Oral History Interviews

Fredy Shen worked closely with Remo Belli becoming a Vice President in the Remo Corporation. Mr. Shen oversaw the expansion of the company’s manufacturing overseas. The relationships that he helped develop were vital in the company’s global marketing growth for over 30 years.  In addition, Mr. Shen always felt that there is no substitute for hard work and honesty, qualities clearly evident in his long and successful career in the music products industry.  

Hugo Schreiber along with his brother and father formed the W. Schreiber Music Company in Germany in 1946. In very difficult post war years, Hugo oversaw the expansion of the market and guided the company’s import and export business. He served as president of the company when it was taken over by Tolshan Musical Instruments in 1968 and in the 1980s by Boosey & Hawkes. Even during these changes in ownership, Hugo saw to it that the core values of the company did not change. In the early 2000s the company regained its name and built a new factory in Markneukichen, Germany. For

Joachim Schneider proudly continues in the family tradition of hand crafted instrument making. His great grandfather was a violin builder as was his grandfather. His grandfather and father also became guitar luthiers. Joachim was taught by his grandfather and specialized in building professional level classical guitars. He took over the shop when his grandfather passed away in 1962 and soon fostered relationships with distributors who brought Joachim’s instruments into the global market. Since this time he has handed down the craft of instrument making to his two sons.  

Rudy Schlacher has become of the great businessmen of the music products industry, which is incredible considering his humble beginnings. With an idea of detail, customer service and the budget, Rudy took his small music retail store called the Sound Post in Chicago and expanded the business. He took on distribution and later manufacturing by purchasing the historic line of Washburn Guitars. He continued to build his business while never forgetting his early days as a stock boy. In addition to building fine brand names and musical products, Rudy has been a strong supporter of the

Vern Schafer joined the family business of moving pianos as a teenager, but had the dream of running his own piano store. While still running the Schafer Piano Movers Company, Vern set out to learn all he could about the ins and outs of the piano retail business. Soon after opening Colton Pianos, in the southern California town of Colton, Vern was able to expand, opening other locations. In the process, Vern wanted to train his employees to be able to run and manage the stores so that he could continue to run the moving company as well as other ideas he had.

John Santuccio was a noted orchestra manager, and also spent time as President of the music publishing company, G. Schirmer. John’s deep passion for classical music was a key factor in his success with the New York Philharmonic as well as the Rochester Symphony. His long association with the Eastman School of Music furthered not only his reputation as a leader in music education, but established him as well respected instructor. Following Ed Murphy’s departure from G. Schirmer, John became President of the noted publishing company and oversaw many projects, including the arduous t

Jim Rupp has had a passion for drumming as far back as he can remember. As a percussionist for several traveling groups in the 1970s such as those led by Maynard Ferguson and Woody Herman, Jim recognized the need for a pro drum shop in which the musician customers are addressed on their level. He established Columbus Pro Percussion and carved out a unique market in the area focusing on what he knew best. Jim has also been active within the industry, serving on the NAMM Board and for the Percussive Arts Society.  

Dave Rossum is an engineer, inventor, and synthesizer pioneer whose innovations helped define modern electronic instrument design. After earning a degree in molecular biology from Caltech and beginning graduate studies at UC Santa Cruz, Dave discovered his true passion when introduced to a Moog Modular Synthesizer—an experience that led him, along with longtime friend Scott Wedge, to found E-mu Systems in 1970.

Bud Ross made his first amplifier for his own band in 1958 to save a little money. Within 5 years he had established Kustom Amps, a leader in product design and innovations. The powerful speakers within the amps were as much a selling point to rock and rollers as the tuck and roll design of the cabinet. The success of the amplifiers allowed Bud to focus on other products for which he was equally innovative such as radar and car monitors for law enforcement. Bud formed Ross Musical, Road Amps and Birdview among many ventures in and out of the music industry.  

Liane Rockley gained a degree in flute performance in New York before moving to Denver, where she taught music at a local music store. The storeowner, Bob Rockley, who would become her father-in-law, suggested that she work in the band department of the store to better understand the music business. Today Liane is Vice President of Rockley Music along with her husband, and has been an active participant in the music industry. Liane has been a strong supporter of industry groups such as RPMDA and serves on the NAMM Board of Directors.  

