Axehole

Once a week at Axehole, it’s WTF Friday, where we bring you the most unusual music news of the week.

This week’s a little different. This week’s WTF Friday takes a look at the 2006 Summer NAMM Session, held last week in Austin, Texas, which was one big “W.T.F.?”.

Why was it such a boring NAMM? Why were there so few new announcements? Why wasn’t there anything going on in Austin? Most of all, who chose Austin, Texas in July? WTF?

According to NAMM, the International Music Products Association, the 2006 Summer Session had 17,207 total registrants for the three-day event, a 14 percent decrease in registrants from the 2005 summer trade show. Actual attendance seemed to be even lower, perhaps because some registrants chose not to brave the heat.

Unfortunately for everybody, the show was a disappointing, the city was dead and the heat was oppressive.

One of the few places we saw a crowd was when Playmate Kara Monaco was signing pictures:

And then there were the Schecter ladies, who dressed for the heat:

The NAMM folks put a positive spin on the event, though the show doesn’t seem to bode well for the future of Summer NAMM:

“During this time of intense industry change, the NAMM Members who came to Austin took positive steps to position themselves for success in the third and fourth quarters,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. “The NAMM University sessions were packed all weekend; supplier and dealers concerns were dealt with in an open and productive manner; and most importantly, a lot of independent dealers struggling with a changing retail model found new energy and hope from being around their peers in this great musical city.”

Lamond continued, “We recognize that this show isn’t for all of our Members. And as long as there are enough NAMM Members who want a summer gathering to help position their businesses for success in the second half of the year, NAMM will provide the venue. For us, it’s a service decision, not a financial one. We are grateful for all the constructive feedback. We will continue to find new and innovative ways to increase the ROI for both buyers and exhibitors who choose to participate.”

The 2007 NAMM Show will take place January 18–21 in Anaheim, Calif., and the 2007 Summer Session is scheduled for July with more details coming soon from NAMM.

Our guess is that it they won’t try Austin in July again.