1967 - The NAMM board began exploring year-round member services beyond the annual trade show. Initiatives included educational resources and printed materials such as Career Opportunities in Music!

We Reach
1,000 Members

Professional Development Becomes Part of the Show

1960 - As the show grew in both size and influence, NAMM introduced clinics and workshops designed to educate members on key industry topics, including sales strategies, store design and emerging technical innovations.

The British Invasion Fuels
Instrument Sales

1964 - Fueled by The Beatles' arrival to the U.S. and their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, demand exploded for guitars, amplifiers and band instruments.

Civil Rights Movement
Opens Doors 

1963 - Music became a unifying force during the Civil Rights Movement, shaping its message through gospel, folk, soul, blues and jazz, giving sound to injustice, resilience and the demand for equality.

American Music Conference Promotes School Music

1966 - AMC spearheaded national campaigns encouraging active music participation. Through programs like Turn On to Music, the organization promoted school band and orchestra programs as essential to a well-rounded education.

Combo Stores Supply
Garage Band Boom

1965 - New musical instruments and technologies opened creative possibilities, with electric guitars gaining expressive power through effects like distortion and wah-wah pedals.

The Wonderful World of Music

The British Invasion and popular culture drove explosive interest in youth music-making. NAMM offered dealer clinics and promoted advocacy efforts to protect and expand music education programs in schools.

NAMM Celebrates 50 Years!

A booming economy and the rise of rock ’n’ roll creates unprecedented demand for guitars, drums and amplified instruments. NAMM expands its shows and education initiatives to help dealers serve a new generation of music makers.

First Female Board 
Director Elected

1957 - NAMM elected its first female board director, Frances Jones, general manager of Kitt Music in Washington, D.C.

NAMM Show Is Center for Educators and Suppliers

1951 - Growth of the school band and orchestra movement transformed the show into a center for educators and suppliers. The NAMM Show celebrated 50 years!

Fender Introduces 
Solid Body Guitar

1950s - Electric guitars and basses gained widespread adoption and amplified sound systems and magnetic tape recording changed the sound of the postwar generation.

The Birth of 
Rock 'n' Roll

1950s - Popularized by Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley, rock 'n' roll boosted record sales and created demand for electric guitars, drums and amplifiers.

AMC Promotes 
Recreational Music Making

1957 - The American Music Conference is founded, supporting large-scale advocacy campaigns to encourage recreational music-making and school band programs.

Spinet Pianos, Electric Guitars and Home Stereos

1950s - Innovations featured at The NAMM Shows during the '50s included home stereos and radios as well as amplified instruments and improved microphones.

A Decade of Resilience and Reinvention

The 2020s marked a decade defined by challenge and resilience. In 2024, The NAMM Show returned to its traditional January schedule following the pandemic, renewed by a focus on the creators and influencers who helped music-making thrive online and keep people connected to music worldwide. NAMM also expanded its global reach by hosting events abroad that brought together international members and industry leaders. Reflecting the evolving music products landscape, NAMM updated its bylaws to broaden membership eligibility to include lesson programs, gear rental services and repair shops.

NAMM Creates the Member Services Team

2023 - The new department united policy initiatives, member education, Careers in Music and the Resource Center to better serve members.

NAMM Show Tops 100k Then Forced to Go Virtual

2020 - The NAMM Show reached 116,000 attendees, just before the pandemic forced cancellations and virtual Believe in Music Week (2021) temporarily replaced it.

NAMM NeXT Brings Europe’s Music Industry Together

2025 - European members gathered in Brussels for a successful NAMM NeXT, energized by the opportunity to connect around a Europe-based NAMM meeting.

2024 NAMM Show Overwhelming Success

2024 - The NAMM Show returns to its regular show cycle held in January in Anaheim, CA,  with 1,600+ exhibitors representing 3,500+ brands from around the globe.

NAMM Foundation Expands Program Offerings

2022 - The NAMM Foundation expanded Music Education Days, GenNext and launched Careers in Music.

Celebrating 125th NAMM Milestone 

2026 - The NAMM Show marks 125 years of service to the music products industry and looks ahead with a continued commitment to uniting innovators, retailers and music industry professionals. 

