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A Pianist's Postcard from NAMM

Hugh Sung at NAMM 2015

Dear ArtistWorks Online Popular Piano Students,

Greetings from the 2015 NAMM Show in sunny Anaheim, California! When I left Philadelphia a few days ago, the weather was bitterly cold and snow was starting to fall heavily all across the eastern seaboard. So heavily, in fact, that I almost missed my connecting flight from Washington DC to Dallas, but fortunately United Airlines came to the rescue and put me on a direct leg to Los Angeles (travel tip: ALWAYS sign up for text alerts with the airline you're flying on! Thanks, United!) What a relief to step off of the plane in sunny, 72-degree California weather at the end of my flight!

NAMM stands for the National Association of Music Merchants, a non-profit organization that provides a wide array of resources for music education and business support for the music industry. Every January, NAMM hosts its annual convention, bringing together one of the largest gatherings of music manufacturers, M.I. (music industry) professionals, and of course, artists and bands, from all over the world. Truly a musical mecca that provides a fascinating overview of the world of music!

Lounge 88 at NAMM, where many of the best pianos are on display

The NAMM show is not open to the public - you need to be a professional in the music industry or an invited guest. This year I was invited to attend by my good friend Rich Galassini, co-owner of the Cunningham Piano Company in Philadelphia, and co-host of my web show, Piano Tastings. In between meetings with piano manufacturing reps, we shot some great footage for upcoming episodes of Piano Tastings, featuring some pretty amazing pianos from Ravencroft, Grotrian, and Fazioli, as well as interviews with some terrific personalities in the piano world. As soon as I get a chance to edit them together, I'll be sure to share them with you!

Playing a beautiful piano from Mason & Hamlin

Oh, I have something really cool to share with you - on the first evening, as I was walking out of the Anaheim convention center, someone stopped in front of me, staring at me with jaw dropped to the ground. "You...you're...you're Hugh Sung!" he stammered! Well, gosh, I'm not that famous...but it was nice to get a little bit of "fandom"! Hahaha! Apparently, he knew me for being the co-inventor of the AirTurn, my wireless page-turning pedal system for reading sheet music on tablets and computers. How nice to be recognized! Here's the selfie we took from that serendipitous meeting - thanks, Carlos!

Selfie with a fan at NAMM

Day 3 is winding down as I write this to you. My feet are so sore right now from walking through the dizzying array of booths, instruments, and music-related products, and my brain is fried from being exposed to a staggering cacophony of sounds and sights. Still, it's always a thrill to be here, and as I'm becoming more and more of a NAMM veteran from several years of attending, it's wonderful to meet up with old friends while making new ones.

Meeting up with Kathy and Frank Baxter, founder of PianoWorld.com

I leave you with one final epic picture, a hilarious take on the "Iron Throne" by Gibson! Muahahahaha!

Hugh Sung sitting supreme on Gibson's "Iron Throne"

'Till my next post - keep practicing and posting those wonderful Video Exchange submissions!  I'll respond to them as soon as I can get to a piano - in a QUIET room!  Hahaha!

Hugs and Smiles from Sunny Anaheim,

Hugh

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