Oral History Interviews

Leon Rhodes was one of the most beloved country music guitarists in history. He established himself as a clever and hard driving musician as part of Ernest Tubb’s Texas Troubadours. Leon’s guitar style helped make up the distinctive Tubb sound on recordings such as “Texas Troubadour Stomp”, “Cool It”, “Red Top” and the classic instrumental “Honey Fingers”. Leon performed on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville as well as becoming a sought-after studio musician.

Bobby Osborne is the mandolin/guitarist who teamed with his brother to form one of the most beloved duets in bluegrass music history.  The Osborne Brothers recorded several key songs for bluegrass including “Ruby” in 1953 and “Rocky Top” in 1967.  Bobby also recorded with other musicians and appeared on the Grand Ole Opry in 1963.  After his brother, Sonny, retired from music, Bobby continued to record and make personal appearances around the world.  

Fred Morgan was one of the few GI’s, returning home from World War II, who were accepted to the Conn School of Musical Instrument Repair the first year it started. The year was 1946 and Fred was excited to learn first hand at the factory from many of the craftsmen who built the instruments from the start. Although the school only ran for a few years it produced a large number of repairmen who set up their own shops all across the country. Fred’s Repair Shop is located north of Sacramento in Rocklin, California.  

Dale Miller was just 27 when he decided to open a music store. The year was 1974 and it was the first of many firsts for the passionate guitarist who enjoyed working with others to bring music into the lives of those who came into his store. While the store did not last, Dale’s drive and love of music seemed only to build over the years. After a successful time in the cosmetic industry (he helped create the Pretty Nails products), Dale saw an opportunity to enter the Karaoke segment of the industry. He formed DJ Miller Music (named after “D” for Dale and “J” for his wife Judi). Du

Jesse McReynolds was one half of the popular county and bluegrass duo Jim & Jesse. His late brother made up the other half, which by the way was once called Jesse & James, but that name did not sit well with the public. Together the brothers wrote and recorded a string of important songs including “Ruby” in 1953 and “Rocky Top” in 1967, which went on to become a bluegrass anthem. Jim & Jesse were also regulars on the Grand Ole Opry beginning in 1963.

Ben McKlveen had a very colorful life as a service man during World War II and a piano technician who cared for the instruments of many top performers and orchestras. He played oboe in the military band before serving in George Patton’s Third Army and traveled straight across Germany with Patton. After the war he studied music performance and played solo and utility for several symphonies. He continued to perform until after his 89th birthday. Back in 1952 his piano tuner retired and Ben decided the craft would be a great sideline while he performed.

Taylor Mackinnon grew up in a very musical family and his father played a key role in introducing Taylor to a variety of instrumental music. Taylor was a choral music major and earned a masters degree in music before teaching for nearly a decade. In 1974 he moved to Oregon where he began working as a piano technician, a skill his father and uncle taught him. Taylor became very involved with the Piano Technicians Guild and in fact served on the organization’s board, becoming president of the PTG from 2000 to 2001.  

A. A. (Sid) La Grandeur was trained in band instrument repair in Elkhart, Indiana before returning to Santa Barbara, California where he opened his own shop. The repair shop soon became a retail store and La Grandeur Music was born. Sid hired a young man to train on repair, who later became a key element of the business. In fact, that young trainee was Nick Rail who has since opened his own retail company that now has six stores throughout Southern California.  

Ken Ingram served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Selmer Company in Elkhart, Indiana. He enjoyed working with the dealers around the country and the staff at Selmer, which he felt were the best in the business. Ken worked for Selmer from l952 until 1974 when he became Vice President of Marketing for the Magnavox Co where he served for six years. The Gemeinhardt Flute Company hired Ken as President as did Boosey & Hawkes in New York City. He left the music industry to become President of the Southern Ambulance Company before retiring in l990. Ken always said he

Colin Hilborne has stories to tell! As the drum tech for performers such as Faces and Elton John, Colin has seen his share of wild concerts and screaming fans! Behind those stories are the moments Colin worked his magic to set up and often repair the musical instruments needed for each performance. As a drum tech he often created repairs using tape and string from his shirt threads in order to get the gear working for the gigs. Over time he designed his own drum pads as well as producing recordings. Colin was interviewed during the Nashville Summer NAMM Show in July 2011.

