January 22, 2019

2/1/2019

Music Authority Family Newsletter - January 22, 2019

The Importance of a Network, Dawn Blair's Favorite Performance, and the NAMM Show

The Importance of a Network

This week is Winter NAMM, the week of the winter trade show for Music Retailers. I'll be making my third appearance at NAMM University, talking about the Music Authority educational programs and student retention. (The first two appearances were in Nashville. This is my first trip to California and I have to admit, I'm a bit nervous.)

Throughout my time in the industry, I heard a lot about the importance of the NAMM network. If you have enough friends and colleagues, someone can help you with just about anything. I never tested that theory until this summer.

When difficult times hit, and I needed an understanding ear who'd been there before, out came the NAMM contacts. I reached out, found other store owners who'd gone through what I was experiencing, and formed a support system. (I also got a healthy dose of humor when, after telling my very dramatic story, a good friend laughed and said, "that's happened to me twice!" So much for me being unique.)

This is a time to recharge my retail batteries, hear ideas from around the world, see new products, and share a piece of myself. It's humbling when you think you're going through the toughest experience in your professional career and someone walks up to you to say, "Thank you for your presentation. We're really struggling and you've given us hope."

Music Authority isn't all about me. It's not even my story I'm going to present. It's the story of every student, teacher, staff member, and parent who has walked through our door. It's the story of the network of Music Authority - a network that stretches across the country and around the globe.

Be a part of our journey this week. Follow me on Music Authority's Facebook and Instagram, see what I'm up to as I tell your story. NAMM is so much more than just products. It's sharing, building a network, laying a foundation for better things.

Like so much more in the Music Authority world, this week is about the network beyond the music.

- Melissa A. Loggins, Owner
#MusicAuthorityFamily
#beyondthemusic

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Dawn Blair's Favorite Musical Memory

I have a "special" music memory that includes my father-in-law Sid Blair. He was an educator and a renown tenor sax/clarinet player from the Detroit area who played in the Detroit Symphony and with people like Glenn Miller, Tex Beneke and Artie Shaw and many others.

My father-in-law was to be the head-liner for a jazz concert in Daytona Beach. This was going to be his last live performance before retiring his horns; my husband and I were working this concert with him.

During this sold out performance, with press present, Sid pulled a "quickie" and had the rest of band take a break while he had me, my husband and himself play an unrehearsed song on the spot for the audience. Suddenly we became the 3 Blairs. (no pun intended. Ha.)

It was a spontaneous musical moment, but jazz is about spontaneity. It was memorable in that he created an awesome musical moment between 3 family members in a way I never, ever forgot. Sid is now 92 years old and he still remains one of my favorite and most respected musicians of all time.

ESP Guitars

ESP Guitars have been part of the Music Authority Family almost the entire time we've been open. We'll be looking at gear to stock while we're in California - what would you like to see on the walls? Message us with the models and colors you're excited to try out!

Add an ESP guitar to your collection by stopping in to try one out at Music Authority today!

Off to California!

Melissa will be representing the Music Authority Family by speaking at the NAMM Show this week. Check out our social media starting Wednesday for updates from Anaheim!

Before she hops on a plane home, she'll be stopping by the Taylor Factory in Tecate, Mexico. Follow her adventures on Music Authority's Facebook and Instagram!

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Every once in a while we like to look back and remember concerts of years gone by. This show, from March 12, 2014, has a very familiar current student playing guitar. Can anyone recognize the student playing the white guitar? (Stage kick!)