Oral History Interviews

Mike Neely is a supervisor on the plant floor for the Conn-Selmer factory in Elkhart, Indiana, the very factory he began working in nearly 40 years before.  He began working in the music industry with Selmer in the 1970s and remained with the company in the early 2000s when it merged with its biggest competitor, CG Conn.  Mike enjoys working with other people and working together to solve problems and improve the process.

Richard Sigman was trained on instrument repairs on the plant floor of the Conn-Selmer factory in Elkhart nearly 40 years ago.  He began working in the music industry with the Vincent Bach Company in the 1970s and remained with the company when it was sold to Selmer and again in the early 2000s when it merged to become Conn-Selmer.  Like many of his co-workers in the factory, Richard has served in many areas including buffing and repairs.

Willie Smith was trained on instrument repairs on the plant floor of the Conn-Selmer factory in Elkhart over 30 years ago.  He began working in the music industry with the Vincent Bach Company in the 1970s and remained with the company when it was sold to Selmer and again in the early 2000s when it merged to become Conn-Selmer.  Like many of his co-workers in the factory, Richard has served in many areas including trombone mounting and soldering.

Virgil Storm was trained on instrument repairs on the plant floor of the Conn-Selmer factory in Elkhart over 30 years ago.  He began working in the music industry with the Vincent Bach Company in the 1970s and, like many of his co-workers in the factory, remained with the company when it was sold to Selmer and again in the early 2000s when it merged to become Conn-Selmer.

Roberto Tirado began working in the music industry with William Lewis & Son, the famed violin company out of Chicago.  After studying building and repairs he was given the opportunity to head the string instrument line for Gemeinhardt in Elkhart, Indiana.  For years Roberto has worked to improve the Artisan String lines for Gemeinhardt both in quality of sound and playability.

Dennis Ward takes great pride in the work he does making musical instruments!  He began working in the music industry with Vincent Bach in the 1970s and remained with the company in the early 2000s when it merged to become Conn-Selmer.  In recent years Dennis manages the machines which make parts for the company’s trumpet line including soldering the pistons for the trumpets.

Roger Zehr worked as a trumpet tester for the Vincent Bach brands of horns, beginning when the company was on its own and later when it was purchased by Selmer and when it merged to become Conn-Selmer in 2003.  Bob Hodges was also a trumpet tester for the company who served as Roger’s mentor and teacher for many years following in the long tradition of on-the-job training.  In recent years Roger has become a teacher for newer employees to carry on the tradition and to pass along his own personal passion for the role he plays in our industry.

Gary Morris began working in the music industry with Vincent Bach and stayed with the company when it merged to become Conn-Selmer in the early 2000s.  Gary has worked in several positions within the factory including buffing and repairs.  His skills as a repairman have developed over the years to the point that Gary finds himself in the position to teach the younger employees, just as he was taught when he started working within the industry.

Brad Milliken began working in the music industry with the Vincent Bach Company and stayed with the company when it merged with Selmer and again with Conn.  Brad’s positions within the factory has always been based on handcraftsmanship.  While he was working in the industry during the early days of the computerized machines, his detailed work remains hands on, especially his focus in recent years on the trombone.

David Lowell began working in the music industry with Deford in Elkhart, Indiana with a focus on piccolos.  In 1974 David began working for Gemeinhardt Flute Company and remained with the company past the time of his interview in 2011. 

Kent Hocker earned a music degree in performance at Indiana University before he began working in the music industry.  He joined the Selmer Company of Elkhart in 1977 as a trumpet tester.  Over the years Kent has played a role in the training of other testers, a position he has enjoyed.  He remained with the company in the early 2000s when it merged with its biggest competitor, CG Conn. 

Barbara Havens is proud to point out that her son, who works at Conn-Selmer with her, is the fourth generation within her family who works for the company!  Barbara began working in the music industry with Selmer in the 1970s and remained with the company in the early 2000s when it merged with its biggest competitor, CG Conn.  Brad works in the assembly department at Conn-Selmer with a focus on the trumpet and flugelhorn products.

DeAnne Gordy began working in the music industry with Gemeinhardt in 1989.  The world famous flute and piccolo maker, located in Elkhart Indiana, was established in 1948.  Over the years the company perfected the craft of handmade instruments and today, even with the use of some computerized machines, the role of hand crafted processes is still very much a part of each instrument.  DeAnne has enjoyed her role in making musical instruments and takes pride in the fact that her work goes on to make music!

DJ Rockin Rob, from the Mott Haven section of the Bronx, was spinning records in the early days of Hip Hop, perfecting what has been a very important element to DJing, the art of showmanship!  While spinning the music that he loved, Rockin Rob learned to entertain the audience with tricks and special moves as a DJ such as the incredibly difficult style of needle dropping.  Rob’s warm personality, turntablist skills and extensive rare record collection have been an inspiration to other DJs from all generations, within and outside of the world of Hip Hop.

DJ Jazzy Jay is the pioneering DJ and producer who helped establish Hip Hop as more than a musical form but rather a cultural experience.  He began spinning records in the parks of the Bronx and soon performed in such clubs as the Roxy and Negril before teaming with other DJs.  Jazzy Jay played a vital role in what would become Def Jam Records, not only as a co-founder of the label but he also created the label's first single: “It’s Yours”  with T La Rock as well as “Def Jam” featuring Russell Simmons, Brass Monkey by the Beastie Boys and many more. 

DJ Dr. Duss, known throughout the Hip Hop world as the Mixologist, hails from the Millbrook section of the Bronx. Not only is he known as fellow legend, DJ Hollywood's DJ partner, he also shines uniquely on his own, always seeking to bring a different sound to Hip Hop by focusing on the composition of the music and how the beats and flow intersect with one another while at the same time getting the dancers moving and feeling the music!