A National Association Is Born!

Founded in 1901 as the National Association of Piano Dealers of America (NAPDA), NAMM was created to unite music merchants and strengthen a young, growing industry. Early leaders focused on building credibility through organized conventions while addressing practical challenges such as display space, customer access, freight costs and tariffs that directly impacted dealers nationwide.

Welcome National Association of Piano Dealers

1901 - Fifty-two dealers attending the 10th annual Piano Manufacturers Association convention formed the National Association of Piano Dealers of America (NAPDA). 

First Trade Show with
Exhibits

1909 - The organization hosted its first trade show with exhibits in Detroit, Michigan, marking a major shift in how the industry gathered and conducted business.

Talking Machines 
Challenge Tradition

1906 - The rise of talking machines and player pianos challenged traditional piano galleries by replacing hands-on playing with at-home listening. 

Travel Changes Provide 
Big Impact

1903 - While members were requesting extra hitching posts at the convention, the arrival of the Ford Model T soon transformed sales and distribution.

John Philip Sousa Signs Record Deal

1909 - The rise of march music and community bands—amplified by John Philip Sousa’s recordings on the talking machine—helped bring band music into American homes.

More Player Pianos Sold 
Than Bathtubs!

1908 - Player pianos had become one of the most popular consumer products in America, outselling even bathtubs, bringing music-making into more homes than ever before.

NAMM Show Transitions Into Larger Show Model

NAMM created new programs to support music at a time when economic recessions and school budget cuts threatened programs nationwide. At the same time, the association transitioned its trade shows from hotel ballrooms and sleeping rooms into modern convention centers, laying the foundation for the larger, more professional format we know today.

NAMM Introduces 
Regional Seminars

1972 - NAMM introduced regional seminars and workshops (Atlanta and San Francisco), experimenting with ways to serve members beyond the convention.

The Early West Coast 
Winter Shows

1970 - The industry reflects on NAMM Winter Market moving to Los Angeles and then later to Anaheim (1976), beginning the dual-show format.

Home Organ Boom 
Hits its Peak

1970 - Organ sales surged in the early 1970s, with home and electronic organs dominating the market and occupying nearly a quarter of The NAMM Show floor.

Youth Counterculture Drives Sales as War Ends

1975 - Vietnam War Ends: Youth counterculture, protest music and GI-influenced music tastes drove demand for guitars and portable instruments.

AMC Expands
Outreach

1971 - AMC expanded outreach with Music Educators National Conference (MENC, now NAfME), and supported legislation to protect music programs in schools.

The Synthesizer
Revolution

1973 - Electronic musical instruments continued to evolve through rapid advances in technology and the vision of creative engineers. Innovators such as Don Lewis imagined new sonic possibilities.

NAMM Supports Dealers Through
WW1 Challenges

As demand for player pianos and phonographs continued to grow, the music products industry faced new pressures brought on by World War I and material shortages. NAMM supported its members through advocacy, communication and shared resources. These efforts helped dealers adapt to changing consumer habits during a time of global uncertainty.

NAPDA Changed its Name
to NAMM

1919 - The National Association of Piano Dealers of America expanded its scope to include band instruments and other musical products, becoming the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM).

Charlie Chaplin Attends
Trade Show

1915 - During the San Francisco convention, silent film legend and songwriter Charlie Chaplin delighted attendees with a skit demonstrating how to sell pianos.

Protecting Trademarks and Preventing Fakes

1914 - The board tackled issues including stenciling inferior pianos with good names, false advertising, installment business profitability and fair freight rates.

The United States Enters World War I

1917 - WW1 introduced challenges the young association had never faced before, impacting members nationwide. NAMM’s board responded offering support and guidance during wartime.

Recreation Piano Playing Campaign Launches

1910 - Publicity sheets were mailed to over 600 leading daily newspapers highlighting the enjoyment of playing the piano.

Parlor Instruments Experience Big Boom

1912 - Parlor guitars, banjos,  band instruments and sing-along publications surged in popularity as music-making moved into American homes bringing families together.

