If you didn't it to Nashville for summer NAMM, you didn't miss much. For starters, in a guitar town, Fender (Guild, Gretsch and others),Gibson, Ampeg and Marshall didn't show. I didn't see Roland, Korg or Ketron (no surprise), either.

The Yamaha booth was about 1/5 the size it usually is, with a very small sample of keyboards and guitars. When I was in the booth, everyone was out looking at my friend Ben Lacy "tear it up" at the Warwick booth. No one was there to answer questions.

Casio was there, but, again, the only two employees in the booth were with prospective customers.

Hammond bailed, so I didn't get to see Tony Monaco, who has been at every show for at least the last 6 years; maybe more.

The bright spot was Nord, who had the fabulous C-2, with integral multi-pin Leslie connectors, and a new set of bass pedals, plus the rest of the line-up. They were in a booth connected to Kirzwell, so I don't know if those two share common ownership or what. The Nord show staff was laid back and friendly. I'm trying not to swap out my C-1 for the C-2.

Victor Wooten, one of my all-time favorites, blew everyone away at the Hartke booth.

The show Friday night with John Sebastian and "Vinnie" from the Conan show, put on by my friends and "ticket" to the show, Q-Lighting, was supposed to include Felix, from the Young Rascals, but he bailed at the last minute.

Vinnie was playing a borrowed Heritage top end guitar. It was funny to see the "suit" from Heritage sweat...obviously sent to "babysit" the instrument.

Vinnie and John Sebastian had not worked together or practiced for years, and it showed. Vinnie was not familiar with the borrowed Heritage, but really tore it up on slide played on a no-name archtop from the 30's he brought with him. John's 45 minute show featured some really familiar tunes
(E.G. "What a Day For A Daydream" and others)
to people in my age group. It was obvious that John and Vinnie had been friends for years.

We got a reservation at the Renissance, the hotel connected to the Convention Center, a few days before the show. Usually, it's sold out a month after the previous year's show closes.

I don't expect Summer NAMM to be around for very many more years.

But, it's a pleasant three hour drive from Lexington. My son Logan and I (my bassplayer in the trio) had a relaxing few days away from work. It would have been better if Rory had been in town or if Chas could have made it, but there's always next year. Last year, Rory easily held his own with the finest "Music City" had to offer.

"Cub reporter" Russ signing out. Gotta be across town for a gig in 35 minutes.


R.