Vietnam War

Gene Brown joined the Ovation Guitar Company within the first year of the company’s establishment in 1966. After serving in the United States Army during Vietnam, Gene was immediately offered a job in the shipping department. The Ovation Guitar Company is located in New Hartford, Connecticut, and was founded by Charles Kaman. Mr. Kaman pioneered several designs and guitar innovations such as the round back fiberglass guitar. Gene was among the first to participate in the production and shipping of the Ovation Guitar. Gene worked in various positions over the years, most recently i

Earl Bryant has enjoyed a long career in the music business with a good many years related to artists within the Motown family.  As a concert manager, Earl has worked with Smokey Robinson for many years and has many fond memories of working with the legendary singer and songwriter performing all over the world.  Earlier in his career, Earl worked with Motown founder Berry Gordy, who Earl refers to as the Chief.    

Bob Carbone is the co-founder of the Piano & Organ Center in Syracuse, New York. The store has a reputation for their quality products as well as creative lesson programs, which are offered to all of their customers. Bob entered the music industry with a letter he wrote while in the US Army to music retailer Bob Popyk, who not only hired the soon to be discharged soldier but met him at the airport upon his return to New York. The two worked together for 11 years before Bob Popyk sold his store to take his own musical career in a new direction.

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

Steve Eastwood grew up in New Jersey and discovered his love for the trumpet in the fourth grade, playing all the way through high school. In addition to the school band and marching bands, he performed with friends in a local group humorously called The Psychotic Blues Band. While studying engineering at Cornell University, Steve kept music close by performing and attending unforgettable concerts, including seeing Joni Mitchell in the early 1970s.

Larry Fresch has worked by day as a sales manager for piano and organ companies and by night as an accomplished saxophone player and singer in Southern California. He grew up in Sandusky, Ohio, where his father had a music retail store. Young Larry began playing the accordion before switching to the saxophone at the age of ten. He enlisted in the United States Navy and attended the Navy Music School in Washington, DC. Larry performed on many Goodwill Tours including those for wounded soldiers returning home from Vietnam.

John Griffith, known as J-Cat, began his musical journey in his hometown of Carlsbad, California, when he received his first guitar in sixth grade. Inspired by the surf music craze of the 1960s and deeply influenced by Dick Dale—who later became a close friend and frequent stage partner—John went on to form several bands, including The Nobles, Freedom, and North Star. The Nobles were standouts in the 1965–66 KCBQ Battle of the Bands, while North Star, formed in 1973, continues to perform across San Diego County at fairs, clubs, reunions, and weddings.

Dr. John Hanbery joined the school band in the fourth grade in his hometown of Greenwood, Mississippi. He was encouraged and inspired by his band director, which is a strong reason why he perused the profession after attending Old Miss. Dr. Hanbery went on to teach in the Madison Country school district as a band director as well as serving as band director at Mississippi College in Clinton. To pay it forward and to pass on the gift of encouragement given to him, Dr. Hanbery often provided private lessons for one dollar to those who could not afford the full price.

Buddy Harman Jr. followed in the footsteps of his legendary father, Buddy Harman, one of the most influential studio drummers in Nashville history. Since his father’s passing in 2008, Buddy Jr. and his brother, Murrey, were active in several projects and programs that furthered the legacy of their father, who was also interviewed for the NAMM Oral History program back in 2004. Buddy Jr. also reviewed and endorsed several innovative percussive products over the years, attended many NAMM shows and was a strong supporter of our Oral History program.

Bob King worked at Hal’s Music in Mountain View, California after returning from Vietnam in the early 1970s.  He was introduced to the wholesaling side of the industry and soon gained a job as a rep for Coast Wholesale.  He stayed with the company for over 20 years and was there when Kaman Music purchased the company.  He remained with Kaman as Marketing Director until the year 2000, then moving to Jupiter Band Instruments as VP of Operations.  Currently he is serving at Mighty Bright as Sales Manager.  Along the way Bob visited many, many music stores providing products and indus

Dorothy Morrison loves sharing her musical journey, one deeply rooted in faith and family. Raised in Oakland, California, her father, a pastor, and her mother, a missionary, nurtured Dorothy and her nine siblings in the church, where their mother taught them hymns. The siblings performed together as the Young Comb Children, gaining local recognition. By her teenage years, Dorothy’s powerful voice caught the attention of Edwin Hawkins, who invited her to join his choir. In 1967, she sang lead on the iconic gospel hit “Oh Happy Day,” which became a chart-topping anthem of hope durin

Larry Moudy sang and played guitar for the musical group Up With People beginning in 1967. After being drafted and serving in the Vietnam War with the 101st Airborne, he returned to the group to sing, perform, and help manage the tours. In 1975, he was hired by Fender during the CBS years and later played an important role in the company’s rebirth in the early 1980s under the leadership of Bill Schultz. In addition to serving as sales manager for the U.S.

