Hohner Inc.

Wallace Coleman played blues harmonica with the legendary Robert Lockwood Jr. as well as forming his own groups during his long career.  His creative style can be heard on live and studio recordings with Robert Lockwood and on his own albums, all of which include at least a few songs he wrote.  For years, Wallace has been playing and endorsing the Hohner Harmonica, which has featured his image in their print ads and packaging.

Scott Emmerman began taking guitar lessons in his hometown of Chicago when he was five years old. As a musician he toured and recorded with different bands and landed some great gigs, including, ironically enough, as a Boss demo artist at the 1979 NAMM show!  He later was hired by Roland as a sales rep and took a territory in the south-east.

Rick Estrin and Charles Baty started playing blues together and decided to form a group in 1976.  They brought in two other players and called themselves Little Charlie & the Nightcats.  They began touring and soon began to feature at many of the top blues festivals.  Ten years later they cut their first album, ALL the Way Crazy, which featured several of the band’s best known songs including "Suicide Blues," "Poor Tarzan" and "When Girls Do It.” When Charles decided to come off the road, Rick continued the great traditions that they formed together.  In 2009, the band name wa

Jerry Goldenson has always had a love for music growing up and has many fond memories of playing drums in clubs and weddings as early as 12 years old. He later toured and recorded with many bands over the years but found a home in the music industry in a retail music store as his day job at Pianos N’ Stuff Music. That was the start of a musical journey that married his business acumen and education with his love of music. As with many of our leaders, working in retail was only the beginning.

Frank Huang joined the Hohner Harmonica Company along with his brother, famed Chinese performer Cham-Ber Huang, to design a specialized harmonica. Frank’s understanding of the developmental process of musical instruments and his vast knowledge of relations between China and the United States led to the establishment of Huang International in Long Island, New York. The company has gained a reputation for pioneering Chinese exports with strong and consistent quality and with respected dealer relations. Frank also worked long and hard to establish fair and long-term commerce and trad

Gabe Ireland joined the Coast Wholesale Company while in high school. After college he continued to work for the company as the rock and roll boom began and the entire industry began to change. He stayed with the company after it was purchased by Kaman Music and worked his way up the corporate ladder. He became the expert on marketing and took great pride in studying the concept, which in many respects, was new to many businesses as a strategy for product sales. Gabe later helped establish KHS America, serving as the company’s first president before his retirement. 

Lazy Lester developed a unique style of blues harmonica playing that has influenced the beginner as well as the professional performer. His early recordings of his own songs led to his long relationship with the Hohner Company. Over the years he developed as a guitarist and played both instruments. During his interview he spoke of his great appreciation for the blues and his respect for those players who came before him. “The greatest way to repay those who came before us and who shared our sound, is to make sure they are not forgotten.”  

Dirk Kommer grew up close to Hohner, where he began his industry career as an apprentice in 1956. Over the years his dedication and passion for the products resulted in advances in duties. He was transferred to South Africa and back to Europe where he became the director of Hohner in London. When the company was sold, Dirk left to form his own company, European Music Company and Tanglewood Guitars. As the guitar popularity grew, Dirk expanded the channels of distributions to cover the entire world.  

Hans-Peter Messner's story begins in Trossingen. After he completed his studies in economics and law, he started working in sales and marketing for his uncle's company, Hohner, which is primarily known for its accordions and harmonicas. Here Hans-Peter gained experience with the Hohner line of electric pianos and digital sound systems. In 1986, Hans-Peter left Hohner and bought into the GEWA company, which at that time produced and distributed violins and cases in Mittenwald, Bavaria.

Marcel Messner grew up surrounded by the sound of music, so it is no surprise that he is now part of the industry himself – the music business runs in his blood! His father, Hans-Peter, already had a distinguished career in the industry. Hans-Peter joined GEWA music in the mid-1980s and took over the company a few years later. Marcel is now also working in the business and is leading the company to new shores as CEO.

Horst Mucha was one of the most recognizable faces within the music products industry. As a past president of Hohner and a pioneer in the expansion of the company’s product line, Horst truly became a legend in the industry. He joined the famous harmonica manufacturer in 1950, becoming the managing director of the Brazilian division just six years later. After managing the Argentina subsidiary, Horst began his long and successful career with Hohner USA in 1960. During his first decade in America, he restructured dealer relations and revamped how it was being handled within the comp

Mickey Raphael grew up with a passion for music and was recruited to play sousaphone and tuba in his high-school marching band. While this was his excuse to get out of gym class, Mickey realized his love for music and gravitated towards playing the harmonica. He was deep into the folk scene in Dallas, TX and drew great inspiration from Canned Heat, The Lovin' Spoonful and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band just to name a few. Since the harmonica was a prominent instrument in folk music, Mickey had no problem getting gigs and playing many shows. He started playing with Willie Nelson i

Bill Walden began playing harmonica at the age of 11. He joined a few harmonica groups in the from the 1930s through the 1950s, which were very popular, especially in night clubs. One such group was called the Harmonica Rascals. He toured with the group throughout the United States for many years and later settled in Los Angeles where he ran a janitorial company.

Mr. Laurie Westell was just 21 years old when he began working in the music products industry. He was hired by Hohner to deliver harmonicas around London. He enjoyed the job, rising in the company to become sales manager. He was sent on the road and represented the company during a period of growth, both expanding into new countries as well as developing the product line. He later worked with the Siel wholesaler in Italy and branched out on his own as music wholesaler. Even after his retirement, Laurie is remembered fondly throughout the industry.  

Arthur Lee Williams was only five years old when his uncle brought over a harmonica for him as a gift.  Arthur took to the harmonica right away and made his career playing it and singing the blues.  While recording with Sonny Boy Williamson, Arthur learned to create new sounds as Sonny Boy did and to express himself by writing his own songs.  Over the years Arthur has performed and recorded with many of the top blues musicians including Elmo James and Boo Boo Davis.  Arthur appeared in print ads for Hohner Harmonicas and other musical products over the years.  

Arthur Lee Williams was only five years old when his uncle brought over a harmonica for him as a gift. Arthur took to the harmonica right away and made his career playing it and singing the blues. While recording with Sonny Boy Williamson, Arthur learned to create new sounds as Sonny Boy did and to express himself by writing his own songs. Over the years Arthur performed and recorded with many of the top blues musicians including Elmore James and Boo Boo Davis. Arthur also appeared in print ads for Hohner Harmonicas and other musical products over the years.