From left: NAMM CEO John Mlynczak, NAMM Chair Chris White, NAMM Treasurer Whitney Brown Grisaffi and NAMM Vice Chair Joe Castronovo.
The 2025 NAMM Fly-In delegates on the Captiol steps.
NAMM TAKES D.C. T he 19th annual NAMM Fly-In took place in Washington, D.C. from May 5–8. Undeterred by the current political climate, more than 90 NAMM members, music-business leaders and partners rep- resenting all 50 states traveled to D.C. to lobby their representatives. This was argu- ably the most consequential Fly-In since the Elementary and Secondary School Act (ESSA) was signed into law in 2015. The result: The large majority of delegates said their nearly 200 meetings with representa- tives and congressional staff across party lines were positive. and monumental work leading up to this [recent Fly-In] in D.C. allowed the nation’s top music industry leaders to harmonize the perfect blend of passion and inspiration to help influence our elected officials.” Day and Traietta said they asked one student, Angelo Taylor, why he sings in the choir. He told them he used to play violin, but him and his mom were evicted from their home and lost their possessions, including his violin. Now he sings, he said, because no one can take his voice from him. Traietta and Day were so touched by Taylor’s story they decided to help. Day called her husband, Day Violin co-owner Jason Day, and by Thursday afternoon, a new violin outfit was delivered to Eastern High School for Taylor. A first-hand account of this year’s NAMM Fly-In from Music Inc.’s veteran Fly-In reporter. — By Myrna Sislen
The Fly-In officially began on May 5, with the annual Day of Service. This year, more than 40 NAMM delegates headed to D.C.’s Eastern High School to listen to the school’s band and chorus perform a mini concert. After the performance, students and professionals gathered in the school atrium, where NAMM members were able to mentor students one-on-one. Students and music industry professionals sat at round tables where they were able to interact and ask questions. Every 10 minutes, delegates would move to a different table, while stu- dents would remain at their own tables. Seated at one table was Jenna Day, owner of Day Violins in Chantilly, Virginia, and Diana Traietta, director of sales for Excel- cia Music Publishing, in Lakeland, Florida.
“We all give every day,” Day said. “[But during this Day of Service, we could] hear and respond in real-time.” PREPPING FOR CAPITOL HILL On May 6, NAMM delegates gathered at the offices of NAMM’s lobbying firm Nelson Mullins for the annual training day. During this day-long session, delegates heard from multiple advocacy leaders to better hone
“The overwhelming positive energy and abundance of ideas and discussions resonating from our industry leaders to our elected officials and respective staff members clearly demonstrated that making more music makers is critical to the future success of communities all over the nation,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. “Our association’s collective effort
14 I MUSIC INC. I JULY 2025
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