DJ Grandmaster Caz is the pioneering DJ also known as the Cassanova Fly who played a role in the early development of Hip Hop in his hometown of the Bronx in New York.  While Caz is best known today as an MC and lyric writer, he began his career in music as a DJ in the parks of New York mixing records to create unique beats and rhythms.  His lyrics can be heard within the first rap hit record called “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugar Hill Gang.  His work has been an influence on several artists over the years and Caz has been awarded several honors including as an inductee into the B

Afrika Bambaataa, known as the godfather of Hip Hop, prefers to be referred to as the "Amen Ra of Universal Hip Hop Culture." He is one of the trinity of DJs known as the founders of Hip Hop. From his home turf of Bronx River, Afrika Bambaataa nurtured the development of Hip Hop culture from it's beginnings to present, across the globe,  establishing Universal Zulu Nation chapters and rocking concerts, parties, jams and raves worldwide. Considered to be one of the first Hip Hop activists, Bambaataa had a hand in uniting the street gangs in the Bronx in a movement toward peace.

Joe Cook began working in the music products industry with Selmer in 1966 with a focus on the saxophone products.  He joined the Gemeinhart Flute Company in 1986 and remained with the famed Elkhart, Indiana firm until the time of his mini interview in 2011.  While working with the Selmer Company, Joe played a role in the assembly, testing and artist relations including getting to work first hand with such performers as Boots Randolph.

Brad Burleson began working in the music industry with Selmer in the 1970s and remained with the company in the early 2000s when it merged with its biggest competitor, CG Conn.  Brad works in the assembly department at Conn-Selmer with a focus on the trumpet and flugelhorn products.

John Bagnall began working in the music industry with the G. Leblanc Company before he began working for Selmer in the 1970s.  He remained with the company in the early 2000s when it merged with its biggest competitor, CG Conn.  John works in the engineering department at Conn-Selmer and like so many factory workers in the industry he is passionate about his work and the level of quality he produces.

Mike Arthurhultz has focused much of his career on the Vincent Bach line of products.  He worked for Selmer in Elkhart before it merged with CG Conn; however, Mike remained dedicated to the quality and innovative factors that provide the renowned sound of a Bach instrument.

Marvin Bement began working in the music industry with the Selmer Company while still attending high school in Elkhart, Indiana.  He remained with the company in the early 2000s when it merged with its biggest competitor, CG Conn.  For over 35 years Marvin has enjoyed the handcrafted processes of creating musical instruments.

DJ Jazzy Joyce, born in the Bronx, grew up in the era that ushered in the Hip Hop movement of dance, culture and music beginning in local parks.  Joyce developed her style with her strong techniques and engaging energy.  In 1986 she teamed with Sweet Tee for the hit recording of “It’s My Beat” and later with Digable Planets for “The 9th Wonder.”  She is one of the few women (if not the only) who battled in the legendary New Music Seminar DJ battles, going up against the likes of champions like DJ Cash Money!   

Sandy Nelson was among the small group of musicians who scored a top ten instrument hit record when he recorded "Teen Beat" in 1959.  The song sold a million copies and paved the way for Sandy to become a well-respected studio musician.  He followed up his first hit with another called "Let There Be Drums" which became an anthem for young drummers wanting to play rock and roll.  In 1963 Sandy was in a traffic accident that cost him his leg.  He soon returned to the drums, this time giving up the high hat and focusing on the driving bass drum beat that originally made him a star. 

Paul Winther took over his parent’s music store in Boise, Idaho, which was opened in 1943.  Paul enjoyed the selling side of the business, especially selling pianos and organs.  Paul took great pride in the fact that his son Greg came into the business and would run the store after his retirement.  Paul would later team with his grandson to create a piano teaching method called Easy Keys, which was based on the simple goal to provide a visual way for students to learn how to make music. Paul passed away from Covid-19 in December 2020 at the age of 96.

Dave “Baby” Cortez made history with his infectious instrumental hit “The Happy Organ,” the first pop single to feature the Hammond B-3 organ as the lead instrument. He followed it with two other top ten success, “The Whispering Organ” and “Rinky Dink” in 1962. He went on to become a sought-after studio musician. His unmistakable playing can be heard on countless recordings, including the organ parts behind classics like “Maybe” and “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.” After stepping away from the industry for many years, Dave returned in 2011 with a jazz-inspired a

Hans Jürgen Nebel is a fourth generation violin maker from Germany who decided that his skills and talents were best served as a repairman.  He has rebuilt and restored violins ever since establishing his own business in 1957.  From that time on Hans has become one of the true experts on violin repair in the world and is asked to travel to schools in Europe and America to teach to younger generations of eager students.  His knowledge and background are nearly as endearing as his humor and kindness.

Bucky Pizzarelli was a jazz guitarist who helped bring the sounds of the electric guitar into jazz and into popular music, beginning in the 1940s.  As a stage performer and later a studio musician, Bucky's guitar can be heard on countless recordings both by other artists as well as on his own.  He has played and endorsed several products during his career and has a special place in the history of music products as one of the first well-known performers to play the Danelectro brand of guitars.

Ivan Mogull had a special connection with the Brill Building in New York City, the long time hub of music publishing for decades.  Ivan was born the same year the famed building was built and his father, a foot doctor, was the first tenant.  As a boy Ivan ran the halls and got to know many of the other tenants in the Brill Building, including music publishers and musicians.  He recalled meeting Tommy Dorsey, Harry James and Frank Sinatra.  Ivan was hired as a counter boy to assist with the stock of the publishers and grew up in the business.  He created his own firm and helped pro