Yamaha All-Star Concert on the Grand @ Yamaha Concert Stage (during the NAMM show), Anaheim, CA 1-26-18

Every year something goes at during the NAMM tradeshow and this year was no different. Yamaha planned a show at the Grand Stage without giving any detail on who would be performing. The plaza was packed and there was a lot of curiosity amongst people waiting to see and hear who would be the surprise artists. The stage was filled with the best of the best musicians led by musical director Nathan East.

Once East and his band played some warmup music, violinist Lindsey Sterling was the first guest to take the stage. She is one of the most energetic performers you will ever see. She covers every inch of stage dancing around while playing the violin. It’s a sight to see and her 2-song set went over extremely well.

Next up was vocalist Marc Broussard. If you never heard of Broussard, he can be categorized as “Bayou Soul.” His blend of blues, soul, funk and rock vocals shined on his 2 tracks “I love You More than You’ll Ever Know” and “Cry to Me.” A powerful but yet soothing set by Broussard.

Brossuard was followed by rocker Butch Walker. Walker more known for his work as a producer showed his chops on electric guitar. His 3-song set took the shows level up another notch. He was the only true hard rock part of the performance. He’s a very dynamic performance as he also mixed in some country in his set with “Closest Thing to You I’m Gonna Find.”

Singer songwriter and activist Melissa Etheridge was up next and Etheridge decided to take a different route to her performance. She decided to play a few covers and sandwiched in between those covers was her hit “I’m the Only One.” She took her time and told stories of how she played nearby Long Beach for 5 years 7 nights a week before she was signed.

Rhythm and blues artist Sheléa came next and her soulful voice brought attention right away from the crowd. This up and comer showcased what she is about. Her 3 song set included a cover of Whitney Houston’s “I’m Every Woman” which was a poignant song considering the current environment.

One of the biggest voices in music was up next in Michael McDonald. Coming off a new record that was released last fall in “Wide Open,” McDonald has been out and about doing dates in support of it and took a break out of his schedule to join this amazing collection of artists that Yamaha put together. McDonald did a collection of covers including the Stevie Wonder classic “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours” in which Etheridge came back out to sing with him. There was a real admiration on each side as they sang and the song went over just as well.

One of the biggest surprises in the set was the appearance of the next performer in Sam Moore. Moore is best known for his group “Sam & Dave.” Moore of course played “Soul Man,” which was the groups biggest hit. His take on the John Lennon song “Imagine” brought the crowd together as one as the song suggested. A terrific moment for the show.

The grand finale was McDonald taking behind the Yamaha keyboard to play and sing the Doobie Brothers classic “Takin’ it to the Streets.” He was joined by Walker, Etheridge, Sheléa, and Broussard.

Yamaha must be commended for bringing together a slew of artists that were very different. This melting pot of musicianship came together making it one of the highlights of NAMM 2018.

Setlist:

Beyond the Veil (Lindsey Stirling)

Crystalize (Lindsey Stirling)

Man for Life (Marc Broussard)

I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know (Marc Broussard)

Cry to Me (Marc Broussard)

Hot Girls in Good Moods (Butch Walker)

Ponce de Leon Avenue (Butch Walker)

Closet Thing to You I’m Gonna Find (Butch Walker)

Ain’t No Sunshine (Melissa Etheridge – Bill Withers cover)

I’m the Only One (Melissa Etheridge)

Piece of my Heart (Melissa Etheridge – Janis Joplin cover)