Tennessee

Robert Averwater’s father, M. J. Averwater taught music, wrote a method book and opened up Amro Music in Memphis, TN, with a fellow music teacher. Robert recalls the early days after the war reorganizing the company as new products were once again being produced. He was proud that two of his four sons, Chip and Patrick, followed in his footsteps at the store, and that a fourth generation of Averwaters, CJ, has begun working at the store.
 

Chip Averwater took over the music retail business in Memphis, just as his father did and his son would one day, keeping the tradition in the family. Chip’s passion for the music business expanded beyond the store and out into volunteer positions for several organizations including NAMM. Serving on the NAMM Board, Chip played an important role in the development of international outreach programs including providing support for the newly created China show. Chip was the Chairman of the NAMM Board for two years beginning in 2008.

Bobby Crafford still has his first snare drum, the one he played when he recorded early Rockabilly songs for Sun Records in Memphis, TN. In 1957 he joined the Pacers, the band behind Sonny Burgess. Being part of the roots of rock and roll has always been a source of pride for him. Sonny split up the group to open a music retail store and raise his family, after 20 years he called Bobby and the rest of the Pacers asking if they wanted to go on the road. “I was thrilled and was packing before I hung up the phone.” Bobby played drums and was the booking manager for the group; in fact it was Bobby who set up their now famous tour of Europe in the 1980s.  

Fred Douglas recalled picking up his first Fender Precision Bass when he was hired to record as a member of the Pacers. The Pacers were the band behind the “wild man of rock and roll” Sonny Burgess. The band recorded early Rockabilly songs for the Sun label out of Memphis, years before Elvis Presley started in the very same studio. Fred remained with Sonny for all of the Pacer’s Sun recordings and related tours, in fact they opened for Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and the pioneer of the Rockabilly sound, Carl Perkins. Fred’s bass playing can be heard on a number of Sonny’s hits, including “Fannie Brown.”  

Vernon Drane played several musical instruments growing up in Tennessee including the trumpet and saxophone. He later studied instrument repair and spent several years working with the Amro Music Company in Memphis. Vernon is also a baritone singer who has performed in two church choirs for over 60 years and can be heard on several pop recordings that took part in the early days of rock and roll. Being a friend of Sun Records founder, Sam Phillips, Vernon found himself making extra money writing lead sheets for various bands that came to record, one of which was the Bill Justice band. Vernon recorded several songs with them in 1957 including the multi-million seller, “Raunchy”.
 

Gary Forkum had the idea of setting up a small percussion display in the back closet of Corner Music where he was working. The drum department grew so much that Corner Music owner Larry Garris and Gary decided it might be best if he opened his own drum store. Gary opened Fork’s Drum Closet in Nashville, TN, and soon became an important part of percussive retailing in the area. Gary is a member of the Five-Star Drum Shop Marketing Group and became a NAMM Board member in 2008. 

Larry Garris is the founder of Corner Music in Nashville, Tennessee. Located in the heart of the country music region, Corner Music has become the place to purchase the latest gear and to listen to some great music. Over the years, Larry has developed long-lasting relationships with many of the local recording studios and their engineers. If there is a last minute need, Corner Music is the place to go.

Bob Hazard is a very familiar face in the Memphis music retail market. His piano and organ business played an important role during the boom of home organs during the 1960s and 70s. Bob’s knowledge of the Hammond product line was renowned across the entire industry as was his friendship with fellow Memphis retailer Gordon Pfund. Bob’s NAMM Oral History interview was completed on June 24, 2008 the same day Gordon was interviewed for the collection.
 

Henry Juszkiewicz, Gibson Guitar Corporation’s CEO, attended the Rainforest Alliance’s annual gala concert in 1994, where he first heard about the SmartWood program. He realized by teaming with environmentally friendly operations, Gibson could sustain its wood supply for a longer period of time. Just four years later the company revealed the Les Paul SmartWood Exotic series, which included among its features environmentally friendly harvested tropical woods. A portion of all of these guitars is donated to the Rainforest Alliance. 

TK Keckler moved to Memphis at an early age and began playing with local bands, which is when he met Mike Ladd. Mike was a musician who opened a small guitar shop in town and would later become a strong force in the electric guitar movement of the 1970s, including the reissue of the Gibson Le Paul. TK was hired by Mike and helped modify and design guitars, which led to several custom projects for Led Zeppelin and Elvis Presley, among others. TK most recently has been a consultant for Saint Blues Guitar Workshop in Memphis.