Leo Henrichs and his friend Raughi Ebert formed the group Tierra Negra to combine their love of flamenco and their passion for rhythms to create a fresh feeling to guitar music. They have traveled the world together and recorded several albums as well as designing their own guitar that incorporated both of their ideas for a unique tone and feel that they were proud to name the Tierra Negra Guitar. In 2009 they began recording and touring with Muriel Anderson, which brought them to Nashville where they were both interviewed during the NAMM Summer Show in 2011.

Ed Hamrick enjoyed playing the drums ever since he saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. From that moment on, he played drums and in the early 1970s established his own drum shop outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Over the years the Atlanta Pro Percussion Shop has become one of the strongest dealers in the industry, providing top name clinics and introducing decade’s worth of new and innovative percussive products. Ed was an active member of PAS and NAMM and as well as sponsoring several local music events over the years. Ed passed in March 2022 and is deeply missed.

Ray Guntren is the president of Midbell Music in Iowa, a retail store he first began working at when he was a teenager. Over the years the chance came up for Ray to purchase the store, which he later did. Under Ray’s direction Midbell Music has been a strong supporter in several industry organizations including independent retailer groups, NASMD and NAMM. Ray was interviewed about his career in the business during the Nashville Summer Show in 2011.  

Mark Goff was ready to work for a musical instrument manufacturer after college when he was told that he needed retail experience. Impressed with the idea and eager to learn all he could he applied to work at Paige’s Music in Indiana. Mark enjoyed working with the owner, past NAMM Chairman Warner Paige, and the vibe of the music store. Mark later followed in Mr. Paige’s footsteps serving on the NAMM Board and EXCOM. He also served as president of NASMD

Joe Glaser has always enjoyed taking a damaged guitar and repairing it to bring it back to playing condition. His passion for the craftsmanship of guitar repairs has made him one of the sought-after guitar techs in Nashville. Joe is also a creative designer who has designed several product accessories and add-ons such as the Glaser B-ender, which unlike other string benders can bend three different strings independently. In 2010 when Nashville experienced a deadly flood, several hundred musical instruments were damaged due to the high flood waters.

Richard Fruhauf is the vice president of the company his grandfather established in Wichita, Kansas in 1910. Fruhauf Uniforms has become one of the long time suppliers of marching band uniforms in the world. His grandfather, Lou, became a well-known designer of uniforms that have been worn by colleges, high schools, middle schools as well as the United States Military marching bands. The company, under the leadership of Richard’s father Ken, also created the flight jackets for a number of organizations including the Blue Angels.

Kenny Fruhauf recalls with a smile the years he spent working with his grandfather, Lou, the founder of Fruhauf Uniforms in Wichita, Kansas. Lou built the business on creative designs, customer service and high quality of products and craftsmanship. The ideals of Lou continued to his son, Ken, and then down to Kenny and his brother, Richard, both of whom run the company today. In addition to their products of marching band uniforms the company is also well known for its support of music educators and their programs.

Elaine Frizzell was an artist endorser for the Mosrite Guitar Company back in the 1960s. Over the years she became close friends with the company’s founders, Semi and Andy Mosley. She witnessed first hand the production of the guitars that were first made famous when played by the Ventures in the early 1960s. After hard times, she also witnessed the close of the factory and the effort Andy undertook in 2002 with Elaine’s help to complete the guitars Semi was unable to complete when he passed away in 1992.

Ren Ferguson is among the most noted master luthiers in the United States and has been since the 1970s. Many luthiers who wish to follow his style of building have studied his approach to guitar design and building. After having his own shop for some time Ren was hired by the Gibson Guitar Company to run their factory in Nashville. That plant was later moved to Montana, where Ren also designed the facilities and hired the staff. Ren has also been a supporter of the NAMM Oral History program and it was an honor for us to finally complete his interview at the Nashville NAMM Show in

G. Frank Emerson is a piano designer whose roots are firmly based in piano technician training and experiences he was involved with in the early part of his career. He became a well respected piano designer for the Baldwin Piano Company in the 1970s while continuing to support the Piano Technicians Guild, for which he has often provided educational presentations. Frank was hired by Hailun Piano Company, based in China, and has since worked with the factories to implement the craftsmanship needed to build the instruments he has designed. He was awarded the Friendship Medal, China’s

