Jim Gurley

Jim Gurley had more stories than just about any one else in the NAMM Oral History collection!  He taught guitar in Los Angles area music stores while picking up guitars at Rickenbacker Guitars and in Leo Fender’s first workshop in the late 1940s and early 50s.  Jim later became one of the first promoters for the Ovation Guitar and, in fact, signed endorsements with the likes of Bobby Gentry, Glen Campbell and Josh White.  His relationship with Glen Campbell went back to when Glen was a teenager.  The two later played in groups together and one day Jim asked if Glen would try a new guitar.  The promotion that Glen gave the instrument on his weekly TV program was unequaled in the industry at the time!