Oral History - all
David Angress has spent his career in the technology and specialty products markets, holding several senior executive positions in retail, manufacturing and installation segments at companies including Guitar Center, Harman, and Sound Genesis. Angress was an essential member of the core group of... more
Birth Date: January 6, 1937
Deceased Date: August 29, 2022
Bill Larson served as a band director for over 35 years in Montana. When he needed the support from a music store to service his bands, he called on Eckroth Music in Bismarck, ND. Bill was so impressed by the help he received that he visited the store and got to know owners, Bill and Mary Ann... more
Larry Miletich along with his father and brother began playing music together as a group when they moved to Kalispell, Montana. As they continued to play gigs in and around town, they kept seeing a need for a store that provided lessons and repairs. In 1981, the three decided they would open a... more
George Miletich Jr. and his brother run Music One Workshop in Kalispell, Montana. As they continued to play gigs in and around town, they also provided repairs for their bandmates as well as lessons for members of their audiences over the years. The store, which originally included their father,... more
Sherry Linnerooth took music lessons from Bill Eckroth, who would later open a music store in Mandan, North Dakoda. When she later taught music in Bozeman, Montana, she called on Bill to supply her with accessories and music books. Those orders increased so much that she could no longer work out... more
Birth Date: December 31, 1920
Deceased Date: October 25, 2020
John Kuziel was a long time factory worker for the Gibson Guitar Company when it was located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He worked as a final inspector for the guitar line and later was in the spray room. He returned to the final inspection department where he gained a great reputation within the... more
Mike Korpak enjoyed his work in the factory at Gibson Guitars beginning back in the 1960s in Kalamazoo, Michigan. During his career at Gibson, Mike was able to grow into management and ran the parts department for years before his retirement. In fact, Mike was the last employee of Gibson in the... more
Stan Kolb is the president of Taylor Music in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He joined the company in the early 1970s and has since helped develop the various elements of the business over time. Their repair shop and wholesale business covers most of the United States while their retail shop focuses on... more
Richard Keldsen is the president of Saga Music in San Francisco, California. His first musical inspiration was hearing Earl Scruggs playing Bluegrass banjo for the first time. After two years in the Peace Corps, Richard had the opportunity to open a music store called the Fifth String in San... more
Lucien Hut dedicated his entire career to teaching, selling, restoring and designing the piano! As a retailer he established Pianos International in Colorado. He later moved to Montana where he taught at the university for several years. His interest and involvement in music began when he... more
Birth Date: October 18, 1918
Deceased Date: June 22, 2013
Donald Hustad was an editor and arranger for the Hope Music Publishing Company for over fifty years before his retirement. His contributions to printed church music include 120 octavos, vocal and keyboard volumes. His editorial publications include fourteen song books and hymnals, as well as... more
Birth Date: August 11, 1931
Deceased Date: November 8, 2019
Mary Lou Hoogenboom was a factory worker for the Gibson Guitar Company when it was located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was hired in 1951 and began working in the sanding department, but found that she worked in every department before she retired in 1985. Her retirement occurred the same year the... more
Hubert Friar was hired by the Gibson Guitar Company in Kalamazoo in 1959. Hubert worked for the company over 25 years. He worked at the end of the line, doing fret work. Hubert grew up playing guitar and knew Ren Wall and his father as a kid. When he was older he was recommended by Ren's father... more
Joe Lindner has a real passion for playing and teaching music. He gives lessons, mostly on drums and guitar, in his parents’ music store, Lindner Music in Watertown, South Dakota. Joe is also the instrument repair technician for the store, having gone to school for his training. The repairs he... more
Bill Robinson began working in the music industry when he was in his 20s. His high school friend opened a music store after graduation and hired Bill to work for the store where he later became a partner. When the store closed some years later, Bill became an independent rep for several music... more
Shelly Morris was a school music teacher before she decided to open a music store. She always loved the small town feeling of Sheridan, Wyoming, and she was able to find a nice space right on the Main Street. Having had experience with school programs, Shelly began to develop strong relations... more
Rod Lindner and his wife Sally truly own and operate a mom and pop music store. They have no employees, so when they are sick or out of town, the store is closed. Lindner Music is located in the small farming community of Watertown, South Dakota. They do little advertising because the people who... more
Ralph Goldheim worked in music retail before jumping the counter and exploring a career in manufacturing. He worked with George Luther for several years before joining Oberheim Electronics, Roland and Alesis. Then he was on the ground floor of a new and exciting company that would be called Line 6... more
Birth Date: October 25, 1932
Deceased Date: November 20, 2019
Stu Goldberg established Marina Music in San Francisco at the beginning of the guitar boom. The folk music craze was in full swing and the Beatles just hit the USA and within a few months Stu opened his own music store. His small store had a very big impact on the music industry and soon became a... more
Katie Wheeler was an early volunteer of the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music in the NAMM headquarters in Carlsbad, California. Her docent experience with the museum gave Katie the opportunity to work across the lobby in the NAMM Resource Center. Her personal interest in documentation and... more