Rich Neville spent his life making music and, for decades, helped others achieve their musical dreams. He was a touring musician who later built a career in music retail, never letting go of the passion he first discovered as a kid in the school band playing trombone. He gigged in rock bands on bass, and after a stint in the U.S. Army, began setting up PA systems for Sound West in San Diego. That opportunity led to engineering and playing jobs, including running sound for Return to Forever in 1974.

Jack Redmond began playing the trombone at the age of nine, thanks largely to his mother’s support, who herself played the C-Melody Horn in movie theaters for Silent Films. Jack played throughout school and during his Air Force career, then soon hit the road touring with a number of Big Bands during the great swing era. He was in the bands of such leaders as Les Elgart, Claude Gordon, Jerry Gray, Sy Zentner (yes he played on Sy’s biggest hit “Up a Lazy River”) as well as Les Brown and His Band of Renown. Jack was with the Brown band for over 40 years and toured with them and Bob H

Tim Roethler found his calling during his service in the US Army, where he played saxophone in the army band. Recognizing the importance of instrument repair, Tim honed his skills in woodwind and brass repair after his military service. Trained by the renowned Morris Oldham at Musician Repair Services, Tim became a key figure at Paige’s Music, where he ran the repair shop for over 45 years. Even after his retirement, his dedication remains evident, as he continues to lend his expertise in woodwind and brass repairs, ensuring instruments stay in optimal condition for musicians of a

Howie Schwartz has had a passion for music and sound since he as a kid, which landed him in the Eastman School of Music playing bassoon. After his time in school, Howie worked as a DJ at a local radio station. He was drafted and continued his DJ career working being the iron curtain in Berlin, Germany. Following his military service, Howie moved to Los Angeles and became an audio editor, first for Mel Blanc and then for Wally Heider. He started his own studio in 1975 and worked with many artists including The Wrecking Crew, Neil Young, KISS, The Rolling Stones, and many more.

Jim Semeizer started playing saxophone when he was a kid and went on the road with the Les Brown Orchestra in 1962 for two and a half years. He learned repairs from his father, who was a watchmaker. The mechanics of instruments came easy to Jim and provided a career path. That career was put on hold when he was drafted and served in the army during the Vietnam War. Upon his return home, Jim worked on and off for his father before landing retail jobs at Brook Mays Music in Texas and later at Shoemaker Music in Florida. Those experiences cemented in Jim’s mind his interest in runnin

John Stavish and his sister took over the music company their parents established in the early 1950s.  John recalls the first milestone of the business was when it moved out of the family home into a real store front.  Over the years, he has been instrumental in growing the product line as well the customer base, which John feels is based on relationships.  In addition to running the store, John has played in the local opera, ballet, and symphonies for many happy years.

Archie “Hubby” Turner served in the US Army during the Vietnam War and always felt the experience taught him, among other things, to appreciate the opportunity you have to add beauty and music to the world.  Archie has done just that as a session player in Memphis, including at Hi Records.  His impressive career as a pianist, keyboardist and composer has included working with Al Green, Paul Butterfield, Syl Johnson and Ann Peebles.  Archie, known as Hubby, also helped form the Bo-Keys in Memphis.  The Bo-Keys recorded several hit songs including “Work That Skirt” in 2009 and “I Ne

Mike Vaccaro is a true piano salesman veteran! Having worked in the piano business for over 40 years, selling for several retail stores and running his own dealership for over 20 years, Mike has sold his share of instruments! He played guitar in the US Navy Band during the Vietnam War era and among many performances played for the opening of Disney World in Florida. In 1971, with the encouragement of his pal Joe Di Fio, Mike began selling pianos. He worked in Syracuse, New York at Clark’s Music before moving out of the snow to Nelson’s Music in Kansas. It was there that Mike built

Dusty Wheeler served as a medic in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. After the war he attended college all the while playing guitar and giving lessons. In 1979 he opened Dusty’s Guitars in Leucadia, California with just four instruments on the wall and an amp (with two of the guitars and the amp belonging to Dusty)! The store grew as did his lesson program and repair shop. His reputation grew as well and in 1983 he moved up to Oceanside.

Peter Yarrow was the Peter in the wildly successful popular folk music trio Peter, Paul, and Mary. During his often musical NAMM Oral History interview, Peter spoke of the role music played during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, as well as the anti-war movement during the Vietnam War. The inspiration of Pete Seeger was clearly at the core of his love for folk music and he recalled his great job when Mr. Seeger recorded music Peter had written. His songs were also performed by Peter, Paul and Mary, including two of their big hits, "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "Day is Done."