2008 Summer NAMM Show: Fender, Martin and Taylor

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June 21, 2008

2008 Summer NAMM Show: Fender, Martin and Taylor

by Rick Landers.

The Fender booth at the 2008 Summer NAMM Show. Photo by Rick Landers.

On Friday, June 20, 2008, a throng of music instrument dealers, manufacturers, celebrities and PR folks swarm into the Nashville Convention Center ready to talk shop, cut deals and reconnect with music industry friends. Today's the first official day of the 2008 Summer NAMM Show and companies are out in full force with guitars, amps, accessories and live entertainment to draw the attention of dealers and distributors. The big guns are here, including company execs from Fender, Martin, Peavey, Gretsch, Taylor, Yamaha, Danelectro, Ibanez and smaller firms like Daisy Rock, Normandy, Huber, Johnson, and TKL and their custom case shop, Cedar Creek.

Unlike yesterday when folks were setting up their exhibits, the joint is now rockin' and, literally, packed. I bump into a few well-respected guitarists, among them were Johnny A and the now grown up guitar prodigy, Nick Sterling, and manage to meet up for some quick photo ops with Bob Taylor, Chris Martin, Dick Boak, Hartley Peavey and a few other company top dogs. But, their focus is on meeting with dealers and distributors to build their company brands, while enjoying the guitar fever that NAMM always brings to a boil. I miss Fred Gretsch, but hope to connect with him on Saturday.

My highlight on Friday isn't NAMM though. I head for the hill country of Tennessee and stop by Scotty Moore's home where he has his own studio. Scotty and I talk about his new CD that should be released soon, the day he first met Elvis Presley, and the time he and "The King" joined forces to rock the world and Scotty helped define the meaning of "guitar riff."

Scotty Moore in his home studio on Friday, June 20, 2008. Photo by Rick Landers.

* * *

More 2008 Summer NAMM Show Coverage
Summer NAMM 2008 Final Wrap Up and More Photo Galleries
Photo Gallery Five: 2008 Summer NAMM
Photo Gallery Four: 2008 Summer NAMM
2008 Summer NAMM: Gibson Guitar's All-Star Jam Band
Summer NAMM 2008: More from the Floor and Photo Galleries
Photo Gallery One: 2008 Summer NAMM
Photo Gallery Two: 2008 Summer NAMM
Photo Gallery Three: 2008 Summer NAMM
Summer NAMM 2008, Thursday June 19 Show Prequel

* * *

Photo Gallery (June 19-20, 2008)

Fender Booth (Fender, Squier, Charvel, Jackson, Gretsch)

Fender loads in at the Nashville Convention Center on Thursday, June 19, 2008. Photo by Rick Landers.

Guitars are prepped at the Fender booth on Thursday, June 19, 2008. Photo by Rick Landers.

Mike Eldred, Director of Sales and Marketing of the FMIC Custom Division, at the Fender booth on Friday, June 20, 2008. Photo by Rick Landers.

Squier Marketing Manager Chris Gill at the Fender booth on Thursday, June 19, 2008. Photo by Rick Landers.

The Fender booth. Photo by Rick Landers.

Martin Booth

Christian F.Martin, IV, with Martin 175th Anniversary Guitar

Christian F. Martin, IV, with the Martin 175th Anniversary Guitar. Photo by Rick Landers.

Christian F.Martin, IV, with Martin Alternative X Guitar

Christian F. Martin, IV, with the Martin Alternative X Guitar. Photo by Rick Landers.

Martin's Dick Boak with Click and Clack Martin Guitar

Martin's Dick Boak with the "Click and Clack" Martin Guitar. Photo by Rick Landers.

Martin's Dick Boak with Merle Travis Martin Guitar

Martin's Dick Boak with the Merle Travis Martin Guitar. Notice the headstock shape. Photo by Rick Landers.

Matt Umanov (left) and Martin's Dick Boak with the Martin M-21 Steve Earle Custom Edition Guitar. See this recent press release for more information about Matt Umanov's involvement in the creation of this guitar. Photo by Rick Landers.

The Martin booth. Photo by Rick Landers.

Taylor Guitars Booth

The Taylor booth. Photo by Rick Landers.

Taylor's David Hoster at the Taylor booth on Thursday, June 19, 2008. Photo by Rick Landers.

The Taylor booth. Photo by Rick Landers.

Bob Taylor at the Taylor booth on Friday, June 20, 2008. Photo by Rick Landers.

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