Jimmy Rivers was known in the world of Western Swing as an innovative guitarist who played a double neck and brought to life a hard driving style known as the Brisbane Bop.  Jimmy was a cowboy-type, playing hard and working even harder at his craft as a performer.  He was easy-going and low-key, until he strapped his guitar on and got in front of a band.  His style was an influence on many up and coming players who cited Jimmy for his unique ideas in chord changes and speed.  Shortly before his passing in 2003, his classic album The Brisbane Bop was released on CD, bringing his mu

Layton V. Rawlins was the founder of Rawlins Piano Company in Southern California and a veteran of the piano industry. Layton witnessed many of the biggest changes within the piano business over his 50 plus year career. He was always proud of the strong friendships within the industry that he developed, even among his competitors.  As he often conveyed, he felt lucky to have been able to do something he loved, which was simply providing music into the lives of his customers.  

Peter Pulham had a distinct place in the history of the music products industry, in part because he helped preserve it! As publisher and editor of United Kingdom based Music Business magazine (together with Sandie Smith) in the 1980s and 1990s, Peter reported on the news of the day in the pages of his trade magazine. Those editions now stand as a valuable resource documenting the growth and development of the British music industry from the 1980s onward. Peter donated back issues and original photographs from his publishing career to the NAMM Resource Center’s archival Collection

Allen Prather, was known throughout the industry as Lowell, became a well-respected sales rep for the Kaman Corporation. He stayed with the company for over thirty years and helped move the company into markets such as Arizona. Lowell has developed friendships among his dealers over his long career, something he always felt was the result of being honest and believing in the products he was selling. He introduced the Ovation Guitar into several markets and took pride in being associated with the Kaman family.  

Gordon Pfund spent his life in the music industry that he loved. At an early age he began working for Werlein For Music in Louisiana and became enamored with the piano and organ market. He was an honorable salesman who put family and music education as key priorities in the way he addressed his customers. Gordon later established Pfund Music Centers and for a time served on the NAMM Board of Directors. His long friendship with Bob Hazard included both men serving as each other’s vice presidents at one time and both working together at Amro Music in Memphis.  

Vicki Pedrini grew up in the family’s music retail store in Southern California. She worked in the store on weekends and summer vacations as well as the holiday season, which brought fun times when the family all worked together. The store had a strong band and orchestra department, as it was located within a few hundred feet of the high school. Vicki worked in every department before taking over the operation of store with her brother Tom. A fan of jazz, Vicki was vital in many in-store performances over the years including local and world-renowned stars such as Joe Pass.

Tom Pedrini and his sister Vicki were third generation music retail owners. Their store, Pedrini’s Music, was located in Southern California and had a long and successful influence on the music community it served for so long. Due to changing times and strong competition, Tom and Vicki made the painful decision to close Padrini’s Music in May 2001. During the last week, Tom and Vicki invited the NAMM Oral History staff to document their history and the sad last hours of the store’s operation. Tom was upbeat recalling the many thousands of their customers who brought music into the

Dave McCumiskey enjoyed a long career as a Music Sales Group manager. He worked for the music publisher from the late 1960s until his retirement in 2008, having seen many of the developments and changes in print music during that time. Before his gig in the industry Dave was one-fifth of the rock band The Liverpool Five. The popular band got its start alongside the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in the heyday of the British rock sound of the early 1960s. In fact, the bands greatest hits are currently available on CD. 

Jack Martin was a leading piano sales rep for Wurlitzer from 1959 until 1963. Although he spent most of his career in the music industry it was those four years that Jack cherishes the most. During the early part of his career with Wurlitzer, Jack took part in the training classes that Wurlitzer provided its staff. These classes are legendary within the industry boasting of attendees who would go on to become leaders throughout the industry. Jack also worked for Aeolian in East Rochester, New York and the Hammond Organ Company. 

Michael Gurian established Gurian Instruments, which was incorporated in 1982, and focused originally on creating specialty tools, parts and decorative wood inlay for musical instrument makers. Since that time the company has expanded its production and methods to serve the needs of multiple industries including furniture makers. Michael is a major supplier of custom parts to guitar manufacturers worldwide and a builder of distinctive steel-strings, which have been used by many instrument companies.  

