Oral History - all
Larry LeBlanc was just 14 years old when he wrote a story about the local music scene for a Toronto newspaper. He was soon asked to write for a monthly magazine for teens called the Canadian High News. His growing knowledge of local clubs and bands gave Larry the opportunity to book bands, which he... more
Larry Dvoskin can trace his passion for music back to an early age when he was classically trained on the piano. He purchased a guitar while in high school to gain the attention of girls and soon joined a rock band. Later, Larry gravitated towards the emerging electronic keyboards and the Hammond... more
Rudy Perez was born in Cuba and arrived in Florida when he was eight years old. Soon after, he purchased his first guitar from Ace Music in Miami and formed a touring band. Along the way, Rudy began writing songs for both his band and for other artists, which led to his introduction into music... more
Michael Cotten was the original keyboardist for the band the Tubes, which took full advantage of the innovations in synthesizers of the 1970s and 80s. Michael experimented with electronic sounds and the latest keyboards within the early recordings of the band. After his time with the Tubes, Michael... more
Jake Connolly has fond memories of working with his father, who became his mentor in life and the music business. Together, father and son grew their string distribution company from a short list of products to a strong offering based on several product lines. The relationships they built years ago... more
Mary Jo Mennella is the president and founder of Music Asset Management, Inc. She studied trumpet in college and landed her first job in the industry working at ASCAP in New York, then Los Angeles. While with ASCAP, she worked on a number of projects including the first Pop Music Awards. Mary Jo... more
Birth Date: August 17, 1932
Deceased Date: October 15, 2020
Bud DiFluri enjoyed a long and successful career in the music industry in both retail and manufacturing. He managed the Yamaha band and orchestra department in New York City with a focus on sales and marketing, which he also focused on while working as the Senior Sales and Marketing Manager for New... more
Birth Date: July 28, 1932
Deceased Date: October 3, 2019
Vinnie Bell was a studio musician in New York who often was asked to create new and unique sounds. As a luthier, Vinnie built several innovative guitars including one tuned like a sitar. His efforts were recognized by the Danelectro Guitar Company who hired Vinnie to help design their electric... more
Camille Scheidemann is the current owner of Frank and Camille’s Piano Store on Long Island, New York. For her, it all started when Dennis Awe, the young, amazingly talented organist/store owner told Camille’s father he would teach her to play if they purchased the Lowrey Heritage organ. That... more
Brian Marsh joined his brother, Robert, on the ground floor of his DJ retailing business. The two brothers sought to grow the store and provide the best customer service possible. Their attention to details and interest in offering the most innovative products soon grew their reputation to the... more
Robert Marsh came into the music retail business following a frustration of purchasing equipment as a DJ. He was inspired by the role the DJ brings to a party, a nightclub, or family gathering but found there were areas to improve the business. He took a chance by asking his parents to refinance... more
Birth Date: January 12, 1912
Deceased Date: September 10, 1984
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Trummy Young was a noted jazz trombonist who performed and recorded with the likes of Jimmie Lunceford, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday. While playing with the Jimmie... more
Birth Date: June 23, 1911
Deceased Date: April 8, 1991
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Eddie Miller was asked to take a break from his road travels with the big bands to visit Elkhart, Indiana. The Selmer Band Instrument Company made the special request and... more
Birth Date: March 25, 1903
Deceased Date: March 7, 2001
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Frankie Carle fondly told the story that his parents could not afford a piano so young Frankie practiced on a fake keyboard his uncle made for him out of an orange crate... more
Cindalee Hall first attended a NAMM Show in the late 1960s and recalls being the only women she saw that day on the trade show floor. Since that time not only has her own career in the industry grown and developed, but the role of women has changed as well. As President of the Rickenbacker Guitar... more
Bob Harrison tells many stories of his father and aunt working in music retail when he was a child. His aunt, Mary L. Spence, owned a store with her name on it in Plainview, Texas. She was a pioneer in the music industry as well as in business. Bob's father, Nolan, ran her store when Aunt Mary died... more
Birth Date: October 15, 1942
Deceased Date: March 14, 2020
Jim Salzer opened his first store in 1966 with a focus on selling records. At the time Jim was a concert promoter in Southern California and really understood what teenagers and young adults were interested in hearing. His concerts involved acts such as The Doors, Led Zeppelin, and The Grateful... more
Danny McKinney is a fourth generation musician who grew up with a passion for music and a fascination with audio. As a kid, he recalls seeing Standel amplifiers and dreaming of owning one. He had no idea he would later own the company! Danny worked with Standel Founder, Bob Crooks, and in 1997 they... more
Tommy Roe wrote most of the hit songs for which he is best known, such as "Dizzy," "Sheila," "Everybody" and "Sweet Pea." Each were hit songs in the 1960s and were part of the early days of his career, which included a tour with the Beatles in 1963. Tommy later formed a music publishing company and... more
Ronny Cox is the actor who played the guitar in the famous Dueling Banjo scene during the 1972 movie Deliverance. That movie moment led to a big boom in banjo and acoustic guitar (and canoe) sales around the world. It was also Ronny's first film role. Throughout his acting career he almost always... more