The 2026 NAMM Show’s ‘Industry Insights’ Takes Center Stage for Historic Gathering of the Music Industry Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of NAMM
Keynote NAMM Show event will feature John Mlynczak announcing a new slate of resources and initiatives for global membership, as well as a gathering of top music industry guests
CARLSBAD, CALIF., January 14, 2026 – NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global not-for-profit music trade organization, will celebrate 125 years by spotlighting an extraordinary “Industry Insights” address from NAMM President and CEO John Mlynczak on Thursday morning, Jan. 22, to an estimated crowd of thousands of show attendees.
The 2026 NAMM Show, will be held Jan. 20-24, at the Anaheim Convention Center and surrounding hotel properties (NAMM Campus) in Anaheim, Calif. and will feature five days of incredible education, live concerts and special events, alongside three days of extraordinary exhibits and brand activations.
At this keynote NAMM Show event, Mlynczak is expected to announce a new slate of resources and initiatives that will strengthen the organization’s global membership and set the stage for a successful 2026 for the global music industry. Along with those morning announcements, “Industry Insights” will feature in-depth conversations with leaders of the music industry on a variety of topics impacting today’s business environment.
This year’s Industry Insights will celebrate not only the future of the music industry but also the legacy of 125 years of uniting music makers and 50 years of partnership with the city of Anaheim. The 2026 show will be the most expansive, celebratory and future-forward yet showcasing the crossroads of business, innovation and technology.
A snapshot of 2026 “Industry Insights” guests:
Rick Beato
Rick Beato is an American YouTuber, multi-instrumentalist, music producer and educator. Since the early 1980s, he has worked as a musician, songwriter, audio engineer, record producer and music educator. Beato owns and operates Black Dog Sound Studios in Stone Mountain, Ga. His YouTube channel, which currently has 5.4 million subscribers, covers genres ranging from rock, jazz and blues to rap and pop through his in-depth interviews with musicians and producers. Beato has lectured at several schools, including the University of Alabama and Berklee College of Music, and taught jazz studies at Ithaca College.
Whitney Brown Grisaffi
Whitney Brown Grisaffi is the president of Ted Brown Music, headquartered in Tacoma, Wash. The company has six locations and earned numerous accolades, including 11 consecutive years as a NAMM Top 100 Dealer, 2022 Retailer of the Year by Music Inc. magazine and two-time AIMM Dealer of the Year. Whitney is involved in various music organizations, including National Association of School Music Dealers (past president), Alliance of Independent Music Merchants (past advisory board), Washington Music Educators Association and National Association for Music Education. She also actively contributes to her community via philanthropic efforts, serving as vice president of the Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 and as a member of the Mary Bridge Brigade and Immanuel Presbyterian Church.
Thomas Ripsam
Thomas Ripsam is president and CEO of C.F. Martin, which is based in Nazareth, Pa., and was founded in 1833. He has served in that position since 2021. Thomas is a guitar player who’s passionate about fretted instruments. He holds a bachelor of arts in international business management from Reutlingen University and a master of business administration from Columbia Business School. C.F. Martin has been a NAMM member since 1947.
Hans Thomann
Hans Thomann is CEO of Thomann Musikhaus, a retailer of musical instruments, studio, lighting and pro audio equipment based in Burgebrach, Germany. Hans was originally trained as a precision electronic engineer and brass instrument maker. Thomann Musikhaus has received several distinct honors, including Deutscher Handelspreis German Retail Award; Family Company Hall of Fame, awarded by Handelsblatt; and Mail Order Business of the Year, Germany. Thomann Musikhaus has been a NAMM member since 1992.
The 2026 NAMM Show to Feature World-Renowned Lineup of Award-Winning Artists at Signature Events
Show Appearances Include The Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan, Green Day’s Mike Dirnt, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, Primus’ Les Claypool, Molly Tuttle and Many More
In related news, NAMM will celebrate 125 years by spotlighting an extraordinary roster of globally recognized artists to appear and perform throughout the NAMM campus at The 2026 NAMM Show, held January 20-24, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.
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Molly Tuttle will perform at Global Media
Day (Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026).
