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My week at NAMM provided me with my much needed fix of music gear, great concerts, catching up with old friends and making new ones. I must tell you that my highlight of NAMM was not meeting a certain musician even though all that I met were truly wonderful in many ways. It was not about catching a concert and discovering a new band, even though I did get a chance to do just that and will tell you all about that in a future post. It was not about the parties or the dinners, those were incredible as well.

My highlight was just at the tail end of NAMM. Only an hour before the entire show closes, did my highlight come. I had been so busy during the week and had missed catching Tony Harnell at one of the booths earlier and on Saturday night my husband took Ryan to the Stryper concert at the House of Blues while I took Brandon out to Downtown Disney. I missed Tony Harnell again as he was one of the special guest singers that night. So when I checked my schedule and had down a visit to the TC Electronics Booth at 4 pm for a short performance by Tony Harnell and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, I was sure not to miss it. Even though, my feet and body were telling me to go home and call it quits, I was so glad I stayed committed to my schedule.

I was treated to one of the most amazing performances that I have ever heard. I was delighted to see that Cassandra Soto was added to the schedule to perform. I wrote earlier last year about Tony Harnell’s pledge project that includes the great guitar work of Ron and superb violin by Cassandra Soto. You can read more about that here.

They played three songs, three impressive heart-stirring songs. First they played a beautiful rendition of “Maybe I’m Amazed” the Paul McCartney hit and has always been one of my favorites. I swear it was like breathing in happiness and beauty with every sound. When you watch them perform, you can really see how well they work together and how much fun they are having doing just that. You can’t help but smile watching them.

Next, they played Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” and Cassandra “The Greek Goddess of Violin” adds such excitement to the piece, it was complete. You can’t help but watch Ron make it look so easy as he strums away with a smile on his face. As I have told you before, the voice of Tony is pure bliss. His voice is so smooth and intoxicating. I could literally get lost just listening to them and forget any worries or troubles I have. They just take me to that “happy place”.

Last song up was “Somebody to Love” by Queen, another one of my favorites! They just brought it all home with this one and you couldn’t help but sing along and join in the fun. The cohesion of these three bring musical symmetry to life. A pure enjoyment that I can’t thank them enough for.

Afterwards, they stuck around to sign some posters and when I stumbled away in a dizzy spell of musical bliss, I couldn’t help but smile the entire time as leaving the show, walking the 1.5 miles to the car and the ride home. I was literally in a trance like state of happiness. Yes, this has happened to me before but I tell you it has been years since I have felt like that from a performance! Thank you Tony, Ron and Cassandra for your gift of music!

I am so looking forward to the release of their new EP! You can still join in and be part of the making of Tony Harnell’s new EP through his Pledge Music Project. There are so many great exclusives that you can receive by making a pledge and being part of this EP.

I will include below the incredible performances from NAMM and hope you enjoy!

~ Marisol

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