I happen to get a pass to THE musician/music industry convention held every
year in Southern California. In a nutshell,
it's basically a convention where all the music instrument manufacturers of the
world hold an annual convention
showcasing the latest in music equipment and premiere new hardware and software
for musicians and music stores,
etc. Let's just say, it's the place to be if you're in the industry. Visit
http://www.namm.com for insight into the
organization.



Every year I see alot of popular session musicians and some rock legends. I
always see Sheila E. and friends. But,
here's the kicker, this year there is a booth in which a guitar company is
announcing that the purple symbol guitar
(Habib)! It will be manufactured for the retail musician market! The companies
name is Schecter Guitar Research here in
Hollywood! Their url is http://www.schecterguitars.com . They have the symol
guitar on display, awsome!



Not only will the symol guitar be made BUT get this, the cloud guitar will be
to in fact it is in the their catolog! I will be
made in white and the symbol guitar in purple, gold and possibly white also! I
was told by a representative of the
company that the symbol guitar will probably be sold more to collectors and
that the coud guitar is beautiful and be
more geared towards guitar players. This is common practive to have signature
guitars made by companies with
artists names attached to them. So, this is very cool. I took photographs of
the small setup and guitar and will get
those posted this coming week (got to get film developed).



Two people that work with Prince were there. One of the guitar techs that
actual is not his but the other band
members and a lady who works directly with Prince, I've seen her backstage at
various shows he's done here.



Now for the second bit of news:
Every year I hope to see band members or associates. Last year I met Rhonda who
was hanging with Sheila E and saw
Susanah Melvoin with husband at the show. I've pretty much seen met most of the
people I grew up with from the
protege list but I think this time it was complete.



Andre Cymone was there! I recognized him immediatly and spoke to him. I told
him how the internet has allowed many
of the protege's to be rediscovered. I told him about the Jill Jones admiration
and he was suprised and asked what she
was upto. He was very polite and down to earth. He hasn't aged much either.
Tall guy. He was very suprised I
recognized him and allowed me to take a photograph. Excellent. He was working
on a black girls record that was strictly
rock he said. I didn't really catch her name but he says that it's not Lenny
Kravitzie. After that, he was going to the
sutdio to record his sutff this year. I encouraged him to take advantage of the
net, I'm sure you fans would like to here
him again.



Next.
I spotted him again and this time he was Kat Dyson, but I noticed they where
together with a certain Petterson, Paul
Petterson? St. Paul! As Andre visited a small guitar booth, where Andre started
playing some cool kitchen scratch funk
guitar (sorry no pictures!) I spoke to Paul and and he was also very, very down
to earth and cool. He mentioned he was
there to check out guitars at the booth and hang and I told him I admired his
musicianship form way back and he
laughed. He mentioned that he's still with the Osmond show and asked me what I
do. Basic friendly conversation. He
did mention that he's just been extremely busy to put out an album but wanted
to do one soon. Picture too. Right on!



And then.



Morris hayes happen to be walking the floor too. When asked about touring, he
said after rehearsals in March, they
were going to start touring (of course that is not confirmed). I also had to
ask if they were planning to jam anywhere
this weekend. he said they were not. He was also cool. Picture also. Okay!



I met Pete Escovedo who was very cool and got a picture with him while Sheila's
mom took the picture. Sheila E. was
signing at various drum company booths throughout the day, I got to meet Sheila
and got her autograph. When asked
if she was going to play somewhere she gave me a very dry no. I guess she
didn't want to carry the small
conversation. Took pictures and stuf, she's one who I admire as a fellow
drummer, but I think I'm just going to admire
here from afar next time. Last year I saw her at the convention and at Glam
Slam West, she seemed very
unnapproachable, you know?


I'm hanging around the booth the whole rest of today, Sunday which is the last
day of the convention.


Here's the trick.
The trick for getting into NAMM with out an industry only pass. Catch people as
they are leaving. Most give away their
passes becuase they are not coming back or leaving town after business.



Good Luck ya'll.



This is Gazam reporting!