Walter Carter along with his wife, Christie, formed Nashville's "friendliest guitar store" when they opened Carter Vintage Guitars.  With a last name so well known in country music, you can understand why a beautiful painting of Mother Maybelle Carter adorns the outside wall of the building.  The couple proudly established a store in which men and women can feel welcomed and comfortable, along with a knowledgeable and friendly staff, and inventory that makes most musicians feel like a kid in a candy store.  Walter has also written several books and articles on the history of frett

William Carpenter has an incredible understanding of the music business.  Having developed and marketed a percussion accessory, Bill was hired in 1976 by Remo to assist in sales and product development.  After 12 years working outside the music products industry he then returned to Remo in 1994 as General Manager.  In 1996, in what seems like an unlikely direction, he was hired by Boosey & Hawkes as President of Rico International..  In 2003 he teamed with two other partners to acquire the instrument and accessory division of Boosey & Hawkes and to form The Music Group.

Jerry Carp volunteered as a docent for the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music and helped share the history of the music products industry with countless museum visitors since its opening in 2000. During his years surrounded by musical innovation, Jerry developed a deep interest in the theremin, the first electronic instrument, and studied its background extensively, ultimately becoming the museum’s expert on the subject. Jerry even assembled a kit theremin for the museum’s interactive gallery, allowing visitors to experience the instrument firsthand.

Alex Carozza was an extraordinary craftsman and accordion repair specialist whose reputation drew professional musicians from around the world to his shop, Alex Music, on New York’s famed 48th Street—once known as “Music Row.” Known for his meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of the instrument, Alex was widely respected and beloved among accordionists, many of whom trusted only him with their most valued instruments. After beginning his career at Sam Ash, Alex opened his own shop in the early 1970s, where he spent decades refining his craft.

Brendan Callinan likes to say that everything he owns he obtained because of music. As a rock performer in the highly successful Australian group the Radiators, Brendan played and wrote several of the groups songs. After years on the road he was offered a job as a sales rep for Roland –beginning with half of the country as his territory. After a successful run, the territory was expanded to include the entire country, which Brendan enjoyed for a spell before hiring an assistant. Brendan has also been very active in the Australian music products association overseeing the expansion

Mark Cabaniss always wanted to be in the music business. As a music student graduate and composer he was given that chance while teaching college, when Brentwood Music had an opening. The Nashville-based company’s founder, Jim Van Hook, took Mark under his wing and provided him with guidance that would help lead Mark, first to Hal Leonard to re-create their gospel department and then to Shawnee Press as President. Mark’s love for the industry is apparent in everything he does and his passion for history has been a key element in a number of former Shawnee Press leaders being inclu

Richard Burke worked for the Rickenbacker Guitar Company in Southern California nearly his entire career before retiring in 2004. Over the years he worked in nearly all of the factory positions at Rickenbacker, working his way to plant manager. Dick worked for John Hall and his son assisting both in the assembly of the guitars as well as developing the procedures for tasks that were being affected by technology over the years. 

John Booth has played an enormous role in the development and growth of Roland within the United Kingdom. As President of Roland UK, he has witnessed the expansion of the market in England and assisted in creating the infrastructure to accommodate the growth within the company. As an industry leader, John has provided many contributions to address worldwide industry issues through his participation in the Global Economic Summit.  

Joseph Boonin formed two successful music-publishing companies, which have played an important part in the music products industry. The first of his companies was Joseph Boonin Inc and the second was Jerona. As a leader in the field of research, Joseph added great insight to industry organizations such as the Music Publishing Association (MPA) and the Music Library Association (MLA) of which he has been a member for over 50 years. After selling Jerona he returned to work as a music librarian. Among his most noted jobs was as head of the Recorded Sounds and Images Collection for th

Don Mitchell is a veteran road rep! Having been in the music business most of his working life, Don has called on more dealers than just about any other salesman in the industry. His knowledge of the products and keen relationships have made him a valued and successful promoter of his products as well as music and music making. One of his fond sayings relating to his long career is the biggest change he has witnessed during his career, “two lane highways!”