Oral History -
Noel Lee recognized an opportunity to introduce high quality cables that would consistently provide the top-level audio signals to support high-end instruments and amplifiers. He had studied electrical engineering and at the time was working at Lawrence Livermore Labs in Northern California. By night he played drums in a number of local bands, one of which toured Hawaii.
Charles Lusso was repairing machines for Kodak and then went on the road as a musician for 3 years. When he returned Tony D’Andrea asked if he would help with some of the machines in the company. His sister, Rosemary D’Andrea, had married into the famous guitar pick family.
Denise Gallant designed a video-audio synthesizer that was years ahead of its time. Her love of visual art and music blended perfectly together when she and her husband, Kevin Monahan, formed their production company Video 4. She has worked with Peter Rodgers and at Zoom Audio and fell in love with video production.
Kevin Monahan began working at E-MU in 1980, at a very exciting time for synthesizer development. The sample boom was in full swing and Kevin enjoyed the opportunity to work on several innovative products. After twenty years with the company, Kevin joined forces with his wife, Denise Gallant, in establishing their own production company entitled Video 4.
Bryan Ottens began playing piano at an early age and studied music at William Paterson University. His first job in the industry was in the stock room at Victor’s House of Music, where he soon discovered his love of selling. Over time he found himself more and more on the sales floor and later left the stock room to sell keyboards and pro audio equipment.
Greg Herreman became the Front of House engineer at the Backdoor Club in San Diego while still in college. The venue attracted nationally known performers, which was a perfect training ground for Greg, who worked there from 1973-1978. He also worked sound for television programs and live events such as the San Diego Folk Festival and the 1984 Olympics.
Claudio Cecere grew up in the music store his father established in Southern Australia. He learned to play drums at an early age and started giving music lessons while still in school. His part time job with the store expanded and he soon realized he wanted to make a career of it, working side by side with his father.
Joe Cecere established a small music school in 1967 in Southern Australia. As a teacher, he wanted to provide a safe and welcoming place for students at all levels to learn and appreciate music. Joe often provided meals for his students and even drove them to and from school so they wouldn’t miss their music lessons.
Ed Eagan was strongly encouraged and inspired by his music teachers growing up including his high school orchestra instructor who flamed Ed’s love of making music. While studying oboe, piano and composition in college, Ed was introduced to the developing technology behind electronic musical instruments.
Mike Dorfman was introduced to the industry with his design of a special polish for drums. In 1990, he opened Trick Drums, getting the name from his love of cars and how a super enhanced car would be “tricked out.” Mike designed an all-metal snare drum which later expanded to bass drums, toms and pedals.