Sound Reinforcement

David Angress has spent his career in the technology and specialty products markets, holding several senior executive positions in retail, manufacturing and installation segments at companies including Guitar Center, Harman, and Sound Genesis. Angress was an essential member of the core group of senior executives at Guitar Center during its most significant growth period, which launched the company to its current position as the largest pro audio and musical instrument retailer in the U.S.  He played a pivotal role in the development of its merchandising, marketing and private lab

Bob Casey enjoyed a long career in pro audio and radio. It all began when he was four years old when he saw the large sound cones on his father’s truck. His father formed Edward P. Casey’s Sound System Company and became one of the early inventors of PA (Public Address) systems in New York. Over the years Bob’s father created the sound systems for many of the Catholic churches in the city as well as for Yankee Stadium. Bob formed his own company creating sound systems for night clubs and studios in New York and on occasion would work with his father on larger projects such as when

Roman Dernowski is a music industry professional whose career bridges performance, pro audio, and international music retail. Raised in Kazakhstan, Roman grew up surrounded by music, inspired by his father, a renowned classical violinist who performed widely and introduced him to both classical and rock music. This early exposure, including attending live concerts, helped shape Roman’s passion for sound and technology. As a young musician and student, Roman developed a strong interest in pro audio, mixing sound for events and clubs while pursuing his education, including earning a

Benny Englund was a rock and roll singer as a teen when he fell in love with the music industry!  He toured with groups as a roadie and sound engineer.  He also worked for a time for a few record companies and traveled with groups such as the Hollies with Graham Nash and the Rolling Stones.  Benny opened the first music store in Sweden to sell amplifiers and had his own management company at the same time.

Tom Haggerty grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota where he learned to play the guitar.  He gigged for many years on the road, which at one point took him to Nashville where he wrote songs and performed.  However, he missed home and decided to return to Rapid City where he opened a music store which today has three locations and involves his two brothers.  Tom still gigs, in fact he is the musical director for his church!

Bob Heil received his first break into the pro audio market when the Grateful Dead’s sound system was not available for a concert date. Bob’s own powerful system was used, and a new name for speakers and microphones was born into the world. Several of his innovative products, including sound systems, control units, and amplifiers, have forever changed the quality of audio products. His books on sound systems and lighting are used as field guides for a generation of techies and roadies.

Klaus Heinz, the CEO of ADAM Audio, grew up with a strong interest in engineering and speaker technology.  In 1999, he teamed with Roland Stenz and established ADAM Audio in Berlin.  The company has gained a strong reputation for products based on the development of the ART (Accelerating Ribbon Technology) tweeter by Klaus which is based on the 1960's invention of the Air Motion Transformer by Oskar Heil, who was largely responsible for the company’s founding. This newly developed tweeter design became the embodiment of a highly defined and authentic sound that is among the most d

Paul Jameson was a pioneer in audio wholesaling as the founder of Custom Products, located in Magnolia, Arkansas.  His company was among the first to sell microphones, PA systems and speakers to music stores.  Over the years the company expanded their product line to include amps, mixers and consoles among other pro audio gear.  For those record buffs, the name Custom Products was based on the label and studio Paul had in Tyler, Texas, called Custom Records.  Both companies use the same logo of a man holding a megaphone, the world's first PA.

Phil Jones grew up in the UK in the 1960s and, like many of his schoolmates, he wanted to be a Beatle!  He played guitar and his first guitar was one he made, and later a bass.  He created his own sound reinforcement company to assist local bands and soon discovered he loved PAs and building studios.  Among his roles within the industry was the chief engineer at Boston Acoustics and establishing Platinum Audio, where he created Air Pulse, the award winning speakers.  He then moved to China for five years where he began the Phil Jones Bass Company.

Buford Jones has thoroughly enjoyed his career as a live sound mixer and FOH engineer for over 50 years. He toured in excess of 47 years with artists such as Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, ZZ Top and Linda Ronstadt, just to name five. Buford pioneered mixing in stereo (in the early 1970s) and later did the same for mixing in surround sound (such as for Pink Floyd’s “Delicate Sound of Thunder”). Buford began his career touring for Showco, where he stayed for ten years before becoming an independent contractor where he was able to work directly with the artists.

