Guitars
Kenny Smith serves as the Managing Director of the Peavey Hollywood store on Sunset Boulevard. However, this is only part of what he does in the shop. Kenny is a born salesman and enjoys teaching others fresh and effective ways to sell musical products. He feels nothing is more important than...
Jorma Kaukonen played guitar in two classic rock bands of the 1960s and 70s, Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna! His passion for the blues helped create his style, which was in such demand by up and coming players that Jorma started a fantasy guitar camp to teach his style. The Fur Peace Ranch:...
Larry Fishman had an idea to create an electronic pick up for the upright string bass. The task was not an easy one. In fact, others had tried and failed to produce the correct balance of electronic tones within the range of the strings. However, Fishman was able to do just that. The success of the...
Harry Fleishman is the founder of Fleishman Instruments located in Northern California and has become among the most noted luthiers of his time. His passion for music developed in part by hanging out at his local music store, Fife & Nichols, beginning at the age of 12. As a result of being...
Robby Krieger is the guitarist and songwriter best known for being a founding member of the rock band, The Doors. The incredible influence the band had on generations of music makers and songwriters can never be overstated. Robby co-wrote several of the bands big hit recordings including “Light...
Alan Rosen sat down for his first interview for the NAMM Oral History program in January 2014. It was a special occasion as it was Alan’s 30th anniversary of his first show and his 30th winter show, as he has not missed one since first attending! Capturing this interview was also important for...
Dave Dunwoodie is the founder of Graph Tech Guitar Labs in Canada and has pioneered several products during his career in the music industry. With the popularity of tremolo guitars, the need for pencil lead in the nut slots was growing. Dave experimented with a variety of composite guitar nuts...
Masaru Sawano began playing guitar as a young student when he first heard the Beatles. He took a liking to music and the first job he took after college is the one he still has, working for Japan Music Trades. Although today he is president of the magazine and he started out as a part time...
Ernie Isley was born into a very musical family and grew up with his older brothers forming a group and singing gospel. When Ernie was 14 years old he played drums as a member of the famed Isley Brothers and by 1968 taught himself to play guitar. He arranged several of the groups cover songs and...
Ellis Seal was working for an aerospace company, working long hours and never having the time to spend with his family or his hobby of guitar building. In 1998 he opened his own company and said goodbye to his aerospace career to focus on his dream. Ellis took an interest in composite structures...