Happily returning for another year to NAMM Show’s musical motherland of cultivated creative chaos, I strapped in and suited up once more as a woman on a mission. Equipped with valuable lessons learned from years past such as staving off dehydration and starvation by not forgetting to drink water and eat properly as the hours evaporate, I thought I knew what to expect. When you have 5400 music brands and 60,000 show attendees in one place, it’s guaranteed you’ll meet someone new, see musical legends like Stevie Wonder or Vernon Reid on the show floor walking by, be mesmerized by a new instrument or music device and/or witness unforgettable performances. ‘Tis true that all this happened but the overall experience continued its expansion and offered a unique, surprising slice of the music industry found nowhere else.

With days filled sampling all the musical fare at the various booths scattered around the Anaheim Convention Center, stopping by NAMM Idea Center workshops and listening to soulful performances like Frank McComb’s in the QSC Demo Room, I also connected with the godfather of the MP3 format Dr. Karlheinz Brandenburg and artists like Simone Sello, Jann Klose, Josh Sahunta, Krista Marina, Jass along with her band and 2026 Grammy nominated group Los Wizzards (watch for these interviews soon). On Thursday night, I attended the 41st annual Tec Awards, hosted by Queen Cora whose dramatic flair, amusing wit and shirtless assistants, livened up the award presentations for excellence in musical studio production, wireless technology and electronic software development. The ceremony honoring Billy Corgan this year featured highlights like a massive Universal Audio award haul, Jimmy Jam accepting an award on behalf of Moog Audio and presenters like Teddy Riley, BT and Sylvia Massey.

The following night, I chatted on the red carpet with trail stomping honorees, hosts and performers at the 14th annual She Rocks Awards including Rhonda Smith, Judith Hill, Stitched Up Heart, Lauren Babic, Geena Fontanella, Michelle Lewis, Kay Hanley, Bonnie Gallanter and The Women in International Music Network founder Laura B. Whitmore (detailed recap to come). Spending the evening with all these unapologetic, fearless women restored my sense that creative freedom is not lost and protection of its sanctity remains paramount. Before I knew it, NAMM Show 2026 appeared in the rear-view mirror, renewing my eagerness to do it all again in 2027.