Yamaha Corporation of America

Chick Corea loved being a music maker! Nominated over 60 times for a Grammy, Chick was among the most high profile musicians we have been blessed to interview for the NAMM Oral History program, and yet he was also one of the most down to earth men we have ever met. Around the time of his two NAMM...
Jerry Andreas has ben leading the Pro Audio/Video division at SKB for more than 10 years. Before that, Jerry spent a large part of his life working as the Director of Marketing for the Pro Audio and Combo Division of the Yamaha Corporation of America. Jerry also holds a degree in Music Business...
Ken Dattmore is the Marketing Manager for Yamaha within the strings department, which has been his passion for his entire career.  He started in the industry with the William Lewis & Son Company, which brought violins into the hands of thousands of young music students around the world.  Ken...
Phil Moon was serving as Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Lynx Studio Technology at the time of his NAMM Oral History interview. At the time he discussed his overwhelming success after taking advice from a friend to spend more money on advertisements. After heeding this advice, an early TV...
Vince Wilburn, Jr., was born in Chicago and began playing the drums on pots and pans as early as five years old.   His uncle, Miles Davis, encouraged young Vince to listen to the great drummers, many of whom played with Miles over the years.  Vince recalls with a smile the day he sat in with Miles...
George Pajon Jr. is a founding member of the Black Eyed Peas and the musical producer and director for Fergie, Carlos Santana and Los Lonely, among others.  His music career began as a guitarist and over the years he has been active within the music products industry.  Among the companies he has...
David Jewell remembers his brother’s snare drum sitting in the closet and wanting so much to play it.  He begged his teacher, Mrs. Mandy, to join the band and after several tries, she agreed.  David remarked during his NAMM Oral History interview that if she didn’t say yes, he probably would not be...
Alan Macpherson began his career working for the retailer, The Music Shoppe II in Toronto Canada.  As a musician, Alan fell in love with the music industry, getting to talk gear with fellow players and working to provide the services they needed to obtain the instruments of their dreams.  When Alan...
Ken Dapron grew up in a very musical family.  His parents were members of the pop singing group called The Merry Macs.  Music was all around him as a child.  Ken played saxophone and drums in school and fell in love with the guitar.  He played in many bands throughout his school years with dreams...
Mike Overlin always wanted to work for Yamaha ever since being introduced to the company’s philosophy and commitment to providing excellent products and services.  As an employee for over twenty years, Mike is proud to say he was right about wanting to be involved with a company that echoes many of...

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