radio

Bob Casey enjoyed a long career in pro audio and radio. It all began when he was four years old when he saw the large sound cones on his father’s truck. His father formed Edward P. Casey’s Sound System Company and became one of the early inventors of PA (Public Address) systems in New York. Over the years Bob’s father created the sound systems for many of the Catholic churches in the city as well as for Yankee Stadium. Bob formed his own company creating sound systems for night clubs and studios in New York and on occasion would work with his father on larger projects such as when the Pope provided mass at Yankee Stadium in 1979. Bob also played an important role for the Armed Forces Radio Network during the Vietnam War.

Alan Dale, as a lover of swing music, found himself as a radio station host in the San Francisco Bay Area. He graced the airwaves over several stations and along the way began approaching traveling artists for interviews to be played during his radio program. These interviews served as a strong influence to Dan Del Fiorentino, who helped develop the NAMM Oral History program beginning in 2000. The way Alan made the people and their stories come to life in a way that was a thrill to the listener and an honor for the interviewee. 

John Kozar is the founder of Piano Productions Press in Philadelphia. This music publishing company was formed to release the works of the First Piano Quartet, which began broadcasting a 20-minute radio program in the 1940s that ran for 12 years. The amazing output of the quartet were mostly based on 4 pianos 8 hands original compositions. Piano Productions Press also publishes the novel and popular “Noise of a Multitude” by Shane Cadman, which was written for 1 piano 18 hands.
 

George Renfro spent his career beating the bushes in the record business, calling on radio stations, following up with concert promoters and being a freelancer for record companies in the effort to promote new hit records. The nearly forgotten role of record promoter was at its peek in the 1950s and ‘60s when George was hired by nearly all the record labels in the Los Angeles area to get their latest records heard. As a result George is given credit for countless successful acts getting their start in the record business. Even more than his business success, George has become one of the best loved people in the music industry!

Curly Seckler is a pioneer in the development of Bluegrass music. He began performing professionally in 1935, on a daily radio program on WSTP in Salisbury, NC.  After the breakup of the Monroe Brothers act, Curly was the first tenor singer selected by Charlie Monroe for his Kentucky Pardners band in 1939. He was also the tenor singer with Flatt & Scruggs for twelve years, during their most creative period, and can be heard on nearly all of their greatest hits. Curly played a very important role in the growth of the Bluegrass Festivals beginning in the 1960s, which have brought the acoustic-styled music to thousands of fans.

Russ Turner opened his own organ repair company in the early 1960s in the early days of the home organ boom. He worked with all of the organ dealers in and around the San Francisco Bay Area for nearly four decades. During this time he also repaired other electronic products with a focus on radios, which he has collected for over 65 years. Russ provided an insightful overview of the Hammond Organ and the Lowrey Organ products beginning in the 1930s as well as the Hammond Clock Company’s innovations that led to producing electronic organs. 

 Big George Webley was a beloved voice over the BBC for many years who often included many of his own incredible musical experiences in his late night radio program. As a session bassist, George played for recordings, television and the movies. As a composer, he wrote for many BBC broadcasts in London. His many friends included Frank Zappa, for whom he performed with on several occasions. Among the very interesting views Big George provided in his NAMM Oral History interview, he outlined what he thought were some of the most significant changes in the industry since he first began his career in the 1960s. Sadly, Big George passed away suddenly less than a month after his NAMM interview. He was just 53 years old.