Oral History - all
Verdine White has become a close friend to the NAMM family thanks to his dedication to music education and music advocacy programs around the world. He has supported the efforts to keep music in public schools and has performed countless events to raise money for such causes. As the bassist for... more
Jimmy Vivino wanted to be a blues guitarist when he first heard “Foxy Lady” by Jimi Hendrix! He has since been a successful musician both on stage and in the studios. He and his brother played the Crown Lounge in New Jersey (Jimmy on B-3) and backed up all the groups that came to club, such as the... more
Allan Small played music as a young student and earned his degree in music education, then became a band director for almost a decade. As a band director in Pennsylvania he was involved with a program created by the Selmer Company called Bands for America. The training for this program was a... more
Sivamani has become the lead drummer and percussionist for India’s renowned film composer, AR Rahman, and as a result has gained a following among young musicians. Sivamani provides his strong feelings towards the power of music and the importance of practicing to all those who seek advice from... more
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... more
William Scarlett has dedicated his career to band instrument repair and the history of the many instrument makers in and around the mid-west. He studied the York Band Instrument Company and the many well-known products the company produced over the decades. Music is in his blood. His grandfather... more
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... more
Leo Saleh was the very first person from Indonesia to be included in the NAMM Oral History program, which was an honor for us! His father enjoyed playing piano and Leo recalls music all around him as he grew up. Leo’s sister began teaching piano and had more than 80 students when their father... more
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... more
Tim Page was 16 years old when his brother, Bob, opened a small store in Pasadena, California called The Guitar Shop. Bob asked Tim to cover the store one day as he needed to run to the bank. When he returned Tim had sold a guitar and from that moment on, Tim was hooked on selling and Bob was... more
Bob Page opened a small store in Pasadena, California, in 1971 called The Guitar Shop. Nearly from the beginning, his brother Tim was involved. By the time Bob moved the store to Leucadia, it focused on Acoustic Instruments under the name "Traditional Music." Quickly the reputation grew, and Tim... more
Dale Olson attended the University of North Texas back in the 1950s when the music program and the trumpet degree, which he earned, was just developing. Dale is proud of the programs at the university as well as the classmates there who became lifelong friends. Dale worked for FE Olds and has... more
John Clauder played drums and percussion in the LA recording studios in the 1950s, 60s and 70s and can be heard on many hits, such as those produced by Phil Spector. John played in front of and behind the camera on dozens of TV shows and movies during his career, which he enjoyed very much. Deeply... more
Gary Asher was working at Nuncie’s Music in Birmingham, Alabama when he provided a tour and interview for the NAMM Oral History program, just three years after the program began. Gary worked in the store as its General Manager for 25 years, all the while teaching drums and percussion and buying and... more
Ethan Neuburg began arranging for bands while in college but did not originally land a job in publishing. He was working as an office worker for Warner Communication, when he was given the opportunity to work within the company’s arranging division, Warner Bros. Publications, Inc. Over the years... more
Erik Zobler was passionate about sound and music from an early age and seemed destined to carve out a career surrounded by other passionate music makers. As a studio engineer and producer, Erik’s long list of credits includes assisting Bruce Swedien on Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall album, as... more
Lynda Garcia is first and foremost a music teacher, which was not only her background but her life’s passion. As she taught, Lynda developed methods and materials that assisted individuals as well as groups learn and develop as musicians. Teaming with other educators, notably Brenda Dillon, she... more
Roger Glenn recalls with a smile the years he attended the NAMM Show as a product endorser, showcasing the FRAP. As a second generation jazz musician (his father was Tyree Glenn who played with Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington) Roger gained a noted reputation for being able to play several... more
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... more
Bryan McCann is the president of Instrumental Music stores, with three locations in 2014 in and around Ventura, California. Bryan’s career began when he teamed with a friend to purchase used instruments and to fix them to re-sell. As a result his skills as a repairman grew as did his customer... more