The velvet-voiced, smooth-slide-playing solo artist details his journey from sideman to frontman, shares the his approach to designing a fresh Strat model, explains how a forced reset reshaped his career path, of course, he and host John Bohlinger share a few jams.
NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global not-for-profit music trade organization, celebrated 125 years of NAMM at The 2026 NAMM Show — a powerful week that concluded on Jan. 24 and set the music industry’s narative for years ahead. Featuring five days of incredible education, live concerts and special events, alongside three days of extraordinary exhibits and brand activations, this year’s show featured 1,650-plus exhibitors representing over 5,400 brands and more than 200-plus educational sessions for NAMM member communities.
The 2026 NAMM Show highlighted innovative music technologies, product introductions and trends that will shape the future of the music industry during a five-day-long platform for networking, connections and meetings that are critical for uniting and growing music makers globally.
“The 2026 NAMM Show once again delivered an incredible week of unity and energy for our global NAMM members, showcasing products, partnerships and networking for the entire music industry,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. “NAMM continues to be the global stage for our industry to announce groundbreaking products, establish transformative partnerships and gain valuable education that drives success for our industry for the rest of the year.”
NAMM SHOW 2026 BY THE NUMBERS
60,000+ show attendees, including 8,760+ international attendees from 122 countries, regions and territories
1,650+ exhibitors representing 5,400+ brands, which is 25% more than 2025
Nearly 15,000 artists demonstrating and endorsing products and brands
1,600+ media, influencers and content creators reaching over 200+ million followers, which is 50% more than 2025.
NAMM SHOW 2026 SET LIST HIGHLIGHTS
Product Launches
The NAMM Electronic Press Kit, an online book of product and show announcements, tripled in size from 2025, with nearly 400 brands and companies using the platform to launch new products at The NAMM Show.
NAMM Global Media Day
Now in its third year, NAMM’s Global Media Day featured iconic brands spanning music, sound and entertainment technology categories to announce more than 500 ground-breaking products and business news to an exclusive media/creator/podcast-only audience of 750-plus guests.
NAMM Events and Awards Shows
Providing the platform for some of the industry’s best awards shows and live events, The 2026 NAMM Show saw sold-out crowds all week long, starting with the TEC Awards, followed by The Bass Awards Show, She Rocks Awards and The Parnelli Awards. Each show catered to a thriving professional community that gathered to honor the best of the best in each category.
Looking Back on NAMM, 125 Years Later
NAMM has been consistently guided by the best minds in the music business, who share a common desire to grow the industry and music making. Ever since 1901, NAMM leaders have come together, even as competitors, to ensure their association is helping the entire industry expand. The 125-year timeline is fully digitized and available to everyone on NAMM.org
NAMM’s Music for Life Honor Awarded to Industry Icon Rick Beato
NAMM presented globally acclaimed producer, educator, musician and YouTube creator Rick Beato with its highest honor, the Music for Life Award, in recognition of his lifelong contributions to music and commitment to inspiring music makers. In an exclusive Thursday morning Q&A with NAMM President and CEO John Mlynczak, Beato discussed his early musical influences, the music products that have helped define his career and the future of the music business in the age of AI.
NAMM’s Grand Rally for Music Education
NAMM rallied the industry around its mission Saturday morning, highlighted by magical moments with Grammy Award-winning artists Victor Wooten and Chad Smith. The session, hosted by John Mlynczak and Julia Rubio, brought the audience to its feet with inspirational performances, conversations and messages, as well as live performances from Roots of Rhythm.
The NAMM Foundation
In honor of our 125th “NAMMiversary,” and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, the NAMM Foundation — with a generous $125,000 matching donation from Chris Martin, past chair of NAMM — announced at the 2026 show a total of $250,000 in funds to give back.
The Return of NAMM NeXT Europe and New NAMM NeXT Latin America
Coming off the success of last year's inaugural event, NAMM NeXT Europe will return and NAMM NeXT Latin America will debut in 2026. These NAMM NeXT events are one- to two-day leadership conferences that will gather our industry to focus on how we can grow the industry and address common challenges.
The 2027 NAMM Show is already in the works for January 26-30, 2027, at the Anaheim Convention Center. Booths with early bird rates and discounts are available now at NAMM.
