Oral History -
Steven Ambrose first started liking country music after hearing Johnny Cash through headphones during a recording session. This prompted him to develop a toll that could be used by all musicians to get the same sound. The result was the first set of in ear monitors – something that the music industry would learn to love and not be able to live without.
Mark Amentt was brought into the music products industry to help direct the then, newly established AIMM group, to better serve its members. The group soon grew as did its noted annual meetings, which take place the day before the Anaheim and Summer NAMM Shows begin.
Jim Anastasi served as the trumpet tester for the King Band Instrument factory in Cleveland, Ohio for nearly 40 years. While testing some 200 instruments a day, Jim also had dozens of students each week, many who met him at Stebal's Music for their lessons, as well as playing out. His professional playing career began when he was a teenager and continued into his 90s!
Jon Andersen has enjoyed playing music nearly his entire life. A jazz saxophonist, Jon played in a number of small and large bands over the years and found work with several noted musicians in and around his neighborhood, Santa Barbara. When he was approached by his longtime friend Nick Rail, to assist with his band instrument business, Jon jumped at the opportunity. For ove
Charles Anderson displayed his love for music education beginning at a young age. In fact, he was hired at the age of 15 to teach while he was still in high school. Over the years he expanded into group music lessons such as the work he has done with Yamaha over the years. As Director of Keyboard Encounters for Yamaha Music Education Systems, Charles was able to continue wha
Mike Anderson remembers hanging out with his best friend in the 8th grade and hearing him play an original song. Mike was hooked and wanted to focus on music and worked on it every day.
Scott Anderson was among the renowned sales representatives at Wurlitzer during the iconic company’s heyday. When Wurlitzer “meant music to millions” (to use their famous slogan) Scott had established long-lasting relationships with many of the top selling dealers for the company. 1954 was the first of 34 years with the company and since that time Scott remains one of the most respected and known reps in the industry. In 2003, Scott teamed with several other former Wurlitzer employees
Ian Anderson grew up in England during the 1960s and had a long list of guitar heroes who inspired him to play music. However, he found the power of people like Eric Clapton to be disconcerting, as young Ian felt inferior next to such guitar gods.
Kurt Anderson, along with his sister and brother, took over the music publishing company formed by their parents and more importantly kept the flame of their father’s extraordinary music legacy alive and well. In 2009, upon the centennial of Leroy Anderson’s birth, Kurt wrote several articles and helped produce a documentary seen on PBS about his father’s life in music.
Muriel Anderson sure puts her heart and soul into her music as both a performer and songwriter. Over the years the music products industry has been lucky to be closely associated with Murial thanks to her endorsement of instruments and accessories as well as her widely successful All Star Guitar Nights, a feature at NAMM Shows since 2000.