It’s 1:30 here & I have just a few minutes to get an update in before I head off to the NAMM President’s Council meeting @ 2. The day has been packed with mostly meetings since 8 am Pacific time, and everyone’s running around setting up exhibits for the show opener tomorrow (Thursday).

Things kicked off this morning at the Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association (GAMA) meeting.
GAMA is an organisation that works to implement guitar programs in schools offering seminars to train music teachers around the country to develop programs in their schools. The overview of 2007 and the organizations accomplishments were interesting, however the highlight of the meeting had to be the address by Guitar Center mastermind and CEO, Marty Albertson.

During his talk Albertson touched on several key aspects of the guitar market and the issues we face in the upcoming year and what it may hold for the music industry. Alberston’s thoughts on recognizing music education and music teachers in the country were refreshing, since the 214 store Guitar Center chain does not have any music education programs, outside of it’s Music and Arts Center chain, to speak of. Albertson pointed out that more emphasis needs to be placed on music education while teachers need greater funding and resources if music stores such as Guitar Center, and others were to survive and grow.

Moreover, Albertsom believes we are moving into some economic headwinds for 2008 that may slow the growth of the music industry, but he remains convinced that the guitar segment of the music industry will continue to grow with the help of the video game, Guitar Hero III. Another surprise was Albertson’s admittance that Guitar Hero III was the music chains number one best selling item for the 2007 holiday period.

In 2008, Guitar Center has invested into www.tunecorp.com, which allows anyone to post an album to iTunes or any music hosting company on the internet. It’s part of what Albertson thinks is a shift in the paradigm that is leaning towards a Do It Yourself movement for musicians.

Another note before I wrap this up – rumor has it around the show that electronics giant Best Buy will remodel 600 of their stores to add full scale music stores. Stat tuned…