Jim Wieda was just 14 years old when he was hired to play an organ for Farmer's Music Barn in Illinois. He was hired by Lowrey Organ and took part in their mall development program in the...
Arturo Vicari is the founder of AEB Industrials which he established in 1974 in Bologna, Italy. He is also the CEO of RCF Spa which is based in Reggio Emilia (Italy). Both companies desig...
Sabine Grubmüller joined the Bösendorfer Piano company in 2008, the same year the historic piano manufacturer was purchased by Yamaha. In 2015 Sabine was named the Managing Director and o...
Klaus Gehlhaar has had a passion for music and sound since a very early age. He was singing as a kid and by the age of 12 started his own band playing the guitar. He later switched to the...
John Rogers provided an in-depth overview of the Paxman Company during his NAMM Oral History interview, which happened to have taken place as the company was celebrating 100 years in busi...
Emily Achieng Akuno became the first music professor from Kenya to be elected president of the International Music Council (IMC). This took place in 2018. The position allowed her the opp...
Axel Hartmann was given a piano by his grandfather, which changed his life. He soon developed a true passion for music. The first organ he played was a Farfisa and by 13 years old he was ...
Dave Black is the Editor-in-Chief, School Method Strategy (formally Editor-in-Chief, School & Pop Publications) of Alfred Music. He was heavily influenced by his junior high band dire...
Glenn Noyes and his brother caught the music bug from their father who was a professional trumpeter. Glenn started on guitar but switched with his brother who was playing drums. In 1976, ...
Michael Doyle was traveling with a band when he had an opportunity to tour the Marshall factory. It was an eye opening and fortuitous experience. Several years later he was offered a job ...
Mary Rowden serves as the Office Manager for the Manhasset Specialty Company. The music stands maker began in 1935, when Otto Lagervall designed a stand that was sturdy and used top quali...
Dan Roberts is the president of the Manhasset Specialty Company located in Washington State. The company began making music stands in 1935 with a keen focus on quality. This remains the t...
Jason Carter is the Plant Manager for the Manhasset Specialty Company located in Washington State. The company was established by Otto Lagervall back in 1935 who sought to develop a relia...
Tim Carroll started his musical career as a session and touring keyboardist. He loved being surrounded by the latest innovations in musical technology and was always an early adopter, esp...
H. John Nonaka keeps in mind that his grandfather, who established the family owned music business, always supported musicians - an element of the business John happily continues. Since j...
Michael Newsom proudly serves as the Marketing Director for LR Baggs. The position brings together Michael’s passion for music and love of gear. As a kid, he played in bands with his brot...
Amir Marghany received his law degree in his home country of Egypt while wanting to apply his knowledge to the music industry. He sought the advice of Sammy Ash, who gave him some insight...
Phil Hilborne turned the pages while next to his mother as a child as she played the piano. That early experience was not only a wonderful memory, but a useful training opportunity to rea...
Abdulla Muijrers was encouraged to pursue his musical dreams by his parents. He was inspired by Queen and Motörhead while playing drums in a thrash medal band. Abdulla landed a job in the...
Zach Frederick has been around music his entire life. His brother, Alex, is a professional classical percussionist and Zach was playing his first instrument in the fourth grade. What he d...
Keith Taylor strongly believes that every recording engineer should have a foundation in music. Understanding the elements and structure of music has proven to be key to his success as an...
Al Slivinski was in the third grade when a salesman visited his school with the pitch “you too can be an accordion player!” Al developed great techniques on the accordion that served him ...
Viola Schimmel proudly recalls the mantra of her great grandfather, the founder of Schimmel Pianos, “Quality will prevail.” These words provide motivation, understanding, and guidance for...
John Schauer grew up in Indiana where his father offered him some sage advice; “if you listen, you will know what to say.” The quote stayed with John as he developed a career in the music...
Rob Meads recalls his father purchasing a Lowrey Organ and how he could think of nothing he would rather do than have a career making music! As a teenager, Rob was hired by legendary musi...
Buddy Linn likes talking trash! In fact, he takes great care in making sure most NAMM Show attendees are unaware of the removal of trash before, during, and after the trade shows each yea...
Chris Kelly has always thought outside the box, which has proven to be a perfect element for marketing guitars to rock bands. While working for Robin Guitars in Houston, Texas, Chris brou...
Carlos Hidalgo was just thirteen when he learned the guitar and fifteen when he switched to drums. A year later he was working in a local music store, Allegro Musical. Carlos really enjoy...
Ilja Krumins is a co-founder of Gamechanger Audio. He was born in Latvia and studied music in London while playing rock, surf, and rockabilly in several bands he formed with his friends. ...
Rob Hanson joined the brass band as a school kid in a small town in England. When looking for a job Rob turned to John Packer, who owned and operated the instrument company that provided ...
