Bright lights, polished hardware, and a sea of important faces. A cacophony of music, of all genres, from every direction, mixing in your ears. Rock legends signing autographs, scantily clad babes toting products, and big suits from many parts of the world.

A barrage of the senses. the Winter NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Show is one of the loudest, brightest, and largest Music Industry gatherings of the year. People from almost all avenues of the industry flock to Anaheim, California for a chance to meet rock stars, order product, get drunk on Yamaha’s tab, and check out the cool new gadgets that the new year will bring. Just blocks away from Disney’s happiest place on earth, the Anaheim Convention center and surrounding area becomes the magic kingdom of any sound, featuring any sonic device you could possibly think of.

My friends Max and Chris, along with myself, had the distinct pleasure of interning for the ineffable Korg - Marshall - Vox (think stacks of amps behind Jimi Hendrix, or the funky bass pedal used by Bootsie Collins). The following is a video I made to promote SUNY Potsdam Experiential Education. It features Max and Chris recounting their experiences in the 7 day flurry:

I was close enough to touch Stevie Wonder’s golden hands. I nearly melted in my shoes.

Jared!