Cort Guitars announces the G290 Modern, a new electric guitar designed for players looking for a contemporary, high-performance instrument that delivers tonal flexibility, premium components, and modern playability in a single platform. Available now directly online and through select retailers worldwide, the G290 Modern reflects Cort’s approach to purposeful design, pairing upgraded materials with carefully selected electronics and hardware to meet the demands of today’s guitarists across genres and performance environments.
The G290 Modern features a bolt-on poplar body, paired with a roasted maple neck for enhanced stability and response. The neck is carved into Cort’s slim Ergo V profile and measures 25.5" (648mm) in scale length, with a neck thickness of 21mm at the first fret and 23mm at the 12th fret. A roasted maple fingerboard with a 12"–15.75" compound radius supports smooth playability across the neck, while 22 tall medium-jumbo stainless-steel frets provide durability and a consistent feel. Black dot inlays are complemented by luminous side dots for improved visibility on dark stages. A Graph Tech® Black TUSQ nut with a width of 1 21/32" (42mm) completes the neck design.
Electronics on the G290 Modern are built around an HSS pickup configuration designed for tonal versatility. A Seymour Duncan® TB4 humbucker in the bridge position delivers punch and clarity, while Cort® Voiced Tone VTS-63 single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions provide balance, articulation, and sparkle. Controls consist of a single volume knob, a single tone control with push-pull coil-splitting functionality, and a five-way selector switch, allowing players to move quickly between a wide range of sounds.
Hardware appointments on the G290 Modern reflect its performance-focused intent. The guitar is equipped with a Cort® CFA-III S tremolo bridge, Cort® staggered locking tuners, and chrome hardware throughout. Strings are factory-installed D’Addario® EXL120s, and a two-way adjustable truss rod with spoke nut allows for precise setup adjustments. The instrument is offered in Pale Graphite (PGR), Dusty Rose (DRS), and Military Beige (MBG) finishes, with a matte neck finish for a smooth playing feel.
For more information on the G290 Modern electric guitar, visit www.cortguitars.com.
Teisco (teisco.com) expands its pedal lineup with the introduction of a new collection of Mini pedals, delivering huge, expressive tone in a compact footprint. Designed to offer a comprehensive selection of essential sounds, the Mini pedals empower players of all levels to craft their own voice with confidence. True to Teisco’s fearless spirit, the brand’s bold personality and unmistakable aesthetics remain front and centre in this new collection.
Joining the celebration of this launch is a lineup of incredible artists and creators — Pedalboard Of The Day (@pedalboard_of_the_day), collector//emitter (@collectoremitter), Weish (@wweishh), and Old Dog (@oldoguitar) — who bring out the sonic brilliance and clever controls of these pedals.
The Teisco Mini collection features an extensive lineup of twelve all-new pedals, covering every essential need on the pedalboard, from fuzz and overdrive to delay, modulation, and tuning. Defying their compact footprint, these pedals deliver powerful, inspiring tones, proving that portability no longer comes at the expense of sound quality. Inspired by Japanese aesthetics, each model showcases a distinctive, eye-catching design that stands
out on any pedalboard. But it’s not just about looks: modern circuitry and true bypass switching ensure optimal signal integrity, offering the best of both worlds. Competitively priced, with US MAP starting at $59, the Teisco Mini pedals offer an accessible entry point for musicians seeking high-quality effects without compromise.
The pedals are now available worldwide via teisco.com and through select dealers.
Ever wondered how Billy Corgan achieves that massive "chainsaw" fuzz tone that defined an era of alternative rock? In this edition of "Blueprints", PG contributor Tom Butwin dives deep into the gear that makes it possible, featuring the Reverend Billy Corgan Z-One with its unique Bass Contour control, the Electro-Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi for that essential seventies-style grind, and the Gosh Amplification Problem Solver to provide a classic Marshall-style foundation.
This is it — the granddaddy of Pedalboard series. The MONO Pedalboard Large is a pro-sized and -featured pedal solution that won't weigh you down in size or cost. The Pedalboard Large is cut from a single piece of anodized aluminum for superior strength, light weight, and an elegant textured surface. Cutouts along the surface hide pedal jumpers and power cables for a streamlined, professional look. Rubber feet on the bottom absorb shock and prevent the Pedalboard Large from sliding across hard surfaces as you stomp
