Composer/Songwriter
James Slater is a Grammy Award nominated songwriter based out of Nashville, TN. He attended the University of Miami School of Music and has written songs for countless Grammy Award winners such as Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, and Rena McEntire. Slater is a pianist, which is different for Nashville –...
Taj Mahal helped expand the scope of the blues by incorporating elements of world music and a style of guitar playing that was rooted firmly in the African traditions that helped form the musical genre. His goal was to play music that he felt inside him. If others appreciated it, then he saw that...
Arthur Lee Williams was only five years old when his uncle brought over a harmonica for him as a gift. Arthur took to the harmonica right away and made his career playing it and singing the blues. While recording with Sonny Boy Williamson, Arthur learned to create new sounds as Sonny Boy did and...
Big George Brock knew all about laying his burden down. The blues musician was running his nightclub in 1970 when someone shot up the place to try and hit George. One of the bullets went through the wall and killed George's wife in the next room. George always said you can't sing the blues if you...
John Sebastian has a rather impressive and intriguing connection with the music products industry and has for several decades. Did you know he worked in a guitar shop in Manhattan in the 1960s sanding tops? That was before he soared to the top of the charts with the rock band the Lovin' Spoonful....
Lloyd Price had no idea that his 1952 recording of "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" would become a cornerstone in the foundation of rock 'n' roll! Masterful piano playing by Fats Domino, perfectly timed drumming by Earl Palmer, as well as the musical arrangement by bandleader Dave Bartholomew helped launch his...
Pauline Oliveros pioneered composing music using electronic instruments. She recorded both with the Moog and Buchla synthesizers as well as the Expanded Instrument System, an electronic signal processing unit she designed. She was a founding member of the San Francisco Tape Music Center in the...
Jennifer Batten is often found at a NAMM booth checking out the gear or providing her feedback on products she has played over the years. Washburn Guitars released a signature model that she took part in designing, which she has proudly played on recordings and on tour. While working with Jeff...
Stevie Wonder has earned the title of the "Mayor of the NAMM Show" for his countless visits to the show floor over the years. He has become an important part of the music products industry not only in promoting new technologies, but in working with companies to design and improve instruments. ...
Weird Al Yankovic built his career upon creating parodies of hit songs, with a special focus on incorporating his beloved accordion. Al began recording his silly songs on tape and mailing them into the Dr. Demento radio program. Once his songs were gaining popularity, Al expanded his band and...