Library & Resource Center

Established in 1946 when NAMM was only 45 years old, the NAMM Resource Center provides its Members, the media, academic researchers and the general public with access to historical data about this great industry.

Scope
The broader scope of the collections is the history of the music products industry. Within that broader scope, materials are categorized into five main subject categories:

  • NAMM History
  • Manufacturer History
  • Retail History
  • Music History (especially as it pertains to instrument and product innovations)
  • Legacy Collections

Drawing on more than a century of NAMM research, records and archives, the Resource Center has access to everything from statistical records on retail music products sales to videotaped interviews with more than 1,000 of the people who have shaped this industry's history.

We hope you find what you're looking for right here, but if you have any questions, please contact us at 760.438.8001 or via e-mail at library@namm.org.

Publications

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2010 NAMM Global Report

NAMM's mission is to unify, lead and strengthen the global music products industry and to increase active participation in music making. In addition,...
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PLAYback Magazine

Previous issues of PLAYback can be viewed in the ARCHIVES section of nxtbook. PLAYback is NAMM's quarterly publication providing Members...

Oral History

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Oral History Video Clip Tutorial

Click on this image to view a brief tutorial on how to easily navigate NAMM Oral History Video Clips.
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George Duke

George Duke built his musical career on innovative styles and sounds. His reputation for creative and influential performances cross over jazz, pop...
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Barb Fairhurst

Barb Fairhurst was hired by Dave Smith to manage the business elements of his newly-formed company he called Sequential Circuits, back in 1977. The...
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Gary Hoey

Gary Hoey is a fantastically gifted guitar player who continues to inspire fans around the world. Honing and perfecting his chops on the East Coast,...
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Kazuo Ishibashi

Kazuo Ishibashi spent over 25 years in the Special Equipment Division of JVC (Japan Victor Corporation) and headed their musical instrument...
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John W. Ward

John W. Ward began working in the music industry as a piano salesman in the late 1950s, before working for the Sherman Clay store chain in 1961....
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Gary Wineroth

Gary Wineroth is the president of the Guitar Showcase in San Jose, California, one of the best loved music retailers in the music products industry....

In Memoriam

Remembering oral history interviewees who passed away in 2010.

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Webb Phillips

Webb Phillips formed the Allied Piano Company outside of Philadelphia with the goal of filling a need. As a piano technician it was hard to find...
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Jacob Malta

Jacob Malta was an innovator in designing handbells and hand chimes. His approach to product development and engineering led to several...
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Robert Beals

Robert Beals was just a young man when he first met Chick Evans. The two worked to perfect and promote Mr. Evan’s idea of a synthetic drumhead...
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Harry Begian

Harry Begian was one of the most respected band directors in the United States. Serving at the high school and college levels for over 45...
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Geoff Brash

Geoff Brash was an iconic music retailer in Australia who became known around the world for his passion and his brilliant business knowledge....
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Koob Veneman

Koob Veneman’s father started the first Veneman’s Music Store in Holland, an idea copied by Koob in Maryland in 1960. Koob, like his...
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Kees van Willigen

Kees van Willigen opened a music shop in Holland in 1968. As an accordion player he specialized in the instrument and soon gained a world-wide...

What's New

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35 Interviews Completed in June 2010

Thirty-five Interviews Completed in June! With a trip to the NAMM Summer Show in Nashville, the Music Publishers Association meeting in New York and...
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NAMM Oral History 10th Anniversary

Tenth Anniversary April 2010 marks the 10th anniversary of the first NAMM Oral History Interview! Many great stories have been captured, industry...
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Industry Centenarians Share Their Legacy in NAMM Oral History Interviews

NAMM's Oral History Program Creates a Time Capsule of Industry Knowledge Than Can Be Shared for Years to Come Last Thursday, Robert Cosgrove, former...
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Check Out the Newest NAMM Oral History Interviews

A record-breaking 43 videotaped interviews were captured for the NAMM Oral History program during the 2010 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. Thanks...
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NAMM'S Oral History Interview with Ravi Shankar

Ravi Shankar was called the Godfather of World Music by his longtime friend George Harrison. Ravi’s role in bringing Indian music to the world...
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Oldest Known NAMM Member Photo Donated

NAMM Receives Donation of Photograph Depicting Membership In 1915 from Granddaughter of Past President Alfred LaMotte NAMM recently announced that...
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Dan Del Fiorentino receives the 2009 Sandy Feldstein Service Award from RPMDA

The 2009 RPMDA Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, attracted over 200 attendees, including 45 exhibitors and approximately 40 first-time attendees. A...

© 2010 NAMM, the International Music Products Association