Oral History Interviews

Daniel Tomlinson was giving drum lessons when he was 13 years old and grew up in his family’s music store, California Keyboards in Bakersfield, California. In addition, as a teenager, Daniel ran sound for his church, which led to his real passion for sound engineering. Meanwhile, back at the store, his father taught him the art of piano tuning, skills he soon picked up and enjoyed. In fact, you may see Daniel in the store hours before it opens tuning pianos.

Ricky Harrison is an eclectic guitar luthier and the founder of RH Custom Guitars, located in Southern California. His love and respect for the guitar goes all the way back to his childhood and a Sears Silver Tone with an amplifier built right in the case. He formed a band with his friends in 1968 called The Persuasions, which toured around the East Coast. By then, Ricky was a devoted Gretsch player and after the band broke up could be found at coffee houses backing up singers. He later formed a trio called Absent Minds, a nod to getting older! His day job was carpentry so when he

Corky Siegel often mentions he had three LP records as a kid that changed his life. The three Blues artists were Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Jimmy Reed. Growing up in the southside of Chicago, Corky formed a trio and began playing in coffee houses and for parties when he was 19 years old. The trio included his longtime friend and musical partner, Jim Schwall. Each Thursday night the group had a standing gig at the club Peppers, where Chicago Blues icons would often join the young men on stage, performers such as Little Walter and Muddy Waters.

Igor Maxymenko is a co-founder of Audiomovers, which was established in 2017 by providing plugins designed to help musicians and studio engineers transfer high-quality audio files over the Internet. Igor worked for Waves Audio in 2007 on networking systems and saw the need for moving large audio files without losing quality and to do so in a faster way. With his plugins, Igor has helped set the standard for sharing high-definition audio files to be transferred remotely. In fact, about 80% of the recordings completed at Abbey Road Studios in London use Audiomover’s plugins.

Dr. Charles Menghini is President Emeritus of VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, who has served music students his entire career.  His journey started as a band director in Kansas and Missouri where he taught high school for nearly 20 years. In 1994 he joined the faculty at VanderCook where he contributed much to the program until he retired in 2017. He was also very active in the music industry, co-writing method books such as the successful series Essential Elements Band Method published by Hal Leonard. Ever working hard to encourage music makers, Charlie has also played an

Al Murrell recalls being hooked on the Pipe Organ when he was just three years old. That special sound, which could be loud and haunting, could also be soft and soothing. As a young boy, he often snuck into his local church to play their organ and while in high school was playing theatre organs, never having had a proper lesson. Al intertwined his 20-year career in the Navy with his career in the organ business, once taking leave from the Navy Reserves to fly home to attend an organ concert by Virgil Fox. In 1972 he purchased his first Rodger’s Organ and soon began selling the ins

Richard Bates devoured each and every record album with Moog synthesizers in the 1960s and early 70s. He was fascinated by the famous Hooked On Bach album by Wendy Carlos and took a great interest in learning just how those magical sounds were being made. He furthered his education in electronics while serving in the US Air Force and became a service technician for Thomas Organs, while also performing on theater organs in the Denver area. It is there where Richard met Don Lewis who had dreams of creating an instrument for which he could control dozens of synthesizers at the same t

Maryann Sfarzo has always loved singing! She is fondly remembered in the Baldwin NAMM booth alongside Lowell Simpson as Mr. & Mrs. Baldwin. The two entertained attendees with songs as Lowell played the latest Baldwin product. With her husband, Ron, the couple opened a music store in San Francisco and currently own Nicola Strings along with their son Chris. Maryann and Ron proudly perform together whenever they can, creating a cabaret act that they started before the 2020 pandemic, and have since resumed!

Bongo Bob Smith has had an amazing musical journey, which all began with his love of the music of Puerto Rico. Before the term World Music was used, Bob was exploring music from many countries and regions, especially Latin Jazz.  Along the way he began collecting percussive instruments from around the World, learning as much as he could about the instruments' origins. Always looking for new sounds and creating so many on his own, Bob found great success in his pursuit during the early days of the synthesizer boom. He embraced the drum machine right away, which created a demand for

Tim Shirk likes to say he is a Tim at Tim’s Music and not the Tim. While not the founder, Tim is the general manager of the Sacramento area store, which focuses on band and orchestra sales, service, and repairs. Tim began playing violin in his school music program in the 7th grade and continues to play the instrument. While in school he met a local luthier who mentored Tim and taught him the craft of violin making and repair. In 1990 he began working at Skip’s Music as a sales manager and loved being closely involved with the music industry.

