Day One NAMM
By Terry Miller
I’ve attended NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants ) conventions since the 1980’s and it’s always a kid in a candy store kind of feeling for me as a drummer and photojournalist.
But last Thursday I was hoping to get the first day off to a great start by seeing Brian Wilson play and sing a couple of songs at the Gibson booth. I’d been alerted via email in the morning of Wilson’s noon appearance but the car just wasn’t fast enough to get there in time. I should have driven my Little Deuce Coupe. I missed Brian’s performance by a mere ten minutes. Merde. For those of you who don’t speak French it means “ damn”. 
Oh well. I did however, hear about the performance by a guy from Gibson who said they played “ God only knows..” I was even more devastated. My favorite Beach Boy song, ever! – I missed the chance of a lifetime to see the legend in an intimate setting sing my favorite song by a mere ten minutes.
So, I went off the Press Room to console myself with a cup of coffee and start planning the rest of the afternoon.
When I got home I pulled out my copy of Pet Sounds…..Man, how could I have missed such a rare opportunity? Next time I’m takin’ the “B”…I couldn’t this time as it was raining!
More tales of music other legends I just missed NAMM tomorrow
