NAMM 2026: Day 1

The 2026 NAMM Show is celebrating an astounding 125 years and Tuesday was just the beginning of this triumph! It kicked off with The NAMM Foundation Day of Service bringing together volunteers for community service to support music education and industry professionals. Meanwhile, The Retail Financial Summit offered financial training for music retailers. More sessions began to unfold throughout the day with various tips and tricks for marketing in our digital age using tools such as YouTube, Instagram, video recordings, and more! As the day turned to night, attendees discussed how to advocate for music education by creating strong state and local coalitions and shared their reasoning tactics. The final hours of the first day closed with a series of fantastic live performers on the Hilton stage including: The Guest Room, Alison Albrecht, Roland Grant, Dolly Ave, and Too Hot For Leather. 

 

 

True Love Event Next Month!

 

True Entertainment brings their iconic event back again this year, but for 2 days instead of one, full of connection, movement, and music! Tickets are now on sale! 

Get them here, get them early for a discount

Full She Rocks Awards Lineup Released

The full lineup for the annual She Rocks Awards 

celebrating women shaping the music industry 

has now been released:

HONOREES:

• Carrie Wilson – Singer, songwriter, and member of Wilson Phillips
• Judith Hill – Acclaimed vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist
• Rachel Platten – Platinum-selling singer-songwriter, known for “Fight Song”
• Sophie Burrell – Guitarist, educator, and inspiring online music personality
• Rhonda Smith – Renowned bassist, performing with Prince, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Kimmel Liv
• Kay Hanley – Emmy- and Peabody-winning songwriter, lead vocalist of Letters to Cleo, and co-founder of SON
• Michelle Lewis – Multi-Emmy- and Peabody-winning songwriter, co-founder of SONA
• Andreea Gleeson – CEO of TuneCore and advocate for gender equity in musi
• Susan Lipp – Owner and CEO of Full Compass System
• Lisa Worden – SVP Rock & Alternative at iHeartMedia, Program Director ALT 98.7 LA, host of She Is The Voice
• Lisa MacDonald – Director of Vertical Marketing at Yamaha, inaugural Chair of Women of NAMM (WON) Council
• Heather Dembert Rafter – Principal counsel at RafterMarsh and advocate for women in audio and music tech
• Reina Ichihashi – Roland’s Global Product Marketing Manager for Wind Instruments
  
  HOSTS:
• Vicki Peterson – Founding member of The Bangles
• Mixi Demner – Lead vocalist and founder of Stitched Up Heart

Tickets to this award show held on Friday, January 23, 2026 at the Hilton Hotel Pacific Ballroom in Anaheim, CA may be obtained here: 

https://sherocksawards.com/tickets/

New Wweekly Show, "Robbo At The Movies" Hosted by Robert Cotto

NEW YORK, NY — [November 4, 2025] — Little Steven’s Underground Garage, the world’s only 24/7 rock & roll radio format dedicated to the coolest music ever made, is proud to announce the launch of a brand-new weekly program: Robbo At The Movies, championing music and movies together, hosted by Robert Cotto of Renegade Nation and Wicked Cool Records.

Premiering Friday, November 28 at 10:00 PM ET, Robbo At The Movies celebrates the long love affair between rock & roll and cinema—a relationship that has shaped generations of soundtracks, scenes, and cultural moments. Each week, Rob will explore a different theme: a classic film, a legendary director, an unforgettable actor, or even a television series known for its iconic needle drops.

“Film and music have always shared a deep connection,” says Cotto. “After guest hosting an episode of The Underground Garage to promote 'Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple'—the documentary that I produced—I was blown away when Stevie offered me this opportunity to develop a show about two of my greatest passions: cinema and rock & roll. Being part of telling Stevie’s story was one dream come true. Getting to join The Underground Garage in this capacity is another-- something I’ve fantasized about since the show first hit the airwaves more than twenty years ago.

Van Zandt adds: "We've been searching for the perfect guy to do a movie show and we finally found him! We've been celebrating cool films in my short vocal breaks all along, but now there will be an entire weekly show dedicated to them. I can't wait!"

Each episode of Robbo At The Movies dives into how rock & roll has elevated film and television storytelling—from the rebellious energy of the ’50s and the anthemic sounds of the ’70s to today’s most impactful cultural touchstones. Expect deep-cut soundtrack selections, cultural commentary, and behind-the-scenes insight from one of the Garage’s own true believers.

Show Details

Title: Robbo At The Movies
Host: Robert Cotto (Renegade Nation / Wicked Cool Records)
Premiere Date: Friday, November 28, 2025
Time: 10:00 PM ET (weekly)
Network: Little Steven’s Underground Garage

New Release: "This Bright Circumstance" by Color Theory

Color Theory has released, "This Bright Circumstance."