Melissa Mandeville and her husband, Scott, own Tim’s Music, which is located in Carmichael, California, near Sacramento. The couple are strong advocates for music education and work to serve the band and orchestra school programs in their area. They also take advantage of living so close to the state Capitol and often represent the music industry for congressional meetings and events. Melissa’s passion for music began when her mother sang to her when she was a child. She began playing piano at the age of ten and went on to earn a performance degree in college. All the while she ta

Chaco Amazè fell in love with music at a young age, after all his father was a music teacher and his mother was a dancer of Mexican folklore music. His father introduced young Chaco to Jazz, which led to his interest in making music. He started on the guitar at ten and the saxophone a year later, which not only became his main instrument, but years later became his preferred instrument to repair. In November of 2018, Chaco was hired at the Magic Flute and become an apprentice to the store’s owner, Christian Dean, who taught him instrument repair. Chaco approaches his repairs as h

Joe Nemzer is a salesman and shipping manager for The Magic Flute, a music store located in San Rafael, California. Musically his uncle Jeff was an influence on young Joe, playing the piano and introducing him to new songs. Joe picked up the bass as a kid and attended music college in Canada. He played in a number of bands including his own group, Cup O' Joe. Being a regular, enthusiastic customer, Joe was hired by the store's manager Spike Klein, then occasionally performed with Spike and his brother Mike in a jazz combo. He began in the shipping department, which he would later

Marilyn Creamer likes to tell people that the only day The Magic Flute was closed, besides holidays, was for her wedding! She met her husband Michael while both were working at the store, which is located in San Rafael, California. When she began working at the store her focus was maintaining the sheet music department and helping music teachers. During the pandemic of 2020, her focus shifted to the store’s social media and marketing needs. With a passion for art, Marilyn happily applies her skills to the creation of posters promoting upcoming events as well as their website.

Michael Creamer has many happy music memories growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, such as attending rock concerts at the Cow Palace. His brother was a big Van Halen fan and had a guitar, which Michael picked up and began playing. He went down to the local music store, The Magic Flute, to take guitar lessons. While in high school he played in a few local bands and found himself in and out of The Magic Flute, where in 1989 he was hired for the sales floor. Without a doubt, one of the most rewarding elements of his job is the connection to fellow musicians, be it customers or s

Will Meyer grew up with a great appreciation for music, thanks to being exposed to styles such as Bluegrass by his parents. He played trumpet beginning in grade school and focused on singing while in high school, and by the time he was in college Will was teaching guitar and composing. In 2013 he began working at The Magic Flute, a music store in San Rafael, California. He felt at home right away and now refers to his fellow staff as family. Will has contributed his technical skills using the Podium and Opus One software to make music lesson scheduling and fast communication with

Spike Klein thanks his sister and her love of Van Halen for bringing music into his life. Their father made guitars for them out of plywood but pretending to be musicians soon turned into the real thing when Spike was drawn to the drums. He played drums and percussion in school and was given his first kit, which was purchased from Sears. In 1999 Spike was hired at The Magic Flute and enjoyed being surrounded by the music community right away. Within four years he rose to management and later took on even more responsibilities when new owners took over the business in 2010.

Tamara Osheroff enjoyed a 30-plus career in marketing and formed a well-respected agency with her partner. When her husband, Christian Dean, brought up the idea of buying a music store she did not realize she would soon share his passion for the role of helping others with their music journey. Tamara jumped into the role of marketing for the store, refreshed their website, developed a Social Media plan, and worked with staff to create videos aimed at telling The Magic Flute story. She has always felt that their staff is at the heart of their story and a main focus. The staff at Th

Christian Dean is the co-owner and guitar tech for The Magic Flute in San Rafael, California, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. In 1978, he purchased his first guitar from The Magic Flute and ironically worked in the store two years later. At the time, he played in a band and acted as the roadie, which was his first exposure to setting up and repairing guitars for his bandmates. His career path went towards education and he taught at Dominican University of California for 27 years, all the while he continued to play.

Jim Hart has two passions, music and animals! His love of music began for him in the 6th grade when he began playing drums for the school music program. In 1981, his family purchased a music store, which was thrilling for young Jim. The Music Tree was located in Morgan Hill, California, (the South Bay Area of San Francisco), and became a training ground for Jim and was his introduction to the music products industry. As a professional drummer he performed all over the area and while in his 30s, he hit the road as a sales rep for Panasonic and Selmer.

