Full Interview

Poncho Sanchez has the heart and soul of his Latin music roots and the love and feel for funk. The result of these passions is the unique style that has helped establish him as a talented and innovative conga player and songwriter. During the interview he recalled how his love of music developed...
Don Talbot recalls working with his father at Coast Wholesalers when he was school age, sweeping up and working in the warehouse. Don’s father was one of the three owners and years later, after college, Don returned to become sales manager. When the company was bought out by Kaman, Don continued...
 David Abell formed his piano retail store in Beverly Hills back in the late 1950s.  Since that time he has established one of the finest reputations in our industry.  Noted musicians, industry leaders and movie stars alike have boasted of his quality of service and the fact that most of his deals...
Snooky Young was given his first trumpet from the local junk man who saw he had an interest in music, but whose family could not afford the expense. The gift served him well as young Snooky went on to record with the famous 1939 Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra, Count Basie, Gerald Wilson and Lionel...
Johnny Smith! What can you say about meeting not only your personal hero but also a hero to thousands in our own industry! Johnny Smith was in person what he has been on recordings, warm, engaging and inspirational. Over the years Johnny has been linked to many innovative musical products, most...
Gershon Kingsley composed several hit recordings using the Moog synthesizer in the very early days of electronic music. His mega hit “Popcorn” in 1969 led to a series of pioneering electronic recordings by Gershon, including “God is a Moog” and “Belly Buttons,” which featured a Fairlight...
Alex Carozza has designed his own reed system for the accordion. The idea came to Alex after years of performing on the instruments and repairing them in his shop, Alex Music, on 48th St. in New York. He opened the shop in the early 1970s after working across the street at Sam Ash. If you ever...
Harry Osiecki’s father started a music store out of his parent’s home. In 1933, he opened up his first store, which had a living unit upstairs for his family. Although he tragically died at a young age, his wife ran the business until her sons Jerry and Harry returned from war and took over. In...
Jerry Osiecki’s grew up in the music industry. His father started Osiecki’s Music store out of his parent’s home in the middle of the Depression. When he was little his father passed away but his mother kept the store open until Jerry and his brother Harry returned from service during the Korean...
 Mr. Menchey founded the Menchey Music Service in 1936 out of his mother’s sewing room in Hanover. By the time he retired in 1982, Menchey’s Music grew into the premier full-service school music and piano dealer serving Central Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland. He pioneered expansive sheet music...

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