"I grew up with anxiety, insomnia, and panic attacks, but years of meditation taught me how to make peace with my mind.

This album is an instruction manual set to music, a collection of strategies for helping me stay grounded and navigate troubled thoughts. If it helps others, even better.

Everything but my voice was created on the couch with a single hybrid analog/digital groovebox: the Elektron Syntakt.

Off The Grid Campout 2025 - Don't Miss It!

Off The Grid, one of the most anticipated events of the year in Southern California by True Entertainment, is celebrating 10 years in October! It's an event you don't want to miss! 

To get tickets and more information, visit: https://offthegridcampout.com/

Watch the 2024 Aftermovie by Milo Films:

NAMM Celebrates 125 Years at The 2026 NAMM Show

 

Get Ready to Rock The 2026 NAMM Show: NAMM Celebrates 125 Years with Five-Days of Music, Innovation and Industry Legacy 

125th Anniversary of NAMM and 50 Years in Anaheim Set the Stage for a Historic Gathering 

CARLSBAD, CALIF., August 4, 2025 – NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global non-profit music trade organization, announced today that The 2026 NAMM Show will celebrate NAMM’s 125th anniversary, along with 50 years in the city of Anaheim. Taking place January 20-24, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center, the world’s largest music products trade show will feature five days of incredible education, live concerts and special events, alongside three days of extraordinary exhibits and brand activations from January 22-24. This 2026 event marks a historic milestone for the entire music products industry.  

“The NAMM Show is more than a trade show; it is the global gathering where our entire industry meets at the crossroads of business, innovation and technology,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. “This year, we celebrate not only the future of our industry but also the legacy of 125 years of uniting music makers and 50 years of partnership with the city of Anaheim. The 2026 show will be our most expansive, celebratory and future-forward yet.” 

Five Days of Unmatched Events and Education 

Beginning Tuesday, January 20, The 2026 NAMM Show will offer an extended slate of world-class education sessions, global networking events and NAMM’s annual Day of Service, which highlights the positive impact of music education on students' lives and society with NAMM members partnering with the local Anaheim school district and community on the benefits of music education. 

NAMM members engage in a variety of activities to support music programs, such as unpacking and tuning of instruments, assisting with music-making sessions and providing professional development for teachers. 

Global Media Day and Reimagined Retail Awards 

Wednesday, January 21, opens with Global Media Day, an exclusive preview event where top media outlets and industry influencers will experience breaking product launches and innovations from the world’s most iconic brands.  

Wednesday will also feature expanded educational opportunities, including a new suite of immersive half- and full-day professional development summits. This includes workshops on everything from leadership, marketing and financial strategies to deep dives into recording and studio innovations, as well as new developments in entertainment technology. 

That evening, NAMM will host the newly rebranded NAMM Retail Awards (formerly the NAMM Dealer Awards). With expanded categories and two new honors — Best Omnichannel Operation and Best Music Lesson Program — the awards celebrate excellence in music retail from NAMM’s global membership. 

Thought Leadership and Celebrated Performances 

Thursday, January 22, begins with the powerful NAMM U Breakfast Session: “Industry Insights,” hosted by Mlynczak. This dynamic session will feature a live panel of industry luminaries in conversation about key trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the global music market. At 10 am sharp, the doors of the exhibit hall open, and more than 1,800 state-of-the-art exhibitions from brands and companies based all over the world come to life, bringing a musical experience like no other to the show floor. 

That evening, the NAMM TEC Awards will recognize achievements in audio excellence, honoring innovators in recording, live sound and technology with legends of the industry on stage through the night. 

Friday night shines a spotlight on the She Rocks Awards, a high-energy, unforgettable event that honors the women who are changing the face of music and audio with electrifying live performances and powerful speeches. 

Friday evening also draws thousands of NAMM attendees to the center point of the NAMM Show campus, the Yamaha Main Stage. This live performance stage will feature a one-of-a-kind, star-studded performance ensured to bring the house down. 

A Grand Rally for Music Education 

Saturday, January 24, opens with the motivating “Grand Rally for Music Education,” a flagship NAMM Foundation event that combines live performances with inspirational stories to spotlight the role of music education in our society.  

Once the exhibit halls close at 5 pm, a special 125-year anniversary bash will take place in the main plaza, leading into the prestigious Parnelli Awards, honoring individuals and companies in the live event production industry. Live music will continue throughout the NAMM campus well into the evening to keep the energy going all night long. 

Join the Global Music Community 

The NAMM Show brings together tens of thousands of professionals from more than 125 countries, including manufacturers, retailers, educators, artists, industry professionals and innovators across the musical spectrum. In 2026, attendees can expect expanded programming, immersive experiences and anniversary celebrations that honor the association’s enduring mission: to strengthen the music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. 

Registration for The 2026 NAMM Show opens this fall. For the latest information, visit namm.org.