Raughi Ebert along with Leo Henrichs had dreams of combining their love of flamenco-style guitar playing to form a duet and perform together. This dream became a reality in 1994 when they formed Tierra Negra. Together they recorded several well-received albums and toured around the world. While in their native Germany, they met Muriel Anderson who was excited to work with them on an album project. That album led to a world tour in 2010. Raughi and Leo worked together to design a limited edition Tierra Negra Guitar, which was such a success the two might create another instrument i

Karen Cuneo-Ramirez played piano since she was a girl and as she grew up, she began to teach piano. She was hired by Sherman Clay in Stockton, California, to teach piano after buying an organ from the store just a week before. Karen worked closely with the Conn Organ Company, taking their sales classes and befriending the company’s sales reps, where she feels her passion for selling organs was born. After managing a piano store, Karen was hired by the Music Exchange in Newcastle, north of Sacramento, where she continues to sell the musical products she believes in.

Hal Cowan studied business administration while playing music all through school. He loved playing organ and found himself in the company of fellow organ buffs as well as employees of organ stores and manufacturers. Hal worked for the Jenkins Hammond Organ Studios as president under Paul Jenkins who was a family member of the Jenkins Music Company. Hal took over the Hammond Studios as owner when Paul Jenkins left in 1977 and changed the name of the store to Jenkins Music Company (he licensed the name from J. W.

Jimmy Capps backed nearly every performer at the Grand Ole Opry as a house band guitarist since 1960! The list of artists he played with is nothing more than amazing and represents the grand old pioneers such as Roy Acuff as well as current Opry members Vince Gill and Garth Brooks. Along the way he was a sought after studio musician who recorded with a vast list of country, bluegrass and rock artists. Jimmy’s guitar skills can be heard on a number of smash hit recordings including Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler,” George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” and George Strait’s “Amaril

Joe Calzone grew up playing drums. His passion for the instrument lead to his involvement with several bands and memorial concert performances before having the idea of creating his own style of road cases. He spoke to many fellow musicians and designed a line of products that became standard in the music industry and would later branch out in to many other industries as well. Calzone Cases teamed up with its only other large competitor, Anvil Cases, which Joe purchased in 1996. Since that time the two largest custom case makers have been guided by the passionate drummer from

Wally Brooks grew up in the piano business. His father was a piano technician and Wally followed in his footsteps. Wally was 16 years old when he joined the Piano Technicians Guild in 1958. Since that time he has been a true leader within the PTG and the industry, forming life long friends and strong business relationships along the way. He formed Brooks LTD in 1980 to supply the needs of piano technicians with products such as piano actions, tools and parts.  

Ed Blasco was one of the best known organ salesmen in Kansas City during the 1970s. He worked for Sherman Clay, Jenkins Music and even ran his own store, Ed Blasco’s Conn Organ Center in the mid 1970s. Ed’s passion for the organ was the foundation of his selling and he never lost sight of the important role he played bringing music into the lives of his customers and their children.

Allen Blasco began to smile during his NAMM Oral History interview when he spoke about how his mother and father met at Jenkins Music in Kansas City. His father was in charge of the music publishing department of Jenkins and his mother worked in the retail part of the company. Soon after they met, Allen’s father noticed his future wife was a great writer and asked if she would write a song. He had a melody in mind and that song, in 1948, became the song of the year; “My Happiness.” The song has since been recorded by over 700 artists including Ella Fitzgerald and Connie Francis.

Glenn Axelton managed a few stores for the famed Jenkins Music Company in and around Kansas City before opening his own store in Manhattan, Kansas. Glenn’s Music soon became a music center for the town and surrounding areas and led to one of the largest music lesson programs in the area. As a repairman, Glenn saw to it that the store created and maintained a well respected band instrument repair service, which has been a key element of their success over the years.

Craig Smith began piano lessons at the age seven and by the time he was twelve, was fascinated with the sounds of the home organ. He started demonstrating organs for Karnes Music at thirteen and worked there part-time through high school. During his college years, Craig continued to work part-time selling pianos and organs at Byerly Music in Peoria, IL. He also played professionally in hotels and supper clubs. After college, he toured the country with a show band for a couple years, before settling down into a retail career with his early mentor from Karnes, Pete Sopp, who by the