Summer NAMM returns to Nashville

Bakithi Kumalo, the great bass player performs at 2014 Summer NAMM in Nashville.       photo: NAMM
Bakithi Kumalo, the great bass player performs at 2014 Summer NAMM in Nashville. photo: NAMM

Music City Center will fill with the sweet sounds of live music as Summer NAMM returns to Nashville, July 9-11. The National Association of Music Merchant’s (NAMM) mid-year music industry gathering will play out with dozens of live performances, award shows and musical events. 2015 Summer NAMM is the industry’s favorite mid-year gathering where you can find the latest products and technology from more than 400 exhibitors, powerful educational sessions, unique networking opportunities and one-of-a-kind entertainment in the Music City Center.

Summer NAMM provides the ultimate educational experience on what’s working right now in music retail—brick-and-mortar, online and multichannel. NAMM U has curated 35 sessions to help music retailers hone a winning business strategy for the second half of the year and far beyond. The educational opportunities start with NAMM U’s Retail Boot Camp, leading into three-days of Breakfast Sessions and NAMM Idea Center topics designed to inspire and share practical tactics for success in the rapidly evolving music industry.

Summer NAMM is where the industry does the business behind the music by day, then dives into Nashville’s music scene by night. Beginning Thursday, hear the world’s fastest drummers deliver mind-boggling beats at The World’s Fastest Drummer competition in the Music City Center lobby. Friday, NAMM honors the world’s standout music stores at the Top 100 Dealer Awards in the Davidson Ballroom at 7PM. The awards will be live streamed at www.namm.org.

Saturday, shake off a busy three days by making music at the Kala-sponsored uke circle (12PM) and REMO-sponsored drum circle (3PM).

Come meet Pearl at The She Rocks Summer NAMM Showcase

Check out The She Rocks Summer NAMM Showcase comprised of selected artists from around the country, spotlighting Grace & Chelsea Constable, Pearl, Katie Garibaldi, Bryce Hitchcock and Taylor Tote. Thursday, July 9, 8:30 – 11 p.m. at The Listening Room (217 2nd Ave. S. – a short walk from the Summer NAMM convention at the Music City Center). An optional $5 door charge is requested.

About Pearl

For most, Pearl‘s voice is reminiscent of Corinne Bailey Rae’s richness and style. Combine that with a love for clear, unprocessed instrumentation and arrive at her undeniably unique sound. Pearl’s heartfelt song lyrics hold a depth of meaning that is a gift to those who listen. Of her organic growth as a singer/songwriter, Pearl remarked, “If I had to envision what ‘I love you’ sounds like, this is how I’d want it to sound…”

Living in Chicago as a not-so-recent southern transplant has expanded Pearl’s world as a working musician in exciting ways. In early 2013, she shined as one half of an acoustic duo performing covers during the Common Ground Foundation gala – an event and organization founded by hip hop artist and Chicago native, Common. From far away, her 5-foot-half-inch shell may not stand out in a crowd. But come in closer and you just might uncover the refined, polished details her Creator used to comprise, well, a Pearl. Find out more at www.pearlprojects.org

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