Deceased
Jack Simpson worked for RCA for nearly 40 years beginning at the time when the electronics and recording company was a regular exhibitor at the NAMM Trade Shows. Jack also became a jazz broadcaster in Florida, where he took to the airwaves in 1967. His show and his reputation expanded over the...
Jane Stanton worked for the war effort during World War II, which was before she met Ken Stanton, who was a band director, wishing to open a music store. Jane played a vital role in the store over the years as she ran the business while Ken would travel and sat up front to ensure she greeted each...
Sue Jones had a warm way about her, which sets visitors at ease when they visited the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, CA. As a volunteer Sue was trained as a docent and has provided tours to all ages as well as serve as greeter at large museum events. She also played a vital...
Toni Perrine grew up in England where she was a touring actress in several musical productions. When she came to the United States she worked for Pedrini's Music in Southern California for four years in the sheet music department before retiring to Carlsbad. Her love of music soon found her...
Jerry Bongard has enjoyed playing music since he was a kid. Along the way he has become eloquent in his explanation of the benefits of music making and the passion music can add to your life. Jerry has taken part in the early development of the New Horizon's Band, which rehearses at the NAMM...
Sam Eisenman grew up in New York during the heyday of the Big Bands and BeBop. As an ardent music fan he saw many of the great Big Bands, including Benny Goodman's Orchestra in 1938 at Carnegie Hall! In retirement, Sam spent over 15 years teaching children to read in the Carlsbad School District...
Mari Mach spent nearly 40 years in the music industry in and around Elkhart, Indiana. She began her career in the sales department working for C. G. Conn for four years before being offered a job at the Gemeinhardt Flute Company. While at Gemeinhardt, she worked with Danny Henkin, who was then the...
George Douglas's grandfather opened a small music shop in Canada, which his father managed following his military service during World War II. The small store chugged along over the years and served as a training ground for George as a salesman. As a teen he often stood on the show floor selling to...
Andy Moseley was right next to his brother's side when they took a loan for $500 to start a guitar company they called Mosrite! The legendary guitar brand became a vital part of the boom in sales following the rise of rock and roll. A large part of the brand’s popularity was related to a special...
Chip Young was one of the best known recording session guitarists in Nashville. His thumb picking style can be heard on countless recordings and hundreds of hit records made in Nashville between the early 1960s into the 2000s. Chip's thumbing can be heard on Vern Gosdin's 1984 hit "I Can Tell by...