Years ago I worked for a small music store. I taught lessons, worked the sales floor, did minor repair, helped with piano moving and deliveries, and eventually built up the small guitar department. It was a fun job and I really enjoyed being a part of so many aspects of the music industry, may favorite part of the job was going to NAMM. We were a samll store so going to NAMM every year did not make sense for us, but we still went a few times, including a trip to the Anaheim show. What I loved about NAMM was seeing new gear before the general public. You always had the old standard guys, like Boss and Fender or Gibson debuting something new, but what I really looked for were the small start start-ups. The companies who did not have all the years of brand recognition behind them. Now don't get me wrong, the Fender booth was my first stop every year, but there is something exciting about discovering a product that could be the next big thing. Over the years I accumulated new sets of guitar strings, picks, Aluminum drum sticks(those things are BEASTS), and a cool light sensitive volume control that plugs directly into your guitar. Some of these products went on to make their mark,while others were not so fortunate. It was fun to see the inventive, entrepreneurial spirit alive and well at the NAMM show.

My last NAMM Show was 12 years ago, but have no fear I have found a new place where the creative and inventive entrepreneurial spirit are turned lose everyday, and that place is Kickstarter. I have spoken and written about Kickstarter many times before, but it was not until I sat down to interview Peter Holm, one of the co-creators of the Firefly pick, that I realized what it was that drew me to Kickstarter over and over. It was being able to see a new product before it was released to the general public. The Firefly pick is one of those products that I would have seen at NAMM, tried out, and then immediately ordered for the store while seeing if they had any available for purchase at the show so I could take one home. I have played a lot of picks, and have enjoyed them for different reasons, but never have I seen any that marry design, technology, functionality, and showmanship in one product, until now. The technology used to design and produce this pick is a miracle of modern electronics, the circuit and components are so tiny I cant even imagine trying to solder them together as Peter described in the interview. Take away the virtual impossibility of this design, and what do you have? A pick that set's you apart from the other players out there. A pick that could allow you and your band to take your light show to a whole new level! The light up aspect of this pick is super cool, but that's only one aspect. Since it is motion activated, I am imagining some young band getting several of these an writing a song or two based on specific light and color. It brings a whole new visual aspect to guitar playing. So if you are looking for something new, and you want to be on the cutting edge, I encourage you to check out the Firefly pick on Kickstarter. And while you are there, see what else catches your eye. You might just find yourself backing the next big thing in guitar.