Rich Neville
Oral History Information
Rich Neville has spent his life making music and for decades has helped others obtain their musical dreams. Rich was a touring musician who turned to a career in music retail and never let go of the passion he first had as a kid in the school band playing trombone. He gigged in rock bands on bass and after a stint in the US Army, Rich began setting up PA systems for Dound West in San Diego. The opportunity led to engineering and playing jobs including working sound for the band Return to Forever in 1974. For years Rich toured with Vince Gill, Ronnie Dunn, Paco, and Tanya Tucker (among others), and while off the road worked in a number of music retail stores including Driver Music in Oklahoma. In the late 1990s, he moved to Flagstaff and began working at Arizona Music Pro, which he has thoroughly enjoyed. He calls on schools to assist band directors with their instrument and accessory needs and finds great satisfaction helping musicians of all ages who walk in the store needing help.