Look at this collection of government officials, educators, and artists providing their views on why it is essential to advocate for strong music education programs. You will hear from Fo...
Ricky Zayas remembers with a smile purchasing his first trumpet back in 1987 for just $60.00! The instrument came about based on the urging of a neighbor and the influence of his band dir...
Rick Thacker is one of five kids in his family, all of which became multi instrumentalists. Rick pursued violin and viola beginning with the Suzuki Method when he was just three years old...
Luis Orta is a jazz saxophonist from Puerto Rico who spent much of his NAMM Oral History interview engaging us with the rich history of Latin Jazz. He spoke of the importance of the percu...
Ronnie Mallory is one of those small town Band Directors who had made a big difference in the lives of students, parents and fellow educators alike. Playing tuba in high school and enjoyi...
Gale Mallory served as Band Director in Georgia and Alabama for over 38 years, making a real difference in the lives of thousands of students! She innovated several elements to the Marchi...
Julia Arza is the Director of Operations and a passionate advocate for AIMM, the Alliance of Independent Music Merchants. She joined the organization in 2017 and has helped expand its sum...
Sandy Gennaro’s skills as a drummer can be heard on recordings and live performances by artists such as Hall of Famers Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Bo Diddley and Cyndi Lauper, The Monk...
Paul Finke played drums since he was just a kid and gravitated towards the music business in 1985 when he was hired at Willis Music. At the time the company had eight locations and workin...
Craig Denny loves band rental night so much, partly because he remembers the own experience as one of his most meaningful. He was eight years old and the team at Quinlan & Fabish Musi...
John Mlynczak soared as a student on his trumpet. He engaged other students and teachers alike to gain the most out of their experiences together while in practice or performing for conte...
John Richardson has fond memories of walking into Don Wilson Music in Kentucky and purchasing his first tenor saxophone. Mr. Wilson sold the instrument for less than it was worth in the h...
Honoring Lenise Bent for her invaluable service in assisting the NAMM Resource Center in obtaining fantastic interview contributions to the NAMM Oral History Program. This video contains ...
Melvin Quinones has a fascinating backstory as to how he established Victory Musical Instruments in Puerto Rico. It all began with his love and passion for making music, which started whe...
Kairalis Pacheco proudly refers to her father as her hero. As a musician in Puerto Rico, he spoke out about some of the struggles his community experienced with the police and politicians...
Eggy Hernandez’s grandfather purchased a drum kit for him when he was in the seventh grade from Micheo Music in Puerto Rico. Eggy took lessons for three years and really developed a passi...
Andrea Rodriguez grew up in a music centric family with her father and uncle being music retailers and her older brother a trumpet player. Her passion for conveying messages and marketing...
Kevin Rodriguez began playing trumpet in his home country of Puerto Rico while in grade school. When his family moved to Texas, Kevin continued to play the horn in his school Marching Ban...
Tony Escapa was inspired to play music from his father, fittingly who he was named after. Younger Tony began beating on furniture at an early age and was given drums when he was nine year...
Stevan Micheo is the founder of Micheo Music, which has four locations in Puerto Rico. His passion for music runs deep and can be traced back to his mother who was a musician who instille...
Gerald Ishibashi is the musician, music retailer and concert producer who has taken part and witnessed some of the biggest changes and developments in our industry. With a love for music,...
Jeff Jacobs grew up in Chicago and remembers going to Gand Music to buy his first very own instrument, although his parents had an upright piano in their home. Jeff’s purchase was the eve...
We pause to remember those we have lost in our industry since our last gathering each year. Join us for performances by The LA Scots Pipe Band and Guitarist Doyle Dykes as we play a video...
DJ Modgirl (AKA Kellee McQuinn), whose exuberant style adds flair and vitality to any party is a bit of a celebrity in Palm Springs. With a weekly dance mix radio show on KGAY 106.5 and h...
Rob Shanahan was interviewed on the day Palm Springs unveiled a star on their Walk of Stars dedicated to Hal Blaine. The legendary studio drummer was first a hero then a friend to Rob, wh...
DJ Ken Heath grew up in a very musical family and was always encouraged to follow his passion for music. His mother and uncles performed on the radio over the years and Ken dreamed of per...
Humberto Vela is the Executive Director of The Academy of Musical Performance, which seeks to provide musical training for young students in the Coachella Valley. The AMP’s mission is to ...
Kate Spates is a Co-Founder of The Academy of Musical Performance located in Indio, California. The AMP was the idea of Roman Whittaker who recognized the need to support music education ...
Clem Burk was the rock drummer who played with the group Blondie beginning in 1975, a year after the band was formed. With the band, Clem played on all of the band's tours and hit records...
