ARTIST APPROVED
The Nexora team.
T he Women’s International Music Network (WiMN) has an- nounced Carnie Wilson has been added as an honoree for the 14th annual She Rocks Awards, taking place Jan. 23 at the Anaheim Hilton during The 2026 NAMM Show. Carnie Wilson to Be Honored at 2026 She Rocks Awards “This is an exciting milestone for our business,” said Clive Fitzharris, Nexora CEO. “Nexora reflects who we are today and where we are going, a community of specialist businesses built on deep expertise and strong partnerships. It is an identity and direction which captures our energy, our ambition and our belief in the power of technology to enrich lives. I am proud of the inclusive process that brought us here and grateful to our teams who helped shape this next chapter.” {nexora.com} JAM Parent Company Rebrands as Nexora D CC Technology, parent company of JAM, The Music People, Erikson and more, has announced its rebrand to Nexora, unveiling a new identity and direction which reflects the group’s evolution into a unified and purpose-led community of specialist businesses. The rebrand brings together 27 specialist businesses under one shared vision to deliver progressive technology that enriches lives. The rebrand began in March 2025 when col- leagues across the group were invited to propose names for the new identity. More than 400 ideas were submitted.
Singer-songwriter A.J. Croce reflects on a lifetime of mu- sical exploration, tracing his journey from his first piano to building an arsenal of instruments, including vintage guitars like his 1955 Gibson SJ and 1967 Gibson ES330. A.J. CROCE, SINGER-SONGWRITER Music Inc.: What was your first instrument? A.J. CROCE: I started playing piano on an upright Wurlitzer that had been in my house as long as I could remember. As I became more dedicated to music I acquired many other electric pianos and organs, which were all lost in a house fire when I was 15. The first instrument I bought was a 1963 Steinway M Grand Piano. MI: What is your all time favorite instrument? AC: My 1963 Steinway M. I found my sound through that instrument. It informed me of what was possible melodically, harmonically, rhythmically, as well as the great dynamic possibilities that existed. MI: What instruments are currently in your arsenal? Are there any that are your go-to choices for recording or performing live? AC: I tour with a Yamaha N2 piano, a Vintage Vibe electric piano, a 1955 Gibson SJ, a 1966 Martin D-18, a 1967 Gibson ES330, a 1957 Gibson Goldtop Les Paul (Murphy Lab), a 1968 Fender Deluxe Reverb and a reissue of a 1957 Fender Tweed Champ. I’ve used all of these instruments (except the Yamaha which I recently acquired) on many of my albums. The ES330 was my first electric guitar, and while I didn’t start playing guitar until I was in my 30s, it has been on all of my albums since 2003. MI: Are there any new or emerging pieces of gear you’ve recently tried that have caught your eye or inspired your creative process? AC: The new Yamaha N2 has been a game changer for live per- formance. I also travel with a Micro Mellotron, which has a lot of great uses. My Vintage Vibe electric piano has also been an amazing addition to the variety of tones that I can use in my show. — By Kimberly Kapela
A five-time Grammy-nominated art- ist and member of group Wilson Phil- lips, Wilson has defined a multi-faceted career spanning nearly four decades. The daughter of Brian Wilson, found- ing member of The Beach Boys, Carnie has carried forward a powerful musical legacy while forging her own path as a singer, songwriter, television host, au- thor, actress and mental health advocate.
Carnie Wilson
In addition to her chart-topping work with Wilson Phillips, Wilson has hosted talk shows, game shows and cooking programs, including winning Food Network’s “Chopped,” and earned an Emmy nomi- nation for hosting The Newlywed Game. Other She Rocks 2026 honorees include singer-songwriter Rachel Platten, guitarist Sophie Burrell, Full Compass Systems’ Susan Lipp, Yamaha’s Lisa MacDonald and more. {sherocksawards.com}
18 I MUSIC INC. I JANUARY 2026
Powered by FlippingBook