Talking Machines Reshape Retail

Music dealers found new opportunities by expanding their offerings to include talking machines and phonographs. As the Jazz Age fueled interest in band and fretted instruments, radio introduced listeners to musical styles and sounds they may never have heard before. During this period, NAMM emphasized dealer education and promoted music’s role in community life to help members thrive in a changing retail landscape.

NAMM Expands 
Membership Eligibility

1922 - NAMM's bylaws were updated to expand membership eligibility to include band instrument and phonograph dealers.

New Open Forum at
Trade Show 

1929 - NAMM encouraged members to share ideas with one another through open forum discussions,  which later evolved into the peer-led educational sessions of today.

Radio Ownership 
Threatens Piano Sales

1924 - Radio ownership exploded, changing how people consumed music. Families could now hear music at home, causing a major dip in parlor instruments and piano sales.

The Great Depression 
Begins

1929 -Nothing prepared the music products industry for the economic collapse. NAMM encouraged suppliers and dealers to work closely to help businesses stay open.

NAMM Joins Cause for 
Music Advancement

1924 - NAMM takes part in the industry’s National Bureau for the Advancement of Music, which created National Music Week in the 1920s.

Big Band Booms

1926 - The Jazz Age ignited a surge in saxophones, trumpets and drum kits as more than 2,000 touring big bands filled ballrooms, radio airwaves and early films.

NAMM Offers Stability During the Great Depression

During the Great Depression, as consumer spending declined and many music businesses faced serious challenges, NAMM provided stability through leadership, collaboration and shared industry knowledge. By offering education and guidance, the association helped members navigate economic hardship and sustain their businesses until conditions improved.

National Cooperation for
Post-Depression Growth

1937 - NAMM leadership emphasized national cooperation, preparing groundwork for post-Depression growth.

NAMM Show Canceled 
During Great Depression 

1932 - The show was canceled twice, first in 1932 and again in 1934. The 1933 show was the first year all attendees were required to wear badges.

First Electric
Guitar

1934 - The first electric guitar, Rickenbacker's Frying Pan, was introduced.

Federal Programs Lay Groundwork for Music Ed

1936 - Federal WPA programs and music educators promote ensemble playing, laying groundwork for music education in schools.

NAMM Promotes Music as Home Entertainment

1939 - Amid the Great Depression, NAMM emphasized music as affordable home entertainment and promoted school music programs as vital to youth development.

Home Organs Fill 
Living Rooms

1937 - The Hammond organ was introduced during The NAMM Show, sparking a major shift in the industry. The innovation helped launch decades of steady growth.

Instrument Manufacturing and Supplies 
Shift for the War Effort

World War II disrupted instrument manufacturing as metals were diverted to the war effort. In 1947, NAMM helped establish the American Music Conference (AMC) to promote school and community music programs, ensuring postwar generations had access to music-making.

More Than Just a 
Trade Show

1946 - Membership bylaws reaffirm NAMM’s role in advocacy and service beyond just trade shows.

Attendance Booms After 
Second Canceled Year

1942 - 1946 - Canceled in 1942 and 1945 due to the impact of World War II, the show returned in 1946, ushering in a new era of prosperity for the industry.

WWII Shifts Raw Material Usage and Manufacturing

1942 - The War Department issued restrictions on materials like brass, copper, steel and aluminum, which were redirected to the war effort for machinery.

WWII Impacts the Music Industry

1941 - WWII disrupted manufacturing, labor and material supplies. NAMM served as a unifying voice, helping members navigate the industry's instability.

Introducing The American Music Conference!

1947 - AMC formed! An early NAMM logo in the 1940s emphasized a music education campaign.

Accordions and Harmonicas Fuel Sales in a Tough Era

1940 - Harmonicas reached record-high sales, in part because soldiers could easily carry them. Accordions experienced strong growth, contributing to recreational music making.

NAMM Winter Market Relocates to 
Anaheim Convention Center

During the 1980s, The NAMM Show reflected a rapidly evolving music industry, with synthesizers, drum machines, MIDI technology and digital recording tools becoming central to new product launches and show buzz. Instrument trends shifted toward electronic keyboards, rack-mounted gear, effects processors and advanced guitars, mirroring the rise of pop, new wave, arena rock and emerging hip-hop. Anaheim becomes the winter show's new home.

