Oral History - all
John Musselman has enjoyed a long and successful career in the music industry with Selmer, Leblanc and American. His zeal for the industry and understanding of international markets have proven to be a key factor in the growth of the companies he has been involved with over the years. Along the way... more
Whitney Brown Grisaffi is the proud president of Ted Brown Music a Tacoma, Washington based retail store established by her grandfather. Her dedication and passion for the business are evident in her relationship with her customers, staff and others in the industry. Like her late father, Warren... more
Lee Anderton’s grandfather started a small music store that Lee now runs, Anderton Music in Guildford, England. During Lee’s early years in the business, he worked to make the Internet and other challenges work for him as he focused on customer service and quality products. With his attention to... more
Bruce Perrin is the Managing Director for Barnes & Mullins, located in Oswestry, England. The company was formed in 1895 and published the famous banjo magazine called “The Jo.” The company soon expanded to produce their own brand of banjos as well as importing instruments. Bruce became... more
Gary Stewart Hurst is known around the industry as “Gary the Fuzzman” for being the inventor of the Tone Bender fuzz pedal, which he began producing in the 1960s. Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page started using Gary’s Tone Benders in 1965 and soon demand for his fuzz pedals came in from around the world.... more
Ronnie Drumm has had a full and fulfilling life in music! As a child he picked up the trumpet, which he used during his time as a big band leader, musical director and educator. Ronnie worked with a who’s who of entertainers such as Steve Allen, Bob Hope and Jack Benny as well as a long stint as... more
Birth Date: July 10, 1914
Deceased Date: January 31, 2017
Abbott Buegeleisen and his late brother ran the music wholesaling business that his father formed in New York City. Abbott’s father and a friend, who soon after passed away, combined their names to form Buegeleisen & Jacobson. B&J became a strong force in the industry by providing... more
Russell Beacock is president of Beacock Music, a Vancouver, Washington-based retail store that was established by his parents, Dale and Susan, back in 1976. Proudly representing the second generation of the family owned business, Russ works alongside his sister Gayle. Together they have expanded... more
Birth Date: September 12, 1922
Deceased Date: August 5, 2012
Theo Dollmann was the sales representative for Schott Music, the famed music publisher located in Mainz Germany. He joined the company in 1939 and continued to work for the company past his retirement. During his NAMM Oral History interview, Mr. Dollmann recounted how the manuscripts and important... more
Birth Date: May 29, 1957
Deceased Date: May 7, 2011
Big George Webley was a beloved voice over the BBC for many years who often included many of his own incredible musical experiences in his late night radio program. As a session bassist, George played for recordings, television and the movies. As a composer, he wrote for many BBC broadcasts in... more
Ron Escheté grew up in and around Houma, Louisiana and, during his NAMM Oral History interview, said, “I was never taught the blues, it was just something all around all the time. Playing the blues to me is like walking or breathing air.” As a musician, Ron has created a unique style on the seven-... more
Birth Date: October 18, 1951
Deceased Date: November 11, 2017
John Stiernberg was active in the music industry for decades and provided services as a consultant that he developed from his experience and relationships. Before establishing his consulting firm in 1993, John was a rep for an audio equipment company as well as a marketing manager. His goal to... more
Birth Date: October 4, 1927
Deceased Date: November 25, 2016
John McCrea was born and raised in Billings, Montana, where he first discovered his passion for music. He played the clarinet and was inspired by his band director to teach music in public schools, which John did for 35 years. By the time he retired from teaching, he and his family were living in... more
Dodie Stevens loves to sing and has for as long as she can remember. Her parents told her she was singing before she talked. Dodie grew up performing on radio and early TV dance programs. In 1959 she had her first big hit, “Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces,” which was followed up by “No” and “Yes, I am... more
Birth Date: March 24, 1925
Deceased Date: May 10, 2017
Norman Marshank joined his father’s independent manufacturer’s representatives full time after serving in World War II. His father, David, formed Marshank Sales in Los Angeles in 1920 and over the years the company grew as did the pro-audio industry. Norm took over the business and oversaw its... more
Gary Marshank grew up in the business his grandfather had established in 1920. The Los Angeles based Marshank Sales focuses on independent manufacturer’s representation of electronic and pro-audio components, an industry that developed during the time his company has been in business. Gary has... more
Edward Marsh, like many jazz pianists, was greatly influenced by the raw power and brilliant ideas of Art Tatum and other musical innovators. Ed took hold of jazz and blended it with his classical training to create his own unique style. After school he began working in piano sales with music... more
Birth Date: May 4, 1930
Deceased Date: September 6, 2013
Bobby Martin was one of the architects who developed the Philly Sound that provided a unique twist of soul and funk records of the 1960s and 70s. As a producer he worked with many top artists of the day and as an arranger he gave us the blend of blues and funk on “For the Love of Money” with the O’... more
Leon Pascucci grew up in the music industry as his father was the president of Leblanc in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Leon remembers well the times he spent with Mr. Leblanc in France and the many company workers he felt were part of his family. Leon’s father Vito slowly exposed Leon to all areas of the... more
Mimi Piper was looking for a part time job after raising her three boys when a neighbor told her of an opening at Rico Reeds in Los Angeles. She joined the company as an assistant in 1974 and remained with the company until it was sold in 2005. During her career with the company she worked... more