Photo courtesy of the artist
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It will kick off Wednesday, Jan. 21 with Global Media Day, an exclusive media/creator-only event showcasing the industry’s latest in innovative product from brands around the world. The event will open with a full-throttle rock performance by The Runarounds, a five-piece alt-rock band that’s the center of the Prime Video series, The Runarounds. Global Media Day will also feature critically acclaimed artist Margaret Glaspy and two-time GRAMMY® winner and Best New Artist nominee Molly Tuttle.
On Thursday, Jan. 22, Billy Corgan, founding member and frontman of GRAMMY® Award-winning band The Smashing Pumpkins, will be honored with the 2025 TEC Innovation Award at the 41st Annual NAMM TEC Awards. Renowned for his visionary approach to guitar-driven sound, experimental production and expansive creative output as a solo artist, producer, author, entrepreneur and advocate, Corgan has influenced generations of musicians and audio professionals. The TEC Awards will be hosted by globally recognized drummer Queen Cora Coleman.
The biggest night of bass returns with the 2026 Bass Magazine Awards at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California on January 22nd, 2026. This year’s award recipients are packed full of legends who will be performing including Mike Dirnt of Green Day, Les Claypool of Primus, Marcus Miller (Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock), Laura Lee of Khraungbin, and Blu DeTiger. Presenters include Robert Trujillo of Metallica, Justin Chancellor of Tool, Mark Hoppus of Blink-182, Derrick Hodge, Victor Wooten, and more to be revealed. Additional performances will include Stu Hamm, Vincen Garcia, Scott Mulvahill, and Pops Magellan.
Bass Magazine is excited to announce the first surprise performance reveal in welcoming Primus to the stage for an action-packed set in our intimate venue. Stay tuned in the next week for the rest of the performance reveals that you won’t want to miss. Get your tickets now while they’re still available. www.bassmagazineawards.com
On Friday, Jan. 23, the Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage will once again light up with the Yamaha All-Star Concert on the Grand — a genre-spanning celebration of rising stars and critically acclaimed performers that has amazed and delighted the crowd for years.
The current lineup for Friday features a dynamic mix of performers, with additional acts to be announced soon. It includes:
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The War and Treaty, a critically acclaimed husband and wife duo and Grammy nominees known for their powerhouse vocals and genre-defying sound.
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Alana Springsteen, a GOLD-certified, chart-topping artist-songwriter and one of Nashville’s breakout stars.
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Sheléa, a vocal powerhouse, musician and songwriter and Quincy Jones protégé, celebrated for her soulful interpretations and global performances.
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Ethan Bortnick, a piano prodigy turned viral alternative sensation who blends classical skill with Gen Z appeal.
Also on Friday, the She Rocks Awards will present its annual awards event honoring Carnie Wilson. Wilson, an actress, talk show host, reality show personality and member of iconic pop trio Wilson Phillips, continues to impact popular music through her lifelong creative work, live performances, recording projects and advocacy. Singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy will also be honored. The event supports the Women’s International Music Network’s mission to connect, amplify and celebrate women across all facets of the music industry.
On Saturday, Jan. 24, NAMM kicks off its final day with a blowout celebration at the annual Grand Rally for Music Education. This NAMM U Breakfast Session event unites educators, students, advocates and industry leaders for the organization’s flagship celebration of the power and importance of music education. Joining NAMM President and CEO John Mlynczak will be Chad Smith, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and longtime advocate for music education, and Victor Wooten, the five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning bassist, educator and author, whose work has inspired generations of players and students. The Grand Rally reaffirms NAMM’s and The NAMM Foundation’s commitment to expanding access to music education and supporting the next generation of creators.
For more information about The 2026 NAMM Show, event schedules and registration, please visit namm.org.
About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $19.5 billion music products industry. NAMM is comprised of 15,400 global member companies and individual professionals with a global workforce of over 475,000 employees. NAMM events and members fund The NAMM Foundation's efforts to promote the pleasures and benefits of music and advance active participation in music-making across the lifespan. For more information about NAMM, please visit www.namm.org. 
Robert Kinsler
