Sure, okay. I made a play off the whole “Christmas in July” thing with “New Years in June.” …What do you want from me? More clever puns?

All kidding aside, I’ve packed up my bag and my car to attend the NAMM Show and Amigos Guitar Show this weekend in Anaheim & Costa Mesa, CA. I’ve been to NAMM many many many times, but I feel like this year will be special BECAUSE many of the big players we all rely on seeing are not expected to attend. Who are these big players? Well, the buzz around town is that we won’t see Roland/Boss, Fender, Gibson, Paul Reed Smith, Schecter, etc.

Now granted, I understand why they won’t attend this year as renting NAMM booths has become what many could see as business-killing expensive. Some of these booths cost a quarter million. Yup. $250K for a 3 days. That’s a lot of “passed onto consumer” costs right there. Plus, some of these brands learned across the last couple pandemic years that business can operate just fine without a massive trade show. While I’m sad to not see some of these bigger names present, I totally understand it. Plus, it’ll allow me to focus more on these smaller brands that challenge the status quo, innovate something amazing, or put out products with almost unimaginable quality.

If you’re also at NAMM, please say hi. I’ll be present walking the floor all day Friday and Saturday. Sunday, I may drive a hair further south to the Amigos Guitar Show and check that out too. It’ll be a busy weekend, for sure.