Oral History - all
Giorgio Clerici is the son-in-law of Cosimo Pomarico, the classically trained clarinetist who in 1960 began making his own unique mouthpieces. Mr. Pomarico developed a crystal mouthpiece, which became the signature product of his company. In addition to the designs, he also built the facing... more
Bulent Akbay was born in Istanbul and was interested in playing the drums at an early age. He played throughout school and like other drummers in the area he was always looking for a place to play. This need led Bulent to form his own drum studio and school, which later included a retail element... more
Birth Date: June 11, 1926
Deceased Date: January 25, 2014
Harry West was the founder of Fine Musical Instruments located in Statesville, North Carolina. The store was an early pioneer in vintage stringed instrument sales and in fact, Stanley Jay once called Harry, "the father of us all." His store was later renamed Harry and Jeanie West's Fine Musical... more
Birth Date: February 2, 1924
Deceased Date: April 21, 2017
Guy Ward was the president of the Ward Piano Company, located in Canton, North Carolina, from the 1940s until his retirement. After his daughter and son took over the company, he continued to go into the shop every day even at the time of his 2013 NAMM Oral History interview when he was 89! As... more
Birth Date: April 24, 1931
Deceased Date: January 24, 2022
Mark Thomas was a noted flute player who toured the world and recorded several albums during his long career. As a product endorser, Mark appeared in several printed ads over the years as he was hired by several flute makers as a product engineer to help improve and in some cases, design musical... more
Birth Date: April 11, 1925
Deceased Date: April 7, 2014
George Shuffler was the country and bluegrass guitar player who is credited for a three figure cross-picking playing style (down two strings, up one) that he created out of necessity. While playing for a small country band on the radio in the 1940s, George needed to add fills to several slow paced... more
Lee Moyer began working for Marty's Music in the late 1960s. When the founder was ready to retire in 1971, Lee and his partner bought the business. They decided to keep the name and to continue to focus on school band programs as well as building the combo end of the business. Lee played a vital... more
Malcolm McFadyen served as president of the family music store just as his father and grandfather did before him. Malcolm worked with his father to establish many of the procedures for the store, including the personnel manual and the employee’s handbook. The handbook outlined the philosophy for... more
Bill McFadyen grew up in the music business and followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, father and older brother in running the McFadyen Music stores. Bill took on the role of managing the repair department, which became a very important element of the business and their abilities to provide... more
Charles Lawson has played church organ from boyhood all the way into his 80s. He was hired by a small piano store when he first moved to Bristol, Tennessee, from Knoxville to be close to his wife’s family. Along the way he opened a piano shop in Bristol, and worked closely with the Baldwin Piano... more
Dennis Howren is the president of the Howren Music Store in Charlotte, North Carolina. The store was founded by his father and was run by his two older brothers before Dennis took over as president. The store has a strong school music program and in fact one of Dennis's first jobs after returning... more
Marion Holloway is the president of Holloway Music in Monroe, North Carolina. The store was established by his grandfather in 1912 and run for many years by his father, who served as a mentor in business for Marion. Marion and his wife have been dedicated to their community and the needs of their... more
Birth Date: April 4, 1929
Deceased Date: April 30, 2021
John Dee Holeman was an influential blues performer known as the last surviving original musician who popularized the Piedmont Blues style. The finger-picking guitar style was also known as Southeastern Blues and refers to alternating thumb bass string rhythms with the syncopated melodic treble... more
Birth Date: October 7, 1948
Deceased Date: August 27, 2021
Randy "Baja" Fletcher was a well respected production manager of live events who won the 2010 Parnelli Life Time Achievement Award for his dedication to the industry. His long and passionate career included work with ZZ Top, Randy Travis and the entire touring career of Brooks & Dunn! Baja's... more
Thomas Broido recalls being carried by his father as he walked in the music publishers’ warehouses to check on business. He remembers the smell of the ink and the smiles that would greet his father by the employees. His father, Arnold Broido, was the president of Theodore Presser Music Publishing... more
Birth Date: November 20, 1923
Deceased Date: April 9, 2015
Tut Taylor was a world renowned Dobro player, but did you know he partnered with George Gruhn and the two hired Randy Wood to form a music store in Nashville? Gruhn Guitars began as GTR, which was an abbreviation for George, Tut and Randy, when it opened in the 1970s. Although George would buy Tut... more
Birth Date: February 25, 1927
Deceased Date: June 23, 2016
Ralph Stanley was best known for his featured songs in the movie "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou," although his career began in the 1930s. He sang in church with his family and later hit the road with a small group to bring their unique style of country music to the world. He appeared on radio and... more
Eddie Ray was the A&R man for Capitol-Tower Records and Imperial Records for many years. As a result he was instrumental in the careers of such artists as Fats Domino, Sandy Nelson, Pink Floyd and Ricky Nelson, among others. Eddie was also a songwriter whose songs have been performed and... more
Birth Date: November 3, 1929
Deceased Date: May 12, 2014
J. Scott McFadyen served as president of the family operated store after his father, the founder, retired. Scott was heavily involved with the music industry by helping to establish NASMD and serving on the NAMM Board of Directors. Scott's father was also the mayor of Fayetteville, North Carolina... more
Rose Karr's father worked for the founder of Cunningham Piano Company as a technician. When Mr. Cunningham passed away, Rose's father approached Mrs. Cunningham about his goals to continue the business. Rose and her sister Doris grew up in the piano business and both worked in the company for... more