Wurlitzer

My name is Scott Erlandson and my grandfather served on the NAMM Board and as President in the 1950s.  My grandpa's entire life was dedicated to business and education. He was in the music sales business as vice president of Wurlitzer. He owned a chain of music stores in Ohio, which is what led him to NAMM as a board member. He was also the first assistant secretary of the N.E.A. Later in life he was involved with the American Institute for Character Education, for the implementation of teaching young children the values of good and kind behavior.  My grandfather always stressed the importance of music as part every education and character development.
 

 Scott Anderson was among the renowned sales representatives at Wurlitzer during the iconic company’s heyday.  When Wurlitzer “meant music to millions” (to use their famous slogan) Scott had established long-lasting relationships with many of the top selling dealers for the company.  1954 was the first of 34 years with the company and since that time Scott remains one of the most respected and known reps in the industry.  In 2003, Scott teamed with several other former Wurlitzer employees

Richard Bennett served many roles during his long career in music, perhaps most notably as the sales rep for Wurlitzer towards the end of the 1960s. His involvement in retail and his philosophy on customer service have had a lasting effect on his success and the success of the dealers he would call on. This point has been proven time and time again as we have interviewed others in the industry who have remarked on Dick’s care for the retailer. His first job after serving in the Navy during World War II was as a band director. When he became a salesman for band instruments he could relate to the band directors on their own level and fought hard to provide additional support to bands just starting out.

Dick Carlson spoke in a soft and sincere tone when he described the family feeling working at Wurlitzer in DeKalb, Illinois. Dick joined the company that proclaimed “Wurlitzer Means Music to Millions” as a sales representative in 1955. He traveled to music retail stores to fulfill their products needs. “Where ever I went, I always felt I had the backing of the people in the office. Those employees were just like my brothers and sisters, just like my children. I cared for them and they cared for me. It was easy selling a product when you had this way of thinking.” Dick currently works for the Schmitt Music Store in Omaha, Nebraska.
 

Dick Christian has spent his entire career in the piano and organ business and has made many friends along the way. His support for the industry led him to the role as president of the National Piano Travelers Association. Having worked retail before joining the teams of Thomas, Baldwin, Wurlitzer and Samick, Dick has a great understanding of the role a salesman can fill for both supplier and dealer and works to help both from his position.  

Glenn Derringer is one of the icons of the music products industry. As a small child, Glenn gained national fame as a whiz on the piano and organ. In fact, Elvis Presley opened for Glenn when the soon-to-be crowned King of Rock made his TV debut on the Dorsey Brothers Stage Show in 1955. With great vigor and dedication, Glenn went on to carve out a respected reputation, first at Wurlitzer and other companies before becoming the president of Hanser Holdings and BC Rich Guitars.
 

Dave Fletcher was born into a music family. His father developed the Fletcher Music Centers and his brother Robert (a NAMM Past President) expanded the business along with Dave to become one of the most significant forces in piano and organ sales in the decades following the great organ boom of the 1970s. With time spent working for Wurlitzer, Dave understands the keyboard business and has played an important role over the last 30 years in developing a market that focuses on retired individuals.  

Larry Fresch has worked by day as a sales manager for piano and organ companies and by night as an accomplished saxophone player and singer in Southern California. He grew up in Sandusky, Ohio, where his father had a music retail store. Young Larry began playing the accordion before switching to the saxophone at the age of ten. He enlisted in the United States Navy and attended the Navy Music School in Washington, DC. Larry performed on many Goodwill Tours including those for wounded soldiers returning home from Vietnam.

William Fuller began working as a salesman for the Wurlitzer Company in 1953. His original idea was to gain some sales training and look for a job in the office, which was based in his hometown of DeKalb, Ill. William really enjoyed traveling to dealers throughout his territory, which changed several times before he retired in 1988. He never did make it to a desk job at Wurlitzer, but William will be the last to bring that point up because of the many friends he met as a sales rep. In 2003, William took part in the astonishing Wurlitzer reunion, which brought co-workers back together several years after the company closed. The reunion was a wonderful example of the family feeling William felt while working for the Mighty Wurlitzer Company.
 

Gene Gray was a sales rep for the mighty Wurlitzer Company from 1965 until 1988. During his NAMM interview, Gene spoke first hand of the great family feelings many had while working for the DeKalb,IL, based manufacturer. Gene played in his high school marching band and had music a part of his life in college where he studied economics and began working in sales. After several years in a music retail store and in other industries Gene started his long association with Wurlitzer.