RecordingVIP Music Equipment News

Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute Receives $75,000 Grant From the NAMM Foundation

Funds will enable groundbreaking research using keyboards in the rehabilitation of stroke victims

Carlsbad, CA, October 5, 2011— The Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute (YMWI) has received a $75,000 grant from the NAMM Foundation for groundbreaking research to be conducted under the umbrella of the Karl T. Bruhn Memorial Research Fund.

 NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond made the check presentation on behalf of the Foundation to YMWI at a special presentation held on October 5th at Yamaha Corporation of America’s headquarters in Buena Park, California. The majority of the grant will be used to fund a research project led by YMWI CEO, President and Director Barry Bittman, MD, titled, “Upper Extremity Rehabilitation for Non-Musician Stroke Patients Utilizing a Novel Keyboard Approach.”

American PI of Ernst & Young Wins 11th Annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands

Corporate America's Top Music Makers Head to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to Vie for the Title of 'Best Corporate Band'

Carlsbad, CA, October 2, 2011—In a competition that took executives out of the boardroom and onto the stage, American PI from Ernst & Young were named "Best Corporate Band" at the 11th annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands finals competition, presented by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), FORTUNE magazine and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. The event was sponsored by JBL by Harman and Gibson Guitar. American PI battled against seven other corporate bands from around the world, selected in earlier regional, semi-final events held in Chicago, Dallas and San Francisco.

Rock Musicians and Industry Influencers to Judge Executive Talent in Eleventh Annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands

Best Corporate Band in North America to Win National Title on Oct. 1

CLEVELAND, Ohio, September 20, 2011—An elite panel of five music industry judges comprised of rock legends and music professionals, will select the 2011 “Best Corporate Band” in the 11th Annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands. Presented by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the finals event will take place at The Rock Hall on Oct. 1 in Cleveland, Ohio. 

The judges panel for the grand final competition includes Starship bassist Jeff Adams, American rock drummer and former member of Billy Joel’s band Liberty DeVitto, Sheryl Crow’s guitar man Peter Stroud, .38 Special founding member Jeff Carlisi and Pro-Mark Drumsticks Director of Sales Worldwide, Pat Brown.

Finalists Announced In 11th Annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands

NEW YORK, N.Y., August 30, 2011—Rock and roll bands featuring employees from eight FORTUNE 500 companies have advanced to the finals of the 11th annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands.  The eight qualifying bands will take the stage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio on Oct. 1, and have the opportunity to earn the title of ‘Best Corporate Band.’ Proceeds from the performance will benefit the Rock Hall’s educational activities.

The Battle of the Corporate Bands is held each year to salute the best amateur, company-sponsored bands, and is presented by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), FORTUNE magazine and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. The goal of the national competition is to promote the benefits of making music, which have been shown to increase employee morale and improve productivity in the workplace.  The program is a partnership with FORTUNE Magazine, NAMM, and the Rock Hall, and is sponsored by JBL by Harmon and Gibson Guitars.

The NAMM Foundation Announces 2011 Wanna Play Fund Grant Recipients

Fund Supports Music Making Programs and Activities for Children and Young People

CARLSBAD, Calif. , August 18, 2011—The NAMM Foundation today announced the recipients of its Wanna Play Fund, a grant program that seeks public donations to support programs and activities that strengthen music education in schools and provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn to play music.

On August 19, the NAMM Foundation’s Wanna Play Fund will auction a special edition Fender American Standard Stratocaster autographed by Don Wilson, Nokie Edwards, Bob Spaulding and Leon Taylor of “The Ventures.” Interested parties can visit www.mikehuckabee.com for more information about the online guitar auction.

NAMM Announces Results of Time Square Ad Highlighting Association’s National Wanna Play? Campaign and Benefits of Playing Music

CARLSBAD, Calif. , August 12, 2011—The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) today announced the completion of a 40-day paid advertisement on the CBS “Super Screen” in New York’s Time Square highlighting the association’s national public awareness campaign called Wanna Play? and encouraging people of all ages to start playing an instrument.

The opportunity resulted in 960 airings over 40 days to an audience of approximately 1.5 million per day. The visibility also doubled the normal traffic to the campaign’s website while the ad was running, increasing public knowledge about the overall campaign and the availability of tools on the site to help people take the first step toward playing an instrument. The ad ran from June 3 to July 15.