THE JOHN LENNON EDUCATIONAL TOUR BUS KICKS OFF 2018 SEASON AT THE NAMM SHOW 2018

THE JOHN LENNON EDUCATIONAL TOUR BUS KICKS OFF 2018 SEASON
AT THE NAMM SHOW

Launch events include the annual Imagine Party with the NAMM Foundation hosted by

Bootsy Collins with a performance by multi-platinum artist, Andy Grammer

NEW YORK--(January 22, 2018)—The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus (The Lennon Bus), the premier non-profit 501(c)(3) state-of-the-art mobile production facility that provides hands-on experiences for students of all ages, presented by Other World Computing (OWC), makes its return to The 2018 NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center with special guests Bootsy Collins, legendary bass player, and Andy Grammer, multi-platinum recording artist. Kicking off at NAMM, and chock full of new gear and equipment, the Lennon Bus will stop in cities across America throughout the year including Sacramento, Texas, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Miami and many more.

“Kicking off the tour at NAMM has become somewhat of a staple in the Lennon Bus legacy. We feel more connected to the crowd each year, and the energy at NAMM gives us the motivation and drive needed to get on the road to inspire young people across the U.S.,” said Co-Founder and Executive Director Brian Rothschild. “With the involvement of OWC, Bootsy Collins and Andy Grammer, this NAMM Show will be one to remember.”

Throughout The 2018 NAMM Show, the Lennon Bus will be parked on the central Grand Plaza in front of the Anaheim Convention Center. The Lennon Bus will offer trade show attendees interactive tours and will showcase the updated display of state-of-the-art equipment and gear, advanced recording technology, and innovative capabilities with products provided by OWC – the official presenting sponsor of the 2018 Lennon Bus Tour.

Highlights include:

·       Saturday, January 27 from 6:00 -7:30 p.m., Collins will host the annual John Lennon Educational Tour Bus Imagine Party featuring a performance from Grammer. In addition to hosting, Collins will take the stage with local Anaheim students to perform “Together We Can," a song he first recorded on the Lennon Bus in New York City.

·       Saturday January 27 at 11 a.m., Collins will host the Funk Off. at OWC Booth 11802. Open to anyone, Collins will judge contestant’s bass skills. The top five finalists will take home OWC gear and move on to the finals, which will take place live on stage at the Imagine Party. The winner, picked by Collins, will win his signed Yamaha bass guitar and an OWC package. 

·       Thursday, January 25 – Sunday, January 28, attendees will be able to win free, limited-edition OWC / Lennon Bus T-shirts with an onsite game at OWC Booth 11802.

This year, the Lennon Bus will be premiering many new features. The Lennon Bus studios and the demo tent will be powered by the new Apple iMac Pro with additional 5K displays providing an expansive monitoring system for editing ultra-high definition video and photography. OWC’s innovative products provide the bus with fast, dependable and silent storage solutions.

Musicians onboard the Lennon Bus will now get to pair Yamaha electric guitars with Yamaha guitar amps including the THR10C combo and the THR100H dual head with the THRC212 cabinet. The Yamaha MX61BU will be the new featured synth keyboard in the demo tent and all support products are now provided by K&M Stands..

A new feature in the Lennon Bus demo tent is the Creator’s Station. In this space, visitors can participate in an interactive experience using an Apple iPad Pro, Audio-Technica’s iOS-compatible AT2020USBi microphone and ATH-M50x headphones. During select events throughout the year, visitors can participate in a project entitled “What does peace mean to you?” by recording their unique answer in the Creator’s Station. The audio, photos and b-roll captured for this activation, from students of all ages across the country, will lay the foundation for an original short film.

LENNON BUS AT NAMM SCHEDULE

Lennon Bus Interactive Tours

Wednesday, January 24 – 10:00AM – 6:00PM

Thursday, January 25 – 10:00AM – 6:00PM

Friday, January 26 – 10:00AM – 6:00PM

Saturday, January 27 – 10:00AM – 3:00PM

Sunday, January 28 - 10:00AM – 5:00PM

Wednesday, January 24

2:00PM - 4:00PM - NAMM FOUNDATION PANEL w/ Lennon Bus - Hilton, Lower Level, Catalina 7 

Table 1 - Working with Schools to Advance Music Education

Thursday, January 25

12:00PM - Olivia Millerschin (John Lennon Songwriting Contest NAMM Show Winner) performs on stage in Grand Plaza

2:00PM - Giveaways at Lennon Bus

Friday, January 26

2:00PM - Giveaways at Lennon Bus

Sunday, January 27

11:00AM - FUNK OFF w/ Bootsy Collins at OWC Booth 11802

12:00PM - Common Souls (John Lennon Songwriting Contest Song of the Year Winner) performs on stage in Grand Plaza

2:00PM - Giveaways at Lennon Bus

5:00PM - Press/VIP Badge Pickup at Lennon Tent

6:00PM - 7:30PM - Imagine Party

Speeches

Bootsy Collins performs with Anaheim Students "Together We Can"

Funk Off finals - Winner takes home Bootsy's Yamaha Bass & OWC Package

Andy Grammer performs

ABOUT THE JOHN LENNON EDUCATIONAL TOUR BUS
The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus presented by Other World Computing (OWC) is a non-profit state-of-the-art mobile Pro Audio and HD video recording facility that provides hands-on experiences for students of all ages. In its 21st year of touring, the Lennon Bus features the latest audio and video technology, gear and products. The concept began as an offshoot of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, dedicated to providing opportunities for both professional and amateur songwriters around the world; proceeds from which help support the Lennon Bus. The Lennon Bus travels across the U.S. and Canada year-round, providing free tours and workshops at schools, retailers, festivals, on tours with headlining artists, and at major industry conferences. Lennon Bus Europe began providing these same opportunities to the young people of Europe when it launched in Liverpool, UK in May 2013.    

The Lennon Bus is made possible by Yoko Ono Lennon and the following sponsors and contributors: Apple, Inc., Other World Computing, Canon U.S.A., Inc., Nearpod, Juniper Networks, Yamaha, Securematics, Neutrik, The NAMM Foundation, Ruckus Wireless, Avid, Audio-Technica, Genelec, K&M Stands, Sonnet Technologies, Focusrite, SSL, NewTek, Reflecmedia, Viprinet, Baker & McKenzie, Litepanels, Clear-Com, Anton/Bauer, AJA, Copperpeace, Applied Acoustics Systems, Mobile Roadie, McDSP, Native Instruments, IK Multimedia, Noise Industries, iZotope, Mad Mimi, Ableton, Mackie, Guitar Player, Bass Player, Electronic Musician, Keyboard Magazine, SKB, and LiveU.

ABOUT OTHER WORLD COMPUTING

Having served the Apple community worldwide since 1988, OWC has become the reliable manufacturer and upgrade provider of choice for Apple and PC enthusiasts with its extensive catalog of accessories, storage, and memory upgrades for nearly every Mac made in the last decade. Recognized for award-winning customer service, OWC provides extensive U.S.-based technical support for Mac and PC users around the world and comprehensive step-by-step installation and support videos.

ABOUT THE NAMM FOUNDATION

The NAMM Foundation is a non-profit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 10,300 members around the world. The NAMM Foundation works to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit http://www.nammfoundation.org, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.