supporting me. Thankfully Jeff’ s and Doug’ s deep knowledge of gear and Doug’ s stellar guitar playing made the whole effort work.
We had good friends join us too – our guitar columnist Chris Rocha for a Martin guitar segment( another guy that can really play guitar) and Tom Brooks was his gifted self for the NORD piece.
We were the first folks to show several new pieces of gear to the world, and it worked! I walked away wanting the new Washburn Hawk electric and a Badder Monkey DOD pedal. Not to mention a Hi-Watt combo tube amp!
The Pre-NAMM Hang
Next up that Wednesday was our evening plans – our Pre-NAMM HANG. We had five super good guitarist lined you to do 15 minutes sets each. Opening with our WM’ s resident product reviewer Michael Hodge, then session ace Dave Cleveland( both PRS endorsed artists), young guitar phenom( and super nice teenager) Saxon Weiss, followed by the aforementioned Doug Doppler and headliner WM columnist Chris Rocha again. We had over 300 guests that night and they got time to“ Hang” directly with our 20 sponsor companies. This annual night before the NAMM convention opens event has really proven to be a good idea. Thank you Lord!
Dave Cleveland, Doug Doppler, Saxon Weiss, Chris Rocha at the Pre-NAMM Hang
THURSDAY: So, after a very full day Wednesday, Thursday morning I wake up and realize,“ Today- the biggest convention in the gear world begins!” We had a full day of good meetings with Fishman, Kraft Music, C. F. Martin, Shure, Guild, Universal Audio, Audeze, QSC, EFNOTE digital drums and more. Wow!
At 5:30pm I headed to the Hilton Hotel next door to attend the TEC Awards where I root for our favorite companies who are nominated. Also that night was the Yamaha Night of Worship with Natalie Grant and the Belonging Co. outside on the big Yamaha stage. I had the privilege of founding / co-producing the first 8 years of the NAMM Night of Worship with my friend Mike Overlin. Then Yamaha took the night
18 February 2026 Subscribe for Free...