Al Kahn, the founder of Electro Voice and the inventor of several important microphone models told a great story on how his company got its name. Mr. Kahn was an industry pioneer and an early supporter of AMC and a NAMM member since the year after the company was formed in 1932! When Mr. Kahn was interviewed for the NAMM Oral History program he recalled his early love of electronics and the story of when football coach Knute Rockne named his company after Al had created a PA system to assist Rochne in coaching. In 1942 he released the first differential microphone and hired Al Wig

Greg Mackie is the engineer who created a number of audio products that came at the perfect time to start a whole new era in sound production.  Mackie Designs helped define the pro audio world beginning in the 1970s with a series of mixers that proved home recordings had a place in the industry.  His first company, Tapco and another focused on EQ production, preceded Mackie Designs and cultivated the staff for Mackie Designs that would create such products as the famed MS 1202 12 channel mixer, the stereo line mixer series and the Thump loudspeakers, to name just three.  Greg rema

John Meyer founded Meyer Sound Laboratory back in 1979 and soon became an important pioneer and innovator in sound reinforcement.  He worked to establish a balance in the sound created by the microphones, signal processors, amps and loudspeakers to produce the desired sound for both live and recording settings.  Over the years John has became the father of such advances in audio as processor-controlled loudspeaker systems as well as self-powered loudspeakers.  He has created sound systems for such performers as Frank Zappa, The Grateful Dead and Creedence Clearwater Revival, among

Stanley Miller received the 2009 Parnelli Audio Innovator Award for his long and successful career in the music and concert production industries. In 1962, he opened a small commercial audio store where he designed sound systems and provided sound for touring acts such as the Smothers Brothers and the Carpenters as they traveled through the Midwest. In 1967, Stanley found himself in Vermillion, South Dakota, working with several artists, including a young singer-songwriter from New York named Neil Diamond. Over the years, Stanley worked with Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, John Denver, and

Lee Moyer began working for Marty's Music in the late 1960s.  When the founder was ready to retire in 1971, Lee and his partner bought the business.  They decided to keep the name and to continue to focus on school band programs as well as building the combo end of the business. Lee played a vital role in the sales of piano and organs as well as servicing the church market within the area of Annville, Pennsylvania, and surrounding communities.  In the early 2000s, Lee's son bought the business and moved into a beautiful building on East Main Street in Annville.

Hartley Peavey was like most kids his age in Mississippi during the mid 1950s--he wanted to be a rock and roll star! In a very real way he did became a rock star, not as a performer but as a manufacturer of musical instruments–beginning with his pioneering guitar amplifier. Equal to a performer’s impact on music, Hartley created unique sounds that revolutionized ROCK AND ROLL! By providing reasonably-priced gear, he allowed a larger and different customer base to become music makers. His contributions began with the Peavey products but continued with his efforts in music education

Alice Phillips met her future husband when she joined a band while in high school.  Dave sought to learn about the technical side of the business while Alice developed a background in the business and accounting end of things.  Together they made for a perfect team and had their sights on opening and running a music store together.  Dave Phillips Music & Sound opened in 1977 and they have been happily working together ever since!  The store has grown to three children, I mean, locations and their love and passion seems just as vital as when they met in high school!

Dave Phillips met his wife in a band he created in high school.  They have been making music ever since and as of 1977 when they opened their retailing business, they have assisted countless others to do the same!  Dave Phillips Music & Sound has three locations in and around Western New Jersey and Allentown, Pennsylvania.  The main concept is simple, serve the customer!  Dave's passion for the industry has resulted in his involvement with several organizations as well as serving on the NAMM Board.  

Alan Rosen sat down for his first interview for the NAMM Oral History program in January 2014.  It was a special occasion as it was Alan’s 30th anniversary of his first show and his 30th winter show, as he has not missed one since first attending!  Capturing this interview was also important for the Oral History collection as we hope to add installments to his interview over the years, tracing his career and his views on the changes to the industry!  Since Alan has been in the music retail industry since he was 15 years old, it’s too bad this was not our second interview with him

Gerald Stanley is without question one of the pioneers in pro audio, working as product engineer for Crown International for several decades.  Over 45 patents have been issued to him over his 45 year career with Crown.  Gerald began working for Crown International, located in Elkhart, Indiana, in 1964.  During his career he played a vital role in the company’s transition from producing tape recorders into power amplifiers and DSP (Digital Signal Processor).  In 2008 Gerald received the AES Fellowship Award for his contributions to the design of power amps and communication systems

Mark Wentling is the CEO and President of Ashly Audio in upstate New York.  As an engineer Mark established himself within the industry as a creative and passionate contributor to such companies as MXR, Fender and the Music Man.  The amp products he worked on in those early days continue to generate respect from engineers who admire his approach to product development.  Mark brought a unique and very musical approach to each of his products and enjoyed being a part of a team, which may provide insight into his success with Ashly Audio.