NAMM's National Music Store Weekend Applauds Small Business Leaders Who Champion Music Making in Local Communities

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) announced today that its National Music Store Appreciation Day returns to local communities on a larger scale this year with National Music Store Weekend. Held May 6 to May 8 as a special three-day celebration, local music stores will host open houses nationwide and encourage aspiring music makers to take that first step toward playing and singing. Announced by NAMM as the grand finale event culminating National Wanna Play Music Week, the commemorative event also recognizes and thanks the thousands of local small businesses nationwide who champion music making.

“Aspiring and existing musicians alike will agree that community music stores have been inspirational and influential in guiding them through their musical journey,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM, and lifelong drummer. “This weekend is dedicated to commending thousands of small business owners, who not only support their local business communities but also play a vital part in supporting the musical arts by encouraging and creating musicians around the country.”

In April, NAMM published the “Top 10 Reasons to Love (and Visit) Your Local Music Store” to show appreciation for local businesses that not only serve as an outlet to purchase an instrument but also as a community center. Participating music stores around the country will be hosting “music open houses” and other special events as part of National Music Store Weekend. Music makers can visit their local music store to ask for advice, purchase musical instruments and find out about local musical performances in their area.

Additionally, complementing the “Music Store Locator” and “Lesson Locator” currently available on the Wanna Play Music website, NAMM has launched the “Places to Play Locator” where musicians of all levels can connect with other players in their communities, as well as performance opportunities like open mic nights and drum circles. The free locators are on the left-hand toolbar of the www.wannaplaymusic.com page.

National Wanna Play Music Week kicked off with “Music Monday” on May 2 with schools and individuals across North America performing music at the same time on the same day in celebration of music making. NAMM continued the week with the announcement of the nation’s “Best Communities for Music Education” on Wednesday, and revealed results from a nationwide consumer poll on Thursday, which found that Halle Berry was America’s “Favorite Unexpected Musician,” and concluded the week with “National Music Store Weekend” announced on Friday.

For more information on the Wanna Play? campaign, please visit wannaplaymusic.com or www.facebook.com/wannaplaybynamm.

About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization's popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion global musical instruments and products industry. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of more than 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

About NAMM’s Wanna Play? Public Awareness Campaign
NAMM’s national Wanna Play? public awareness campaign is dedicated to increasing awareness of the proven benefits of playing musical instruments for people of all ages. Since the campaign’s launch in November 2006, the key messages about the fun and many proven benefits of playing music have reached millions of people through national public relations efforts. In addition, Wanna Play? has the support of more than 100 celebrities, including Jack Black, Jeff Daniels, Robert Downey Jr., Band from TV, Orianthi, and Gary Sinise. For more information and to get involved, interested parties can visithttp://www.wannaplaymusic.com/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jessica del Mundo or Elizabeth Lascaze – GolinHarris
Public Relations | Phone: 213-623-4200
jdelmundo@golinharris.com or elascaze@golinharris.com

Kymberly Drake – NAMM
Public Relations | Phone: 760-438-8007, ext. 162
kymberlyd@namm.org