Pictured above: From left, Sheléa Melody McDonald, Stevie Wonder and Alana Springsteen performing on Jan. 23, 2026.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz
Here is my roundup of the action I caught at the 2026 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California last week. A special "thank you" to Bob Steshetz for allowing me to use so many of his amazing photographs...Robert Kinsler
The NAMM Show, the largest music industry trade show in the world, returned to the Anaheim Convention Center and adjacent hotels last week for several days of education sessions, performances, award ceremonies, new product demos and much more.
NAMM SHOW 2026 BY THE NUMBERS
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60,000+ show attendees, including 8,760+ international attendees from 122 countries, regions and territories
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1,650+ exhibitors representing 5,400+ brands, which is 25 percent more than 2025
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Nearly 15,000 artists demonstrating and endorsing products and brands
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1,600+ media, influencers and content creators reaching over 200+ million followers, which is 50 percent more than 2025.
Below are some highlights of my visit to NAMM's 125th anniversary show.
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| From left, Molly Tuttle and Martin President/CEO Thomas Ripsam at NAMM's Global Media Day on Jan. 21, 2026. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
On Jan. 21, music journalists and social media influencers were given a preview of what select music manufacturers offered as part of NAMM's Global Media Day. Grammy Award-winning bluegrass artist Molly Tuttle and singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy, as well as rising young band The Runarounds performed as part of the event; Tuttle was excited to showcase two new signature Martin guitars (the D-18 and D-X2E).
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The Runarounds performing at NAMM's Global Media Day.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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Singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy performing at NAMM's Global Media Day.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
NAMM President/CEO John Mlynczak kicked off the Media Preview Day, held in the Hilton Pacific Ballroom. A number of other high-profile guests also participated during the event.
"We love to create new products," C.F. Martin & Co. President/CEO Thomas Ripsam said.
Ripsam was joined by Tuttle at several media-related events on Jan. 21. "All my favorite guitar players played Martin (guitars)," Tuttle noted.
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| Molly Tuttle performing at the Martin Guitars Booth on Jan. 21, 2026. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler |
Tuttle was truly one of the great musicians I caught performing at NAMM this year; the Santa Clara, California native — who celebrated her 33rd birthday earlier this month — began playing guitar at age 8. She released her fifth studio album So Long Little Miss Sunshine in August 2025. Her performance of the original song "San Joaquin" from her 2023 album City of Gold was a highlight for me (you can see that performance HERE).
At the media event Mlynczak noted that "5,400 brands are collaborating" with NAMM this year and the industry show saw double the product releases in 2026 compared with 2025. "This is where new products flourish," he noted.
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Guitarist Chris Buck demonstrating his technique and the sound of Yamaha's Chris Buck Signature Rev-star RS02CB at the NAMM Show.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
Among the wide range of new guitars showcased that day were PRS Guitars' Silver Sky Wild Blue Limited Edition and Ed Sheehan Cosmic Splash Limited Edition guitar models, Yamaha's Chris Buck Signature Rev-star RS02CB and C.F. Martin & Co.'s Super D-14 Acoustic Guitar line (the latter whose larger body provides for 20 percent more air volume and projection).
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| John Mlynczak at NAMM. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
Jan. 22 saw Mlynczak welcome attendees at the NAMM U Breakfast Session - Industry Insights. During his keynote address before thousands of NAMMgoers, he explained because "Music-making is a core function of society, we are consistently guided by the best minds win the industry and we adapt, evolve and learn from the past."
That day also saw several memorable performances.
During a powerful 40-minute daytime set on the Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ron Artis II was backed by a great two-man rhythm section. He delivered strong originals blending rock, blues, soul, and more. Among my favorite originals he performed was the propulsive funk-fueled "The Truth."
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Laurence Juber performing on the Martin Guitar
Acoustic Stage.
Photo credit: Robert Kinsler |
Another fantastic live performance that Thursday came courtesy of Grammy Award-winning fingerstyle guitarist Laurence Juber, who appeared on the Martin Guitar Acoustic Stage. His signature instrumentals were unleashed before a big, enthusiastic crowd. Standouts included his dazzling takes on the Jimi Hendrix classic "Little Wing," The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever" and The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again."
On Jan. 23, I caught a number of other performances. The most high-profile of the concerts was led by instrumental guitar virtuoso Matteo Mancuso. The Italian guitar master's set on the Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage blended progressive rock, jazz and flamenco elements into a signature sound across a 40-minute crowd pleasing appearance.
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Cannibal & the Headhunters at the end of the troupe's Jan. 23, 2026 set at NAMM.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
Later that afternoon on the DAS Audio Arena Plaza Stage, a "Legends Concert" featuring Cannibal & the Headhunters celebrating the classic rock era had attendees dancing, cheering and enjoying a number of rock radio staples; the highlight was seeing John Wayne Townsend play keys and sing his enduring 1977 hit "Smoke From a Distant Fire."
The 2027 NAMM Show will take place from Jan. 26-30, 2027 in Anaheim, CA.
PRODUCTS AND PERFORMANCES APLENTY
Below is a photo gallery of more images captured at the 2026 NAMM Show.
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Chinese-made Caraya banjos on display.
Photo credit: Robert Kinsler |
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Singer-songwriter-guitarist Ron Artis II in action on Jan. 22.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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Traveler Guitars make quite an impression.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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A close-up look at the Ed Sheehan Cosmic Splash Limited Edition
instrument showcased by Stevensville, MD-based PRS Guitars.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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A one-of-a-kind art guitar crafted by John Page. Learn
More via johnpageguitars.com.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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An attention-grabbing Guitar Capo.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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An impromptu jam at NAMM.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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A closer look at road-ready Traveler Guitars.
Photo credit: Robert Kinsler |
Robert Kinsler