Judy Collins is perhaps best known for her string of hit recordings in the late 1960s and 70s such as “Both Sides, Now,” “Amazing Grace,” and “Send in the Clowns.” However, did you know Judy was born in Seattle, Washington, the eldest of five children? She studied classical piano with the famous Dutch conductor Antonia Brico (1902-1989). Judy performed Mozart concertos beginning at the age of 13. She soon learned the guitar and became enthralled with folk music. She became a recording artist with a focus early in her career on protest songs such as those written by Pete Seeger and

Judy Kaufman and her husband, John Pedersen, own Amazing Grace Music, a charming and funky (in a good way) music store located in San Anselmo, California. The couple purchased the store in 1983 and some years later when the owners of the land were going to sell it, the couple sadly could not afford to purchase the property, nor make the necessary upgrades to the building. This is when a series of friends and supporters of the store got the word out about their troubling position.

John Pedersen is a master repair technician with a focus on stringed instruments. John found himself in the position of purchasing a music store with his wife back in 1983. The wonderful mom and pop operation, Amazing Grace Music, is located in San Anselmo, California, some 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. John began playing the banjo and fiddle as a young teenager with family members. He began playing on his grandfather’s tenor banjo and later on his Aunt Doris’ five-string banjo. Having that five-string banjo inspired John, who went on to perform in the Fennigs All Star

Ed Tomlinson is the CEO of California Keyboards Music Center in Bakersfield and a well-regarded piano technician and trainer. After touring the world as part of a Contemporary Christian group playing trumpet, Ed landed a job in a piano store in Portland, Oregon. He began working at Cascade Piano on his birthday in 1986 and soon realized he had a real passion for selling pianos. He realized that knowing how to tune pianos would be extremely helpful. So he took on the task of becoming a registered piano technician and joined the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG). An opportunity arose to

Corinne Lillo and her siblings Vic Dean, Les and Danielle grew up in the family music business which was founded in 1963 by their parents Doreen and Vic Lillo. Corinne has many fond memories of working with her parents and other family members in the store. Her father Vic Lillo was a passionate advocate of music, a jokester, and an enthusiastic salesman whose catch phrases are well-know in the industry (Hey! Hey! Hey!, For Sure! For Sure!) Like her parents, Corinne has a real passion for music. She continues to operate Lillo’s Music and enjoys teaching music lessons.  Corinne and

Doreen Lillo and her future husband, Vic, were high school sweethearts. They were both very talented musicians and decided to start a music school and store after they were married. Lillo’s School of Modern Music opened on July 2, 1963. Vic rented two small rooms on the second floor of a building on the south side of Edmonton.  Business was slow at first, but Doreen credits the growth to Vic's engaging and supportive personality. His smile, jokes and honest interest in supporting music makers of all ages was key to the store's success. Doreen worked alongside Vic teaching students

Ikuo Kakehashi’s passion for music developed early in his life. Of course, he was exposed to many innovative electronic musical instruments being the son of synthesizer pioneer and Roland Corp founder Mr. Ikutaro Kakehashi. However, it was the acoustic percussive instruments that fascinated Ikuo and led him to learn percussive instruments from around the World as well as academic music. His career as a professional musician started in 1985, first playing for a premier singer and helping the band with MIDI gear his father developed.

Pat Galyean was introduced to the art of songwriter by her mother, Edna Mae Burnam. Edna Mae, as Hal Leonard wrote on their website, was “one of the most respected names in piano pedagogy.” She wrote a series of practice and method books over her long career including the famous “Dozen A Day” series, which was published by Willis Music beginning in 1950. Pat’s father was the director of the Sacramento Symphony and a first chair violist and violinist. Pat and her sister Peggy received musical training from their parents growing up.

Doice Grant follows in the traditions of Alto Tatum, the founder of his store, and Doice’s father Neil who took over from Mr. Tatum. Being the third generation means a great deal to Doice as the values and customer service he was taught are the key elements to the store's well-established reputation. Doice grew up in the store and some of his early tasks included sweeping up before he was a teenager. He worked with Mr. Tatum, who established many school band programs in East Texas, as well as his father Neil before purchasing the company in 2010.

Erica Buckley and the co-founder of Wolf Guitars Australia, Pete Mc Cullum, were thrilled to introduce their latest guitar at the 2023 NAMM trade show in Anaheim, California. It was an important step for their company, which was named after their dog and based on their desire to produce high-quality instruments that are affordable for first-time musicians. Erica focuses on the marketing and business side of the operation, applying her background and skills to the team's mission of introducing a new product to the world market.