Carnegie Hall

Stewart Blatt comes from a rich musical heritage, with his grandfather being a band director and euphonium player and his mother a professional singer and choir director. This deep connection to music paved the way for Stewart’s accomplishments, including a degree in music education from Bowling Green University. His ability to connect with band directors and understand their unique needs led him to a successful role as a road representative for Willis Music in 2008. His career trajectory continued upward when he became the business manager for Buddy Roger’s Music, which, in an un

Rick DePiro fell in love with music when he first decided to play the organ at the young age of 10, getting his first official gig just a few years later playing the electric piano in his community church and started to tour at the age of 20 as a keyboard player, pianist, organist and singer-songwriter. Playing in venues like the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and the White House top some of Rick’s favorite memories as his time as a gigging musician.

Sam Eisenman grew up in New York during the heyday of the Big Bands and BeBop.  As an ardent music fan he saw many of the great Big Bands, including Benny Goodman's Orchestra in 1938 at Carnegie Hall!  In retirement, Sam spent over 15 years teaching children to read in the Carlsbad School District. It was during that time that he heard about the docent volunteer program at the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music. As a volunteer he assiduously studied to prepare himself for any and every question a visitor might ask.  His vast musical background prior to his arrival gave him a

Lauren Haas Amanfoh started answering phones at age three and began writing rental contracts at age 10. She grew up in a music store, and went on to receive her degree from Ohio State University. She professionally performs on the French horn at major venues such as Carnegie Hall, and is now the president of Royalton Music Center. You may have seen her providing information for NAMMU at the Idea Center during the NAMM Shows as she often provides help to those within the industry trying to grow their business.  

Lorin Hollander is a world-renowned concert pianist with a continuously acclaimed 50-year international career that began with a Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 11. Lorin was an infant child prodigy who composed music at age three and performed Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier at five. Since then, he has appeared as guest soloist with virtually every major symphony orchestra in the world and is a veteran of over 2,500 performances: orchestral, recital, lecture/recital, chamber music - as well as symphony and choral conductor. Mr.

Herb Holt thoroughly enjoyed his life in music, both as a musician and as a sales rep!  In 1968 he formed the Music Marketing Company to represent the Ovation Guitar line in Minnesota.  The company quickly expanded to cover a long list of products for retail stores Herb called on in and around Minnesota.  These product lines included Martin Guitars, Slingerland Drums, Young Chang Pianos and Paiste Cymbals.  Before, during and after his rep career, Herb played music.  As a pianist for a jazz group, he played at Carnegie Hall where the band garnered the Nat King Cole Trophy in the 1

Glen Kersten and his wife had just been married when they rented a small house that turned out to be owned by Frank Lohnes. Mr. Lohnes also owned a music store called Dearborn Piano & Organ. Glen joined the sales team and was introduced to the Rodgers Organ, an instrument he would remain connected with for nearly 60 years. He became the top salesman for Rodgers in the 1960s and later moved into the role of Eastern Regional Sales Manager before serving as manager of the Engineering Division. He worked closely with the company’s co-founders, President Rodgers Jenkins and chief e

Kaki King first heard the Ovation Guitar being played by her father. It was one of his prized instruments and young Kaki was not allowed to play with it without him. He later gave that instrument to her, which she used in a few of her recordings and live performances as a professional musician. That guitar also was the inspiration for the Adamas 1581 Kaki King signature model Ovation. Her innovative style has only been matched by the innovative ways in which she uses the guitar in her performances, such as the Neck Is Bridge to the Body series in which she projects images and movi

Will McFarlane has proudly traveled the world touring with some of the biggest names in music as a journeyman musician. He toured with Bonnie Raitt in the 1970s, which was a wonderful experience considering his love of the Blues and all of the great iconic players who would join her on stage. Will also has made his mark in the recording studios, serving as a studio musician at Muscle Shoals Sound for over 20 years. He recorded with the likes of Etta James, Little Milton, Johnny Taylor and Bobby “Blue” Bland who described the type of tasty guitar fills he wanted Will to play as “lo

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Jess Stacy was a very early jazz pianist, starting his career in 1918 and playing with many of the early pioneers of jazz as well as the most popular band leaders during the swing era. Jess joined Benny Goodman's orchestra in 1935 and was on stage for the famous Carnegie Hall Jazz concert on January 16, 1938. It was a critical moment for the acceptance of jazz in the elite New York social circles and forever changed the landscape of jazz audiences. He rem

Stéphane Wrembel was born and raised not far from where the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt once lived. He feels this proximity played a significant part in his profound connection with Django, although the two musicians never met. Beginning as a child, Stéphane loved music, learning the piano and guitar and being influenced by Pink Floyd, among other iconic rock bands. While learning the blues, he discovered the delicate nuances of Django’s musicianship and simple yet intricate compositions. On his quest to learn all he could about this magical musician, Stéphane met Django’