Publisher
Jim Norris draw to see which dealer won their entire order for the day .
26 • CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE
Luthier Andy Manson & Boutique Guitar Showcase curator Jamie Gale .
I may sound like a broken record stating that The NAMM Show has once again broken records .
As has been the case for the past several years in a row , the 2017 edition of the largest gathering of MI professionals in North America saw new highs in exhibitors , brands represented , and total registration throughout its four-day run at the Anaheim Convention Center from Jan . 19-22 .
Overall , 7,000 brands were showcased by the record 1,779 exhibiting companies , which includes a two per cent rise in new exhibitors over last year . Overall show registration increased by five per cent over 2016 to 106,982 , which NAMM primarily attributes to member company badge allocations .
Of course , such numbers don ’ t mean much if the show fails to deliver in any respect ; however , that doesn ’ t seem to be the case after a busy 2017 run that saw the introduction of some new initiatives along with the return and refinement of some favourites .
It says as much about my number of years in the industry as the show itself that NAMM Show networking is now almost sure to begin before the show even opens – or before I ’ ve even crossed the border into the U . S . As has been the case the last few years , I was fortunate to see some familiar and friendly faces on the flight out of Toronto , adding some excitement to an otherwise uneventful trip across the continent .
I got into Anaheim a bit later than usual , leaving little time before I had to venture into Downtown Disney for Yorkville Sound ’ s annual Pre-NAMM Kickoff Party at Ralph Brennan ’ s Jazz Kitchen . The event once again welcomed a majority-Canadian crowd of about 200 for some relaxed networking in a fun and informal setting . Gotta love the authentic Louisiana experience the Abita beer provides …
As was the case last year , Yorkville put together a smoking band of Canadian session musicians , this time featuring the likes of Kevin Saulnier on keys and guitar , Michale Vassos on guitar and vocals , drummer Dave Langguth , and , surprisingly , Slash drummer Brent Fitz on bass . Running effortlessly through a whimsical setlist , the musicians left an open invitation for people to