Headquarters Relocates to Carlsbad, California

1984 - NAMM HQ moved from Chicago to Carlsbad, to better position the association closer to emerging industry innovation, trade shows and global connectivity.

Innovation Broadens on The NAMM Show Floor

1981 - Technology occupied a growing presence on The NAMM Show floor, reflecting rapid advances across recording, production and digital tools.

MIDI Is Officially Launched During The NAMM Show

1984 - After meetings the previous year, Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) debuted at The NAMM Show to great enthusiasm, prompting a historic wave of innovative products.

MTV, CDs and DJs:
A Cultural Revolution

1981 - MTV reshaped how music was discovered and marketed, placing visuals and youth culture at the center of the industry. Meanwhile, compact discs and the rise of hip-hop and DJ culture transformed listening habits.

AMC Launches “Make Music America”

1985 - “Make Music America” campaigns raised awareness of the benefits of music education, and research linked music making with academic and personal growth.

Digital Keyboards & Synthesizers

1986 - Digital keyboards, pianos and portable instruments gained popularity as manufacturers embraced emerging digital technologies. 

Summer Show Continues to Grow

Summer NAMM continued to grow during the 1990s, reflecting rapid change across the music products industry. Digital tools such as audio workstations, samplers and effects advanced recording and production workflows. Live sound and recording technology improved, supporting increasingly sophisticated performances and tours. Meanwhile, grunge, alternative rock, punk and metal fueled strong sales of guitars, basses and drums. Hip-hop and electronic music expanded demand for turntables, samplers and production gear. Together, these trends reinforced The NAMM Show as a center where culture, commerce and innovation converged.

NAMM Builds Expanded 
HQ Building

1998 - NAMM constructed what is the current HQ building. The expansion provided meeting space, The NAMM Resource Center to house industry archives, and the Museum of Making Music, which would open in 2000.

Global Attendance Surges 
as Show Moves to LA

1998 - While the Anaheim Convention Center was under expansion construction, The NAMM Show moved to Los Angeles for three years as attendance and international reach surged.

Internet Emerges and Connects the World 

1990s - Internet connectivity began reshaping how the music industry communicated, marketed products and shared information, opening new pathways for education and commerce.

NAMM University 
Formalizes Education

1995 - NAMM Show educational sessions were rebranded as NAMM University to highlight their focus on real-world industry needs, led by fellow members sharing practical insights and experience.

NAMM and VH1 Partner on 'Save the Music'

1998 - Highlighting how music study in schools improves academic achievement, the nonprofit initiative was created to combat the elimination of music programs in U.S. public schools.

Home Studios and Grunge Music Boost Sales

1990s - Affordable home recording equipment put production tools within reach of musicians, as compact mixers, consoles and tape machines entered homes and project studios. 

Home Studio Gear Fuels the Market

During the 2000s, The NAMM Show reflected the digital revolution in music, with rapid growth in recording software, audio interfaces, virtual instruments and home-studio gear. Instrument trends balanced technology with tradition, as electric guitars, basses and drums remained strong while DJs and producers fueled demand for controllers, turntables and loop-based tools alongside pop, hip-hop, indie and electronic music. The decade cemented NAMM’s role as a launchpad for innovation, connecting evolving music styles with new product categories and modern retail models.

NAMM Celebrates 
100-Year Anniversary

2001 - NAMM partnered with its members to celebrate the association's 100th anniversary by honoring the past while investing in the future of the music products industry.

Winter and Summer 
Shows Grow

2006 - The Winter NAMM Show reached record-breaking attendance, while Summer NAMM found a steady home in Nashville, highlighting NAMM’s year-round influence. 

Social Media Connects
the Globe

2003 - Social media transformed artist promotion, product marketing and industry engagement with the launch of My Space and Facebook.

Global Financial
Crisis

2008 -  An economic downturn tightened discretionary spending, impacting high-end instrument sales but fueling growth in affordable entry-level products.

The NAMM Foundation
Is Founded

2006 - The NAMM Foundation takes over AMC’s mission, launching Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) and expanding advocacy through the NAMM D.C. Fly-In.

