"This year's NAMM Show marks a critical turning point for the international music products industry," said NAMM president and CEO Joe Lamond. "A strong NAMM Show signals the beginning of a comeback with buyers returning to their hometowns with renewed energy, passion and hope for a strong 2010, and exhibitors enjoying strong floor traffic and sales as they introduced hundreds of new and innovative products to the market."
Show Business - NAMM 2010 events included highly attended mentoring sessions for music products retailers; performances by Jason Mraz and Ted Nugent; and celebrity appearances by Julianne Hough of Dancing with the Stars, Slash of Guns and Roses, Eddie Van Halen, Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder, Orianthi and Gene Simmons of Kiss and hundreds of touring artists and band members. Yamaha Corporation of America celebrated its 50th anniversary in the United States with a star-filled dealer concert featuring Vince Gill, Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, John Ondrasik, Jon McLaughlin and Jason Mraz.
Haitian Appeal - Bono, Justin Timberlake and Alicia Keys are among the artists who will perform in the Hope For Haiti TV fundraising event, organiser George Clooney has announced. The actor said more than 40 celebrities were expected to attend the Hope For Haiti event on 22 January. The aim of the telethon, he added, was "to show the people of Haiti that the whole world is paying attention". Clooney and Haitian-born singer Wyclef Jean will host the benefit, to be shown on more than a dozen US TV networks.
Brit Awards - There are two new categories to mark the Brit Awards 30th year - the best performance of 30 years and the Brits album of 30 years. Michael Jackson's performance of Earth Song in 1996, during which Jarvis Cocker invaded the stage, is nominated for best performance, as is Kanye West's Gold Digger in 2006 and Tom Jones and Robbie Williams' medley from the film soundtrack of The Full Monty in 1998. The Brits album of 30 years nominations include past winners Coldplay, Dido, Dire Straits and Oasis.
(Jim Evans)
