Aretha Franklin

H.B. Barnum started his life off as a child actor, staring in TV shows such as the Jack Benny Show and the Amos n Andy Shows. Throughout his life, however, he had a fascination with the piano. He went on to own his own record label, Little Star Records. Since then, he has been working as an arranger and producer for musicians such as Frank Sinatra and Aretha Franklin. 

David Hood is the co-founder of Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Alabama.  The studio was formed in 1969 when four session musicians left Frame Studios to create their own recording studio.  The four, Jimmy Johnson, Roger Hawkins, Barry Beckett and David, were first a well-known rhythm section that backed the likes of Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett.  David’s bass playing can be heard on “Tell Mama” by Etta James, “Take a Letter Maria” by RB Greaves, “Loan Me a Dime” by Boz Scaggs and “I’ll Take You There” by the Staple Singers.  David was honored for his long career in music by

Quincy Jones! How can you write a few sentences to describe Quincy Jones? His long and amazing career in music has produced the soundtrack to many of our own life experiences and his drive to create and innovate has benefited music lovers around the world! It is such an honor to have captured some of his thoughts about music and music-making for our collection and even more of an honor to work with him on educational and advocacy programs! We are grateful to all of those who helped us complete this incredible interview and to Quincy for the music and the inspiration!  

Jason Miles is the musician and composer who took advantage of the developing synthesizer technology in the 1970s and 80s to create unique sounds for such artists as Chaka Khan, Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin.  In the 1980s, Jason played an important role within New York recording studios by programming keyboards and synthesizers for Marcus Miller, among other performers.  Jason also wrote for film and television throughout his career.

Jonathan Mover began playing drums at age 13, being inspired by the music he heard on the radio. While his career included playing for well-known jingles, winning Grammy’s and producing for artists such as Celine Dion, Shakira, and Rick Ross, it’s his passion for music that most people talk about when they talk about Jonathan Mover!  He once owned and operated Skyline Studios as well as co-owned Swing House Studios, where he has performed and produced for an amazing list of performers including Elton John, Aretha Franklin, and NAMM Oral History interviewees Stu Hamm, Dave Koz and

Floyd Newman is among the most noted studio musicians from the early days of Stax Records in Memphis. As a saxophonist, Floyd became an integral part of the studio band at Stax Records known as the Mar-Keys.  He was also a member of the famed Memphis Horns group, which was formed by Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love.  Floyd’s professional career began as a member of BB King’s band in the late 1940s and included tour and recording dates with the likes of Jackie Brenston and Sam Cooke.  On record, Floyd can be heard playing behind Booker T. & the MGs, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Is

Spooner Oldham was a studio musician down in Muscle Shoals, Alabama before becoming a noted songwriter. Spooner's keyboard skills can be heard on such classic records as "You'd Better Move On" and several songs with Aretha Franklin including the Wurlitzer introduction on "Never Loved a Man the Way that I Love You." Spooner teamed with fellow songwriter Dan Penn to write "I'm Your Puppet", "Cry Like a Baby", and "Lets Do It Over".