Oral History - all
Birth Date: September 6, 1935
Deceased Date: December 6, 2021
Doug LaLonde was a professional musician before being drafted to serve in the US Army during the Korean War. He played percussion in the army and while stationed in San Francisco began his long and successful career with the Sherman Clay retail chain. Doug began in the MI department but soon... more
Birth Date: March 22, 1942
Deceased Date: May 12, 2016
Orrin Foslien grew up around music. He started out playing the ukulele, then moved to the banjo and guitar. In high school he began singing in the choir and playing the trombone. Around 1962, he traveled to San Francisco hoping to play music, but ultimately ended up working in manufacturing. After... more
Jim Gamble envisioned a console that would give an engineer ultimate control of the audio being mixed. He started by working for one of the original sound reinforcement companies and helped write the book on the touring industry. The experiences that he had working with some of the most revered ... more
Birth Date: September 16, 1948
Deceased Date: August 31, 2020
Michael Paul, known as MP, always had an interest in the visual arts, especially those that could involve multiple formats. When he had the chance to create light and color programs for live musical acts in the 1960s, MP found his true passion! He worked on countless shows including those for the... more
This vignette highlighting the Krell Piano Company is representative of the many “gems” of history from the Music Products Industry throughout the collections gathered in the NAMM Library and Resource Center. Krell, like many other companies and families comprising the Music Products Industry,... more
One of the most archaic yet essential instruments in the music and percussion industry is the cymbal. With its origins dating back as far as 3,000 B.C., the cymbal has been used in various settings including rituals, celebrations, worship, military purposes, and enjoyment. After alchemist and... more
For many musicians, obtaining an instrument for the very first time is a special experience unlike any other. Strumming your first guitar or beating your first drum can spark an extraordinary musical adventure. The musicians we have interviewed through the NAMM Oral History Program have told some... more
Ruth Zeiner has been an active and passionate member of the piano technicians industry! Her guidance and advice has helped encourage and foster the careers of members of the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG) for years. As president of Allied Piano LakeOne USA, Ruth has offered tools and support to... more
Bob Wray remembers the day he was sitting in the Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama when Clarence Carter outlined the next song he was ready to cut. Bob was to play guitar on the song, which was “Patches.” The song was the biggest in Mr. Carter’s career and Bob knew then and there that... more
Mac Wilson grew up in a musical home as both of his parents were singers. In middle school he learned the guitar and even earned a little money playing around town. Mac continued to play throughout high school and college. In 1974, Mac met Danny Gatton and soon began taking lessons from Danny... more
Ryan West shared many of his memories of traveling abroad with his father, Steve, to understand and appreciate how the business great and diversified including their early distribution of Miyazawa Flutes.. West Music has always been innovative as a music retailer, and their flute line is just one... more
Archie “Hubby” Turner served in the US Army during the Vietnam War and always felt the experience taught him, among other things, to appreciate the opportunity you have to add beauty and music to the world. Archie has done just that as a session player in Memphis, including at Hi Records. His... more
Steve Taylor was raised on music! His parents owned a large Baldwin retail store and both were piano technicians. While being taught to complete simple tasks as a teenager for the store, Steve realized he had a true passion for the craft of tuning. Years later he joined the family business and... more
Birth Date: August 19, 1956
Deceased Date: September 23, 2021
Joe Swenson played trumpet in grade school and was influenced by his mother who played the piano and gave lessons. While earning his degree in trumpet performance in college, Joe worked in a local music store where his interest in piano tuning began. He befriended the store’s piano technician and... more
Andy Strayer began his career in the music industry working for a music store, which he joined right after earning his music business degree at Wingate University in North Carolina. After several years in retail, Andy became a manufacturer’s rep for Leblanc and later for Pearl Drums. Along the way... more
Milton Sledge is the studio musician best known for a string of sessions in Muscle Shoals, Alabama as well as several albums with country super-star Garth Brooks. With Garth, Milton wrote and played drums on several key albums including the self-titled 1987 Capitol release, “No Fences,” “Ropin’... more
Larry Messerly likes to tell his customers who remark on how great a pianist he is that he is a “first page player.” After the first page all bets are off. It is a good line but perhaps not so true, as Larry has played piano since he was child and studied piano performance in college. After two... more
Alan Merriam grew up in a home filled with music. His mother was a piano teacher and his father was a fan of the big bands. Alan took piano lessons and studied music in college before becoming a professional musician. Although he loved music, as a child he did not feel his lessons were very... more
Rick Jefferies was focused on pre-med when he attended college in Jackson, Tennessee, but had a change of direction when he took a part time job at a local music store. The store sold Steinway and Wurlitzer, which was a fitting introduction to the business for Rick, who continues to be involved... more
Joerg Hermsen began his passion for music playing classical guitar in grade school. He later picked up the bass and realized he wanted to have a career in music. While in college he started an internship in the manufacturing side of the music business and Joerg was hooked! He later joined TEAC... more