“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.” - Hunter S.Thompson
The NAMM Convention, for those of you not familiar, is a HUGE “Invitation Only” music industry trade convention held every year in Anaheim,CA, filled with fans of music, retailers, musicians, VP’s of companies, Rockstars,Rock Legends,Rock Icons and musicians looking to get endorsements, while fans are looking for autographs.
The First NAMM Convention I attended was years ago with my younger brother Devon (of the band BETA WOLF) and I scored passes thanx to my first endorsement, BABICZ GUITARS / FULL CONTACT HARDWARE (thanx to Jeff Carano). My brother showed up wild eyed at all the gear while I showed up with a backpack full of press kits & a heart filled with dreams.
Over the years I would walk around making my mark and thanking those that helped me make a mark while pointing and yelling “is that BONO? look it’s Nikki Sixx! OMG, did I just pass Stevie Wonder after just standing in line to pee with Yngwie Malmsteen (80’s Neo Classical Guitar God). Its a surreal world and every year I wished I was the one signing at the booths,taking pictures and signing autographs for fans while walking around with arm candy staring at Gear booths adorning my image on their displays..
Fast forward a couple years, a Sold Out UK tour, Two Top 10 European Videos,Stinky Tour Bus and an appearance on the video game ROCK BAND 3 for xBox,There I was, standing with my wife, about to speak about my “Production & Songwriting Techniques” while staring at a life size image of myself next to HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD (who I was lucky enough to remix this year), across from DAVE NAVARRO at the ROLAND / CAKEWALK Booth. All this came the day after a meeting with Producer John Ryan (of SEAL,STYX„SANTANA Fame…and whose load of Platinum Albums blinded me,comparable to that of my mentor BEAU HILL of RATT,ALICE COOPER Fame *side note: as if I wasn’t lucky enough to have already learned from a legend*).
WOW, I had become THAT guy. The musician I used to dream to be like…I have arrived and I couldn’t be more thankful,honored and excited…I did however miss my two beautiful dogs,but wow, it’s 2012 and I’ve finally got my crack at bat. Apparently dreams are possible and i’m in FACT,not delusional…Chase Yours!..Now,to survive in it!
