ISB (International Society of Bassists)

Madeleine Crouch always has an endless amount of energy. In the role of industry association manager, Madeleine took over the company established by Don Dillon, which offers organizational and planning services for a number of music industry associations including RPMDA, ISB and NASMD. Madeleine and her team have helped increase the membership for these organizations and several others outside the music industry. With her guidance and passion for music (she was once the manager of a music store’s sheet music department in Texas) the annual conferences for these groups have also gr

Don Dillon is an industry original! Throughout his 25-plus years in non-profit association management, Don has represented some of the best-known organizations in the music industry, most notably the Piano Manufacturers Association International and National Piano Foundation. Don's love of the business and his management firm team increased the membership and scope of non-for-profit music groups like the Retail Print Music Dealers Association, the National Association of School Music Dealers, International Society of Bassists and American Viola Society.

Murray Grodner, along with his first wife Leah, formed Lemur Music, Inc., a catalog business that specialized in the needs of the Double Bassist. His impressive background as bassist, professor and author was perfect for launching a business career in providing needs of his fellow bassists. He began his orchestral career as Assistant Principal Bassist of the Pittsburgh Symphony, then accepted the Principal Chair with Houston Symphony, followed by four years with the N.B.C. Symphony under Arturo Toscanini.

Rufus Reid spoke eloquently of his musical mentor and friend, Eddie Harris. He recalled the passion for musical innovation that was so much apart of Eddie’s life. Rufus himself is constantly trying to reach out musically to gain something new, just as his role model did. Rufus was a bit modest about the popularity of the influential method books that he has authored over the last 30 years. “The whole reason for writing those books was to help a young bass player. I am proud a few people have used them to make music.”