Oral History

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Jeff "Skunk" Baxter

Jeff “Skunk” Baxter gained enormous international fame as a founding member of Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers. Skunk’s solo...
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William Bay

William Bay grew up in the music business and like his father, contributed to the field of music method publications.  Mel Bay was a pioneer in...
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Susan Beacock

Susan Beacock walked into a shopping mall with her music director husband in 1978 and noticed a small empty shop. He suggested they open a music...
Robert Beals thumbnail

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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Larry Bearce

Larry Bearce formed Reston Music in northern Virginia in the 1960s and has since opened several locations in the area. One key to the store’s...
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John H. Beck

John H. Beck has an amazing talent for explaining the art of music making, not just teaching music, but providing meaning to the student in ways that...
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Tom Beckman

Tom Beckman opened a music store with his band director while still in college in 1958. The relationships he created in the store lead to a road...
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Ruby Beeston

Ruby Beeston was a piano teacher when she suggested that a local piano store carry sheet music. The store offered her space to sell the materials,...
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Harry Begian

Harry Begian has become 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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Dick Bell

Dick Bell was surprised by the impact he had on the music industry, a fact that became clear to him at the NAMM Show 2009, when the Roland Corp gave...

© 2009 NAMM, the International Music Products Association