Simon Jones has a rich background with the guitar, which has come full circle with his role with the Yamaha Guitar Group. As a teenager he played, and even built his own guitar to play wi...

EveAnna Manley grew up around music and played several instruments. Attending college she discovered that she preferred the more mathematical side of music theory after she was introduced...

Bill Hughes is a hero among musical gearheads for his innovative amplifier designs throughout his career.  He was hired into the industry by Jess Oliver (interview class of 2005) at the A...

Bob Rufkahr's long career in the music business began in retail in 1962!  He later moved into wholesale and manufacturing before he formed his own company, Image Marketing in 1980.  Along...

Bob Hackett worked for Ampeg on the company’s amplifiers.  As a professional bass player, Bob was able to provide vital feedback in the design and sound of the bass amps for Ampeg.  Durin...

Gene Fresco was one of the top sales reps of our industry. As a mentor and teacher, he provided real and practical sales methods to countless men and women in and out of the music product...

Jess Oliver was the inventor of the Ampeg Baby Bass, the first electronic upright bass instrument. The fiberglass body and unique design was key to projecting the sound of a double bass i...

Eugene Kornblum’s father formed the famed St. Louis Music Company, which played a legendary role in the music products industry during most of the 1900s. As President beginning in the 196...

Chubby Jackson was the 1947 Down Beat magazine’s reader poll winner for the best bassist of the year. When the Kay Music Company of Chicago told Chubby that they would be presenting him w...