Oral History - all
Wayne Reinhardt began his musical retail career in 1971, with the same company he was working for at the time of his 2013 interview, Schmitt Music in Minnesota. Wayne is proud of the opportunity he had in working with Bob Schmitt in the early part of his career as Bob was focused on expanding the... more
Zuzana Petrofova is the fifth generation in her family to operate the Petrof Piano Company, located in the Czech Republic. Her great- great grandfather formed the piano company in 1864 and since that time the Petrof name has been connected in many innovations and style designs that were firsts... more
Quincy Yu is a Senior Vice President for Tycoon Music, which his father, Stephen, established in 1984. Quincy has played a vital part in the growth of the markets around the world with a focus on areas with little explorer to world hand percussive instruments such as the conga. He has also helped... more
Jan Petrof is the fourth generation in his family to operate the Petrof Piano Company, located in the Czech Republic. Jan’s great grandfather formed the piano company in 1864 and since that time the Petrof name has been connected in many innovations and style designs that were firsts within the... more
Charlie Ollmann is the co-founder (with his wife) of the retail shop Music Connection in Minnesota. They both taught music and had an opportunity to open their own store, with lesson rooms, and they jumped at the chance. Music Connection was born in 1981. The company is located in Forest Lake,... more
Martin Kobza is an instrument designer for the Petrof Piano Company, located in the Czech Republic. His unique skills as a piano designer and his knowledge of the strong company history, provides a great background for him to call on when he is working on new products and new innovations. The... more
Jerry Hovey grew up in a musical home as his father was a professional drummer. Jerry’s own love for music began at an early age but it wasn’t until he saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964 that Jerry wanted to be in a rock band. And he has been in such a band ever since. He... more
Birth Date: July 17, 1952
Deceased Date: November 29, 2014
Jerry Grote grew up in Minnesota and began playing guitar after seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964. As a high school student, Jerry began visiting local music stores and discovered music retail. One of the stores he visited was called The Guitar Center, not related to the... more
Cassie Brueckner is the president of Pete’s Music store and the daughter of the founder. She grew up in the Anaheim, California store, where she learned to repair musical instruments and developed her skills as the store manager to take charge when Pete had a professional gig. As a brass player,... more
Jim Ransom is the Chairman of the Board for United Wire Technology, which is located in Cleveland, New York. The company was established in 1938, during the Great Depression. United gained early success for creating kitchen scrubbing products, but soon ventured into several other industries... more
Don Ransom is the Vice President of United Wire Technology, located in upstate New York. While the company was formed in 1938, it wasn’t until Don and his father, Jim; decided to expand their product line did the company become involved with musical instrument companies for customers. Their... more
AR Rahman can be thought of as the Quincy Jones of Indian Music! His love and passion for music began when he was exposed to electronic keyboards thanks to his father. He was proud to be among the first in India to purchase many early synthesizers including the Yamaha DX-7. As he grew as an... more
Qian Ni is a classically trained flutist and the President of the Eastman Music Company, making him one of the passionate music makers within our industry! His devotion to customer service and his goals to provide the highest quality products possible have become renowned elements of the Eastman... more
Birth Date: March 7, 1951
Deceased Date: September 29, 2020
Rocco Prestia grew up in Northern California where he began playing guitar as a teenager before joining the group Tower of Power just after the famous band was formed. It was during these early days when Rocco switched from guitar to bass, which provided a special groove as he mastered what many... more
Scott Peterson is the President of Peterson Electro-Musical Products, which his father, Richard, established in the pursuit of his passion for audio electronics and pipe organs. Among Richard’s many innovations was the Peterson Tuner in 1952 (beginning with Model 70), the world’s first transistor... more
George Lynch has become a regular attraction of the annual NAMM Show in Anaheim. George has been endorsing musical products most of his celebrated musical career and as a result is asked to appear in a booth, sign autographs and provide demos of his gear. George is a well-known hard rock... more
Vic Lillo Sr. and his wife Doreen started business in 1963, opening Lillo’s School Of Modern Music Ltd, a music school and retail music store in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Lillo’s Music has become an established and unique landmark known for its professional music instruction, customer service and... more
Victor Lillo Jr. grew up in the music industry attending his first NAMM when he was 12 years old at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA. Vic reflects on his exposure to music and how a good attitude is a key to success. He founded the Johnny Guitar Corporation in Hollywood, CA. (est. 1988) and... more
Les Lillo grew up in the music industry; his parents founded Lillo's Music in 1963. Les recalls growing up and working in the family business, playing drums in the family band and performing in and around his hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He recollects aspects of the music industry in... more
Karl Leong participated in the International Coalition during the NAMM Show beginning in 2012 to discuss collaborative efforts in creating more active music makers. As CEO of KHS, Karl has been active in these and other music education efforts both in Taiwan and around the world. As CEO, Karl has... more