Janet Gratsch
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Janet Gratsch
Interview Date: April 19, 2012
Job Title: Former Sheet Music Manager
Company: Willis Music
Birthdate: January 21, 1923
Deceased: August 25, 2012
Janet Gratsch began working at Willis Music when she was 17 years old in the Choral Department. She remained with the store until she retired and even after her retirement she would be called by the staff and hummed a song for her to name, and she would. Janet was hired in 1940 and recalled with delight during her interview of meeting Mr. Willis, John Thompson and Edna Mae Burnam, some of the main characters involved with the company over the years. She also spoke of watching a young Kevin Cranley grow up in the company. Kevin later became president of the company and Chairman of the NAMM Board of Directors. In fact, it was Kevin, who interviewed Janet for the NAMM Oral History collection!