Digital Audio
Workstations

2002 - DAWs matured in the 2000s, bringing professional recording, editing and mixing tools into software-based computer systems. Increasing computing power and software innovation replaced costly hardware setups.

The Rise of Music Technology

During the 2010s, The NAMM Show highlighted the rise of music technology, with strong growth in digital audio workstations, MIDI controllers, mobile apps and integrated live-performance gear. Instrument trends blended innovation and nostalgia, as boutique guitars, analog synths and effects pedals thrived alongside electronic, pop, hip-hop, EDM and bedroom-producer culture. The decade reinforced NAMM’s role as a global center where creators, brands and retailers converged around modern music-making and connected communities.

Year-Round Learning 
With NAMM U

2010 - NAMM University evolved into NAMM U Online, offering year-round learning for members. Programs expanded to cover topics ranging from e-commerce to marketing, finance and live sound safety.

NAMM Show Opens to Live Event Professionals

2011 - The show expands into event tech (lighting, staging, pro audio) with TEC Tracks, AES@NAMM and the TEC Awards becoming a comprehensive event for the entire music ecosystem.

The Rise of Digital
Modeling

2013 - Digital modeling advanced during the 2010s as increased computing power and sophisticated software enabled realistic emulation of instruments, amplifiers and studio gear.

Streaming Becomes Dominant Music Source

2014 - Streaming became the dominant way audiences accessed music in the mid-2010s, shifting the industry from ownership-based sales to subscription listening.

NAMM Lobbies for 
Music Education

2015 - NAMM members actively lobbied in Washington, D.C., for passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, which recognized music as part of a well-rounded education.

The Rise of Looping and the Rebirth of Ukes

2011 - Looping gained momentum as accessible pedals and software encouraged new approaches to creating music. Meanwhile, the ukulele surged in popularity thanks to its affordability and visibility through pop culture.

Looking Back at the 1950's Member Banquet

NAMM member Danny Henkin, past president and owner, CG Conn, looks back at his first time at a NAMM member banquet where he realized at a young age that the music products industry is where he belongs.

RCA, Capitol and Columbia Records Join NAMM

NAMM Past Chair Joel Menchey, president of Menchey Music, reflects on a unique chapter in NAMM's history where record companies, music stores, recording artists and trade shows shared the same space. 

Highlights From the 65th Annual Music Show

A 1966 WMAQ Chicago news package covering the sights and sounds of the show at the Conrad Hilton Hotel.

The Industry Remembers Ziggy Coyle

Ziggy Coyle, 1925-2013, a longtime industry leader and NAMM past president, served during a pivotal period of growth and globalization for the music products industry.

The Industry Remembers Bill Gard

William R. Gard, NAMM vice president from 1948-1981, is remembered for his leadership that helped guide the association through a period of growth while strengthening its commitment to member services, advocacy and the long-term vitality of the music products industry.

This is NAMM!

An in-house promotional video highlights the benefits of NAMM membership and showcases the market development programs geared towards creating more music makers.

NAMM Members Advocate for Music Education

NAMM expanded its advocacy on Capitol Hill by championing federal support for music education, building relationships and positioning music and the arts as essential components of a well-rounded education.

Remembering 
Otto B. Heaton

Narrated by Kevin Cranley, former NAMM executive committee chair

Hotel Rooms as 
Exhibit Spaces

A look back at early trade exhibit hotel rooms by day, sleeping rooms by night.

Remembering 
Jerome F. Murphy

Narrated by Paul Murphy, former NAMM executive committee chair

An Era of Growth

The NAMM Show temporarily moved to Los Angeles while the Anaheim Convention center expanded, and later added ACC North to showcase professional audio products.

Music Dealers for a National Association

NAMM Chair Chris White (2025-2027 term), president of White House of Music, narrates this historic look back at the birth of our association.

A Decade of Change, Challenge and Opportunity

NAMM Chair Chris White (2025-2027 term), president of White House of Music,  narrates a historic look back at early challenges and opportunities for the music products industry.

2025 NAMM Show Highlights

A look back at the sights and sounds of The 2025 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California.