This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

NAMM 2014: Block Parties, the Beat goes on, wraps up on high note: NAMM 2015…

January 31st, 2014 · No Comments digg

The Darlins Jude Toy & Erinn Bates

By Michael Cohan

Anaheim, CA(Hollywood Today)1/31/14—As winners of the 2013 National Battle of the Bands, The Darlins now from Nashville, captured the hearts of many at the winter NAMM Show . They accomplished their trip to Anaheim , CA by beating out 400 other bands.

This cute duo reformed in 2008 with L. A. native Jude Toy and Nashville belle Erinn Bates. Their chemistry is apparent from speaking with them and they redeveloped their sound as a bluegrass country band. Just like the moniker on their truck, “Real bourbon, real country.” Definitely follow these honey’s at www.thedarlins.com

Van Halen cover band performs better and possibly louder than Hot For Teacher They probably could blow out a few wine glasses but there were known found here! They delivered a hard drinking bass-laden sound throughout their show. However, the four members, Randy Monroe, Terry Lauderdale, Matt Lundy, and Eddie Studebaker, reveal a definite respect of the technical expertise of Van Halen and has achieved the same high standards.

Find out what's happening in Hollywoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The band formed in 1999 and hit the ground running performing mostly on the west coast. They have been featured in a VH book, played at Michael Anthony’s guitar dedication, and have been associated with all kind of heavy metal bands like Quiet Riot, Tesla, Pat Travers, Dio and many others. They were voted best tribute band of the year in 2008 and also became the first tribute band to perform at the prestigious NAMM show and have returned every year since! When Hot For Teacher comes your way go “Dance the Night Away” and “Jump” with the VH experience!

Jazz guitarists Bernie Williams with D’Angelico signature guitar YANKEE BLUE

Find out what's happening in Hollywoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On Tuesday night before Media Day, I checked for the upcoming performances for the NAMM Show Wednesday night. I saw this name, Bernie Williams and Gil Parris. I thought to myself who is Bernie Williams? http://dangelicoguitars.com/

The day of the event showcased a 4 hour spectacle of new products. This man took the stage and his name is Bernie Williams. Okay, I felt, now I’ll find out who he is! He delivered a speech and introduced a new guitar to the industry-only crowd! I thought what would a former baseball player would be doing at the NAMM Show?

This interviewer eventually found out while speaking with Mr. Williams he actually started playing the bass guitar at age 8 and wanted to be a musician. Then he thought about baseball. His parents said no to both! They wanted young Bernie to go to college and get a regular steady job. Well, you know what they say, “the rest is history.”

I was very intrigued by Bernie during our 5 minute conversation. I found him to be very personable and I thanked him for his time. The NAMM Pre-Show Block Party featured him and his band composed of Gil Parris, renowned guitar virtuoso. Joining them during their 90 minute presentation were Gov. Mike Huckabee who played guitar and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter from the Doobies! All had quite a good time grooving to their jazz and blues sound!

From Center field to Center Stage Bernie Williams: http://www.bernie51.com/

Joe Lamond, NAMM President NAMM show,

Fueling the Passion

Reviews of Speeches & Interviews

When the President and CEO of NAMM was introduced after media day was over, my ears perked up and this first time columnist was ready to hear everything! There wasn’t much just clapping other than me. But finally everyone gave Mr. Joe Lamond the recognition he wholeheartedly deserves. He expressed his gratitude to the media.

He thanked us for fueling the passion, for making things great! As he explained, digital music today has been attempting to bond with the old beautiful instruments of analog to break to continued conflict of these two worlds of music.

“As the global platform for the music products industry, the NAMM show provides the pivotal gauge as to what is happening in the global market,” said President Lamond. There exists a renewed spirit and passion within the industry with over 5000 products , sales up 2% from last year and a record number of attendees. He believes the stage is set for phenomenal growth in 2014.

Governor Michael Huckabee also spoke briefly. He spoke of the passion music brings to everyone. His WannaPlayFund focuses on the creativity of youth. The organization is a vehicle for distributing musical education and instruments to the kids of America.

Just to come to some sort of conclusion to all of this rhetoric, the writer did meet with President Lamond after his speech and he did mention to me that he anticipated some applause when he took the stage to deliver his “State of the Music” address. I had to tell him that I started clapping but did not hear anyone else, maybe a few, but as he brought up the theme of youth and creativity again; we are all reminded of the passion that will drive the music industry into the future.

trumpet extraordinaire Jon Barnes

http://www.dacarbo.ch/en/trompeten.html

Piano Arc created by artist (keyboard player) Brockett Parsons QRS, Piano Arch

http://www.PianoArc.com

Mick GJ2 Guitars NAMM 2014

http://gj2guitars.com/

Will Hoover of GoPro with Jimmy Steinfeldt

http://gopro.com/cameras

http://www.jimmysteinfeldt.com/

Allen Fender Musical Instrument Corporation guitar plug ins

http://www.fender.com/

(ex) Governor Mike Huckabee. Joe Lamond, NAMM President

http://www.namm.org/