For Detroit-based country artist David Shelby the concept of being in the right place at the right time couldn’t have been more apropos; especially as it applied to two recently acquired endorsement deals. This past summer the Highway South recording artist was appearing at the annual NAMM show in Nashville, a large convention where instrument and gear manaufacturers show off their latest wares. This became the birthplace of his professional association with both Phaeton Trumpets and Telefunken Microphones.

“I have a degree in jazz and contemporary media from Wayne State University,” explains Shelby. “Trumpet was my first instrument and the last sideman gig I had was playing with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. I always wanted to incorporate trumpet into my live country show, but I didn’t want it to be like a ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic kinda thing. I wanted it to make sense and work. Phaeton was at the show and I started talking to Pete from the company about what I was trying to do.”

“Go to trade shows and introduce yourself. Try to get a performance at a NAMM event.”

Shelby set up a Nashville showcase with some of his friends from Bob Seger’s horn section. They arranged a brass line on one of his original songs, and when Phaeton heard that they were immediately sold.

READ MORE: http://www.musicconnection.com/how-shelby-got-endorsed/