Oral History - all
Bobby Bare Sr. began writing songs as a teenager and landed a hit record with the talking blues song "All American Boy" in 1958 when Bobby was just 18 years old. He followed that recording with several other hits including "Detroit City" and "500 Miles Away from Home." During his NAMM interview,... more
Paul Decker found his passion for music while learning to play the drums as a child and growing up in his dad’s music store, which he eventually purchased from him. The current location was established in 1999 and one of Paul’s favorite aspects is all the old guitars that are on display which is a... more
Michael Spriggs is a session guitarist who got his start at the age of 14 when he joined “The Rogues”. In 1971 Michael moved to Nashville where he played with Eddie Rabbitt. With over 35 years as a session player, Michael has worked with the likes of Waylon Jennings, BB King, Elton John, and Dolly... more
Birth Date: March 18, 1934
Deceased Date: December 12, 2020
Charley Pride was born one of 11 children in Sledge, Mississippi. Although he enjoyed music as child and learned to pick out songs on guitar by ear, Charley had a desire to be a professional baseball player. Charley played for the Memphis Red Sox in the Negro American League and was shopped around... more
John Logan became hooked on the Folk music craze and picked up the banjo as a result of the inspiration he felt from the genre. While attending the University of Tennessee, he formed a folk trio that became rather popular on campus. That group went on to tour and perform with Fred Waring and the... more
Ernie Cefalu started his career in advertising and quickly found a niche as an artist, creative director, and graphic designer. He is the force behind much of the iconic album art, working on projects for Alice Cooper, The Rolling Stones, The Bee Gees, and Aerosmith. In his Oral History interview,... more
Chuck Perl and his childhood friend, Steven Bender, formed Ambico Incorporated in 1967 to supply music stores with a line of products and accessories. Their first big success came with guitar straps, in fact it was Ambico that supplied several guitar makers and wholesalers in the United State with... more
John Monteleone grew up on Long Island, New York - the perfect spot for absorbing the rich history of the arch-top guitar. He studied the instrument and became a well-respected and sought-after luthier. John has created several innovations in the design and processes of building an acoustic guitar... more
Bill Youse is proud of the fact that his grandfather, George, worked in the Steinway & Sons piano factory on Long Island as did his father before Bill joined the company in 1973. Bill's first job was actually the summer before when he would cut the grass. He was able to work alongside his... more
Wally Boot spent 52 years working in the Steinway & Sons piano factory on Long Island New York! As it turns out, Wally was born on Steinway Street, just down the road from the factory. All three of his brothers worked for Steinway and after Industrial Arts School, Wally joined them in 1962. He... more
Prenta Ljucovic immigrated to the United States from Yugoslavia in 1973. A friend from back home suggested that she seek a job with Steinway & Sons, especially given her pervious training with woodwork. Speaking no English, Prenta began working in the factory on Long Island assembling keyboard... more
Michael Mohr recalls Vladimir Horowitz coming to the house when he was a child, and he was just like a member of the family. The great maestro was a friend of Michael's father, who was trusted with Mr. Horowitz's prized Steinway piano. Michael grew up to work for Steinway & Sons, not only in... more
Adam Ash likes to joke that he never attended sleep away camp during the summers from school as his summer months were spent in the store, and he wouldn't have had it any other way! Adam's great-grandfather formed Sam Ash Music, with the help of his wife, Adam’s great grandmother. Since then, the... more
David Ash recalls the story where his grandmother hocked her wedding ring to help fund the family's store, Sam Ash Music. David's parents and brothers have followed in growing the business and expanding the one location into dozens more. After earning his law degree and practicing law for years,... more
Judd Goldrich and his brother worked alongside their father, Henry, in the store his grandfather Manny opened in New York City. Manny's became the hub of musical retailing and Judd grew up right in the middle of it! He loved the excitement of new products being introduced in the store and going... more
Steve Prisco has been active in music since he was 14 years old playing trumpet for the school band program. He studied graphic design and worked on the early computer desk top publishing programs for creating advertisements. In 1989, Steve began working for Sam Ash Music. He worked closely with... more
Derek Ash recalls that every family gathering always included talk of the music store. After all, Derek's great-grandfather was the founder of the family's business, Sam Ash Music. Thanksgiving was only complete with turkey, pumpkin pie, and talk of the upcoming holiday sales! Derek's first NAMM... more
Jeff Saltzman has been involved with the violin since being introduced to the Suzuki Method when he was a child. His grandfather and father both worked as wholesalers in musical instruments. His grandfather, Joseph, worked with Paul Sorkin to form Sorkin Music back in 1938. His father, Mark... more
Larry Nitka grew up listening to the big bands as his father was a sideman during the great Swing Era. His father, Artie Nitka, became a well-regarded authority on the recorder, writing method books that are still in print today. While writing and teaching, Larry's father started a music store near... more
Birth Date: January 14, 1932
Deceased Date: October 8, 2017
This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Grady Tate was a prolific jazz drummer who laid the beat for such performers as Ella Fitzgerald, Lionel Hampton, Quincy Jones, Count Basie, and Ray Charles. He gained a... more