Oral History - all
Robb Lawrence loves playing the guitar as well as gathering the history of his instruments. He has written books and articles for magazines, including Guitar Player and has provided lectures and college classes mostly based on his deep interest in the early days of the electric guitar. Over the... more
Ray Russell is the noted English studio musician and composer who has also performed with a number of bands over his long career including the prog rock group Mouse. His guitar can be heard on hundreds of records with such artists as David Bowie, Gil Evans and Roxy Music. Working with Sir George... more
Sharon Sagar is the daughter of Paul Barth, the founder of Bartell Guitars. Paul started his guitar and bass manufacturing factory in Riverside, California, in 1964. As a teenager, Sharon worked in the factory in the summers and enjoyed getting to know the other dedicated employees who impressed... more
Chris Martirano started working for Kurzweil Music Systems in 1986. For the first few years he was on the sales side of the equation, originally the district sales manager for the northeastern U.S., then promoted to regional manager for all states east of the Mississippi River in 1988. Later he... more
Steve Shelokhonov was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and was classically trained on the piano. As a teenager and young adult, Steve played in underground rock clubs in Russia before moving to the United States. He began writing music and attending the NAMM Shows where he was exposed to... more
Leng Tshua has played an important role in the piano industry both in the United States and his home country, Singapore. His passion for music began when he was inspired by his aunt playing the piano. Her enthusiasm and those melodies stayed with young Leng, who went on to take lessons. He entered... more
Gregory Farmer is an enthusiastic, talented, self-taught synthesist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, performer, and producer. He has collected and plays a wide range of electronic and acoustic instruments, and they’re all set up and ready to play in his excellent home studio. Greg’s wife Claudia... more
Jeff Falgien’s passion for the piano and organ can be traced back to the age of six. Before he was a teenager, Jeff was hired to play in front windows of mall music stores to generate interest among the shoppers (this was called front pumping). Over the years he worked for a number of music stores... more
Jeff Fair, the multi-instrumentalist, sound designer, and music producer, specializes in creating soundtracks for movies, TV, and movie trailers. Forbes magazine credited Jeff and his wife Starr Parodi for “reinventing the modern action movie trailer” with their arrangement, production, and... more
Starr Parodi, has actively made beautiful music for the masses in all sorts of venues. As a pianist, synthesist, composer, producer, arranger, and conductor Starr has worked on a bevy of projects with headliners including Carole King, Stevie Wonder, Seal, Mariah Carey, Ray Charles, Whitney Houston... more
Bill Seymour played several instruments in school including the trumpet, drums, and violin. Early in his career he established a software company with a focus on relational databases. He was hired as a consultant to help the team at Pearl Works, which was fitting as he felt a strong bond with any... more
Rene Flores grew up in a culturally rich family and began playing upright bass in grade school. His parents, both from Cuba, encouraged Rene to follow his musical passion. By the time he was in high school he was playing in six bands, including the stage band for which he played the electric bass.... more
Mathew Schirado can tell you the first music store he ever entered. As a kid he went into Eckroth Music in Bismarck, North Dakota, with his parents when he first joined the school band. When he was 18 he returned to purchase some reeds and saw a job opening, which he pursued. Beginning on a part-... more
Daniel Neves is the founder of Música & Mercado (Music & Market), a Brazil-based magazine that focuses on promoting music-making and musical products. His passion for the industry led to his long-time leadership role in the country’s musical trade association Anafirma (the Brazillian Music... more
Phil Burk has had a passion for electronics since he was a kid growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. He built radio circuits before he was a teen and combined that interest with his love of music. He later developed his skills at Mills College Center for Contemporary Music and worked in the... more
Chris Tso is a perfect example of the benefits the music products industry receives when a musician enters it's world. Chris grew up blocks away from the Apollo Theater and the Cotton Club in New York, and absorbed the rich history and diverse cultures that were blended into the music around him.... more
Jeff Sazant began working with his brother, Sheldon, at Steve’s Music in 1967. The Canadian-based music store has played a significant role in the industry and gained a reputation for its innovative and creative staff. For example, it's thought that Jeff came up with the now-famous Top Ten Songs... more
Lynn Martin has always been a passionate music maker, and as a leader of the music products industry, he has brought that same drive to creating and selling products that assist others to make music. Lynn played violin in several bands and had a memorable gig at a cowboy bar in Wyoming where he... more
Deej White is a familiar face to those backstage at the NAMM show. As a long-time roadie and production manager, Deej has learned the importance of being prepared, for example he always has a flashlight on hand to help people on stage. After ten years of serving in the US Navy, Deej spent 15 years... more
John McClure played a vital role in welcoming the NAMM Show to Southern California each year as the National Accounts Manager for the Anaheim Visitors & Convention Bureau. John joined the bureau back in 1989 and always looked forward to the level of fun and energy the show brought. In fact,... more