Third Annual Gear Expo Nashville Recap
It was another celebrity-studded event in Music City where the audio community of all ages came together. Pensados Place and Vintage King teamed up yet again for another successful Gear Expo Nashville, a pro audio gear and music-making exposition celebrating its third year. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to attend and view all the new gear. Here is a recap of this great pro-audio-based event.
Gear Expo Nashville is an audio gear event with resources for anyone involved with professional audio, home recording, or simply making music. The event was designed to create a fun, block party atmosphere centered on community and networking. Attendees had a chance to mingle with the celebrity guests, fellow artists, audio engineers, and industry professionals. Gear Expo Nashville was free to the public with complimentary charter bus service from and to the parking lot throughout the day. Now, how can you beat that?
Not even a brief downpour of rain during the first hours of the event could dampen the spirits of these fans and die-hard audio enthusiasts. Many traveled from different states and countries to attend the event. This shows the impact and community vibe this event stands for.
Audio manufacturers packed the exhibits with exclusive discounts and giveaways. Throughout the day, product giveaways were given out by iZotope, Focal, API, Ableton, Audio-Technica, Chandler Limited, G-Technology, Mojave Audio, UE, and Iso Acoustics.
The Gear Expo special panel guests included top artists, engineers, producers, and industry notables who represent the Nashville music community. Panel members gave their insights on how to start a career in the music industry, the path they took, and the dedication one must have.
The Professional Industry Panel included:
• WARRIOR PRINCESS: Career Paths for the Ladies, with Carma Bandstra (The Blackbird Academy), Roxanne Ricks (Audio-Technica Artist Relations), Sharon Corbitt-House (partner/manager, All Good Factory, and VP/Studio Operations, Grand Victor Sound) and Beverly Keel (Chair, Dept. of Recording Industry at Middle Tennessee State University, and noted journalist)
• MARKETING WITH TODAY’S MEDIA: Building Your Brand and Audience, with Will Thompson (Habitual Social), Eric Allen (Social Media Manager, Vintage King Audio), Nicki D (EMMY®-nominated Country Music Host), and Producer Ray (Producer, The Bobby Bones Show)
• ELECTRONIC JAM: Machines for Studio and Stage, with Jeremy Ellis (Native Instruments Maschine Guru), Oliver Dodd (Moog Master), and Christian Crux Thomas (Ableton Certified Trainer)
• NASHVILLE’S FINEST: Producers & Engineers Behind the Hits, with engineer/mixer/producer Ryan Hewitt (The Avett Brothers, Red Hot Chili Peppers), engineer/mixer Vance Powell (Jack White, Elle King), producer Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Tom Waits), producer/engineer Dave Cobb (Shooter Jennings, Oak Ridge Boys, Sturgill Simpson) and engineer/mixer Justin Niebank (Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts)
• SHOT CALLERS: Industry Titans, with entertainment attorney John Mason (counsel for Reba McEntire and others), Tony Brown (legendary producer and former chair of MCA Nashville), and John McBride (Owner of Blackbird Studio and The Blackbird Academy)
• MEET THE MAKER: Breakthrough Product Developers – a series of conversations with manufacturer reps throughout the day, led by Pensado’s Place co-hosts Dave Pensado and Herb Trawick
