With Summer NAMM coming back to Nashville, Tennessee The NAMM Young Professionals (NAMM YP) plan to continue its efforts in providing NAMM members under 40 years of age with educational opportunities.
“Come Summer NAMM in July, our industry will have been physically separated for about a year-and-a-half,” Jeremy Payne, vice president of the board of directors, noted. “The NAMM YP Board has been working hard in the background to find ways to bring our members together and provide the same educational and networking benefits as we have in the past. We’re happy to say that in coordination with The Music City Center and the City of Nashville, NAMM has developed a series of health and safety measures called, Safe & Sound, allowing us to safely gather for both our customary educational and networking events.” Information on NAMM’s Safe & Sound measures can be found on NAMM.org.
NAMM YP has had an impressive list of speakers address their members over the years including industry and business veterans James “JC” Curleigh of Gibson, Justin Norvell of Fender, Bob Taylor of Taylor, Robin Walenta of West Music, Chris Martin of Martin and Joel Menchey of Menchey Music — just to name a few. Not to disappoint, this year at Summer NAMM, NAMM YP has landed Andy Zildjian of Sabian Cymbals.
“We’re so thrilled to have Andy address our membership,” Payne said. “Many folks in our industry work for a multi-generational, family company, and Andy’s perspective growing in and now running such a business will provide a tremendous amount of insight and guidance to young folks working within a similar situation. Of course, Sabian and Andy are a lot more than just a family owned and operated business; they are one of the most well-respected brands in the industry and we can expect to hear Andy share personal and company experiences resulting in such an iconic brand and company.”
Zildjian’s presentation to YP will take place on Friday, July 16 in the NAMM Idea Center. The event will start with a short business meeting and will conclude with a Q&A session with Zildjian.
NAMM YP will also officially introduce two new board members that started their service in January 2021, Scott Rife of Eastman Music Company and Mason Tarpley of Tarpley Music. Additionally, NAMM YP will officially swear in two new board members, Michael Santander of Instrumental Music Center and Genn Dusold of Brighton Music Center.
“Like most things in life, COVID-19 disrupted NAMM YP’s cadence of board members,” Payne said. “Scott and Mason were actually voted onto the board last spring, and we hoped to swear them in at The Winter NAMM Show, but that obviously couldn’t happen, so they started their service virtually and have been welcomed additions to the board. Right behind their swearing in, we have two board members ending their service in July and we’re really excited to have Michael and Genn join us. Each of our board members brings a unique perspective and skillset to the board, and we’re excited to see how they can help grow NAMM YP benefits such as our mentorship program, our educational events and social media efforts.”
Finally, NAMM YP will gather for a casual networking event immediately following the Thursday evening NAMM Top 100 Dealers presentation at The Flying Saucer Restaurant and Pub in Nashville. MI
NAMM Young Professionals consists of young professionals in the music industry. Get involved by visiting nammyp.com.
