Church Music

Charlotte Atkinson is an organist extraordinaire! Showing an aptitude for music early on, Charlotte continued with formal education earning Bachelor and Masters degrees in music. At San Diego State University she first met her husband, William, in Howard Brubeck's theory class. In her junior year at SDSU she and William (Bill) were married and spent the next several decades touring as the Atkinson Duo with Charlotte on piano, organ and harpsichord and Bill on flute and choir directing. They were organist and music directors of several churches and were actively involved in many service and musical organizations. They were mostly involved locally with the Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad and the First Presbyterian Church in Oceanside.

Doyle Dykes is not only one of his generation’s greatest guitar pickers; he is also an incredible human being. Doyle’s career as a guitar player led him to sessions with his hero, Chet Atkins, as well as regular church worship programs around the world. Mr. Dykes stated, “I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to play music for people. It’s simple, but it is a blessing I’m grateful for everyday.” Doyle was first interviewed on the NAMM Show floor during a program with Taylor Guitar founder, Bob Taylor on January 18, 2002.

Ken Edgington has many friends in the music industry, several of whom suggested he be included in the NAMM Oral History program, but when approached Ken was rather humble about his role in the music business, “are you sure you have the right guy?” Ken worked for the Baldwin Piano Company in Ohio during the home organ boom and into the final days of the company. He has since been active as the manager of Viscount Church Organs in Montana. His interview provided a meaningful account of the changes in the piano and organ business as well as the development of newer markets.

Ed Harris purchased the Teller music wholesaler in Chicago during the 1960s. Along with his brother, Mike, Ed changed the name to Harris-Teller and expanded the company’s dealer base and product line. A few years later Ed established his own music publishing company, which sits across the street from Harris-Teller. GIA Publications began in 1966 with a focus on church music and hymnals. Ed’s son Alec grew up in the business and is currently the company’s president.  

Geoffrey Lorenz is a passionate music publisher who is rather proud of his family's history in the print business. And he should! The Lorenz family ushered many firsts in the world of print and have come to symbolize quality publications. As the President of the Christian Music Publishers Association, Geoffrey has been a leader one of the large growth segments of the industry, worship music and publications. His knowledge and love of the industry has also been of great value to this program.

Martha Markowitz married her knight-in-shining-armor right after World War II. She soon helped him run the small organ company he started before the war. The Allen Organ Company has been a pioneering business in church organs and in digital technology for many decades. Although Jerome has passed away in 1991, the legacy of his innovations remain. His son, Steve Markowitz, runs the business today, which is currently the top producer and seller of church organs in the United States.
 

Howard Rachinski was the music director for his church in Portland in 1985 when a need to expand the ministry developed. Howard noticed that the members of his church and most churches he knew were not compliant with music copyright laws. Establishing a service for church that today is the Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI), Howard not only helps the churches become and stay compliant, but assists the publishers with the record keeping. Howard was born and raised in Canada where he went to Bible school before becoming Bill Gather’s recording representative in the early 1980s.  

George Shorney’s grandfather formed a small music publishing company in 1892 with the goal of serving the church by printing hymnals. The company, Hope Publishing, has done just that and over the years established a respected reputation for quality research and an extensive catalog. One of the early successes of Hope was their role in bringing the great British hymns to American churches.

John Styll formed the Contemporary Christian Music magazine in 1978 as the leading voice in the new era of church music was being established. After selling the publication 20 years later, he became president of the Gospel Music Association (GMA) where he played an important role in the growth and development of “music that conveys the gospel.” The music methods changed greatly under his leadership to include popular forms of music with gospel messages such as country, rock, rap, and punk. John’s NAMM Oral History interview was completed on April 26, 2006. 

Jerry Weimer clearly enjoys talking about music! As a vital part of the business side of Bill Gather’s career, Jerry assisted in the expansion of Gather’s music and his publishing company. Jerry later worked for Thomas Nelson Publishing and helped close the deal to purchase Word Music in 1991, becoming the company’s executive vice president. He then assisted in the development of Integrity Music, where he served as president during the early part of 2000, when the church music industry was experiencing its biggest boom in music.