deceased

 David L. Abell formed his piano retail store in Beverly Hills back in the late 1950s.  Since that time he has established one of the finest reputations in our industry.  Noted musicians, industry leaders and movie stars alike have boasted of his quality of service and the fact that most of his deals have been based on a handshake.  David, however, is equally proud of the regular customers who may not be famous but are treated as if they were.  Back in the early 1960s, David L.

Hawley Ades was hired by Irving Berlin in 1932 to assist the legendary American songwriter with musical arrangements.  Hawley stayed with Berlin for five years before being hired by choir master and bandleader Fred Waring.  He joined Mr. Waring at the time the bandleader hoped to launch his own music publishing company, which became Shawnee Press.  Hawley wrote a noted method book on choral conducting and thousands of published arrangements for Shawnee.  In Fact, he worked for Shawnee Press until Mr.

Henry Adler helped define the percussion industry with his music publishing company, drum shop and method books.  His amazing life in music began as a drummer during the big band era.  His many gigs and one nighters gained the attention of a friend who encouraged Henry to open a drum studio and music studio in the heart of New York City.  The Henry Adler Music Store near Time Square was an important resource for drummers, both those playing in town and those traveling.  He established the Henry Adler Publishing Company and released a method book he co-wrote with Buddy Rich on the rudiments of percussion, along with the Latin drummer’s guide and method book he wrote w

 Howard Bailey was the executive account representative for the Freeman Companies, which serviced the NAMM show. Howard became a beloved part of the NAMM family and helped develop many benefits for the trade show attendee as well as the exhibitor. Beginning in 1964, Howard provided detail dimensions and locations of the exhibit space (first in hotel sleeping rooms and later in the great ballroom and convention settings), which provided great benefit to the exhibitor, allowing them to be more precise about the inventory they brought to the show.

AV (Bam) Bamford was a colorful country music producer originally from Cuba. During the mid-1930s, he owned and operated a string of radio stations, mostly in the southern United States. As a promoter of these stations, he often befriended performers who would perform live on the radio or at remote locations such as state fairs. Over the years he was asked to manage a number of musicians, including Hank Williams.

Mike Battle invented the Echoplex, the pioneering electric effects device, which played a vital role in the early development of the rock and roll sound. The Echoplex was famously used by Sun Records founder Sam Phillips who used the echo effect on several of Elvis Presley’s first recordings (“Blue Moon” and “Mystery Train” showcase this sound beautifully). Over the years Jimmy Page used the Echoplex to create counter rhythms and country icon Chet Atkins recorded a unique slapback using the device. In the 1990s, Mr.

Larry Bearce formed Reston Music in northern Virginia in the 1960s and later opened several locations in the area. One key to the store’s success was the man himself. He was a dedicated music maker who found personal satisfaction in watching student’s progress and learn music. He took pride in knowing each student and the families, a fact that was apparent to all those who visited his store. Larry was proud of his staff and the fact that all of his seven children have something to do with music, including a son who runs one of the stores.

Louie Bellson was one of the World's premier drummers and listed in every jazz encyclopedia. Even with great success, he remained humble and one of the true gentlemen of American popular music. With his noted double bass drum kit, a series of method books, and respected clinics, Louie made a major impact on the music products industry. Over the decades Louie has been an endorsee and performer at the NAMM show and served as vice president at REMO, Inc. During his playing career, which included years with Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James and Duke Ellington, Louie became an innovator in style and a great example of musical staying power.

John Beltrandi served as a road rep for Kaman Music on the east coast for over 40 years. He traveled mostly in Massachusetts and Connecticut and helped pioneer the Ovation guitar, which was not well accepted when it was first introduced, but built up a strong audience in the early years. The Ovation guitar was introduced in 1966 and by the time John came to the company a few years later, singer Glen Campbell had used the instrument on his TV program. As a result, the guitar became a popular item making it difficult for John to keep up with the requests from his many retail customers. Among the favorite elements of his career were the friends he made along the way.

Richard Bennett served many roles during his long career in music, perhaps most notably as the sales rep for Wurlitzer towards the end of the 1960s. His involvement in retail and his philosophy on customer service have had a lasting effect on his success and the success of the dealers he would call on. This point has been proven time and time again as we have interviewed others in the industry who have remarked on Dick’s care for the retailer. His first job after serving in the Navy during World War II was as a band director.