Oral History Interviews

Tim Carroll started his musical career as a session and touring keyboardist. He loved being surrounded by the latest innovations in musical technology and was always an early adopter, especially as digital audio workstations began to appear. From his session and touring experiences, he became acquainted with many of the companies developing the technology, namely the team at Digidesign, the makers of Pro Tools. Tim joined Digidesign in 1997 just as Pro Tools was changing the audio world.

H. John Nonaka keeps in mind that his grandfather, who established the family owned music business, always supported musicians - an element of the business John happily continues. Since joining Nonaka Boeki in 1983, John has focused on marketing and promotions while at the same time creating programs and services that support musicians. One such program has been funding transport that has brought over 200 student bands to the local professional football (soccer) games so that they could perform and gain that unique and rewarding opportunity. His commitment to musicians would make

Michael Newsom proudly serves as the Marketing Director for LR Baggs. The position brings together Michael’s passion for music and love of gear. As a kid, he played in bands with his brother and together they developed as musicians. They even signed a record deal at a young age. However, when given the chance to work with gear, Michael jumped at it. He was hired by Lloyd Baggs when he was just 19 years old. Lloyd was making guitars back then but switched his focus to pickups and acoustic pedal effects, which Michael takes great pride in marketing!

Amir Marghany received his law degree in his home country of Egypt while wanting to apply his knowledge to the music industry. He sought the advice of Sammy Ash, who gave him some insights and has since become a friend. Amir discovered a need for a wholesale business offering quality instruments to stores not well serviced by other distributors. He formed the company T-Group and established a strong dealer base. During his NAMM Oral History interview in 2019, Amir provided a very helpful overview of the musical traditions in Egypt as well as background information on music educati

Phil Hilborne turned the pages while next to his mother as a child as she played the piano. That early experience was not only a wonderful memory, but a useful training opportunity to read and understand music. He developed into a guitarist and a writer. Phil was able to convey thoughts and ideas that other musicians could relate to. He has written for guitar magazines for several decades as well as authoring his own books. He has also developed some wonderful friendships over the years including those with Nicko McBrain, Adrain Legg, Martin Taylor, Bert Weedon, Brain May and the

Abdulla Muijrers was encouraged to pursue his musical dreams by his parents. He was inspired by Queen and Motörhead while playing drums in a thrash medal band. Abdulla landed a job in the music products industry in 2007 when he was hired to work in the Room 2 Rock music store located in Bahrain. The store was established just two years before, so Abdulla had a wonderful opportunity to help create programs and services to help the store grow. In 2013, Room 2 Rock opened a second location in the downtown area. 

Zach Frederick has been around music his entire life. His brother, Alex, is a professional classical percussionist and Zach was playing his first instrument in the fourth grade. What he discovered while attending college at UCLA is that he has a real interest in business, especially international business. His first job in the music industry took place when he was hired by Ernie Ball in 1998. He worked his way up the ranks and for four years was the Export Manager. Zach realized this was the perfect combination of both of his passions. In 2002, he established his own export manage

Keith Taylor strongly believes that every recording engineer should have a foundation in music. Understanding the elements and structure of music has proven to be key to his success as an engineer and studio owner. It does not hurt that Keith also has been formally trained as an electrical engineer. Yet, it’s his background in music that he feels attributes to his understanding of his clients and in being able to help them achieve their goals in the studio. For Keith, it was taking classical piano lessons at the age of five that he feels put him on his current trajectory.

Al Slivinski was in the third grade when a salesman visited his school with the pitch “you too can be an accordion player!” Al developed great techniques on the accordion that served him well when he began playing the organ in high school, which he continued throughout college. He sold pianos and organs and also gave lessons at local music stores. He and his wife opened their first piano and organ store in Wisconsin during the mid-1970’s. Upon selling the business he became a district manager and sales executive for a number of piano manufacturers. Later in his career, Al develope

Viola Schimmel proudly recalls the mantra of her great grandfather, the founder of Schimmel Pianos, “Quality will prevail.” These words provide motivation, understanding, and guidance for her and her team as they continue the rich tradition of piano building. The company was formed in 1885 and has since gained a strong reputation around the world for consistency and high-quality instruments. Under her leadership, the company has expanded their partnerships and have taken on new and innovative designs, while proving that quality will prevail. 

John Schauer grew up in Indiana where his father offered him some sage advice; “if you listen, you will know what to say.” The quote stayed with John as he developed a career in the music industry. In 1987 he joined the Yamaha team in the corporate communications department.

Rob Meads recalls his father purchasing a Lowrey Organ and how he could think of nothing he would rather do than have a career making music! As a teenager, Rob was hired by legendary music retailer Swanny Swanson in Minnesota to play an organ in a grocery store, which was a big hit. Rob was trained by one of his mentors, Dennis Awe, before working his first job on the wholesale side of the industry with Conn Organs. Thanks to the help of another mentor, Nick Orlando, Rob was hired by Technics in the early 1980s and spent some memorable state fairs with Schmitt Music before selling

Buddy Linn likes talking trash! In fact, he takes great care in making sure most NAMM Show attendees are unaware of the removal of trash before, during, and after the trade shows each year. This is his goal and he is proud to be a behind the scenes member of the NAMM family. Buddy began working for United Services Company in 1985, taking care of hundreds of trade shows and events year long. Buddy began working the NAMM Show in the early 1990s and has since developed many friends over the years with both staff and attendees alike.

Chris Kelly has always thought outside the box, which has proven to be a perfect element for marketing guitars to rock bands. While working for Robin Guitars in Houston, Texas, Chris brought a number of instruments to a local performance center and placed them on the grass outside of the tour buses. Managers were not too thrilled with this shameless act, but the musicians loved it and often picked out guitars on the spot to purchase. Chris has worked for a number of industry companies over his career, and in each case, provided his own unique ideas for products and marketing.

Carlos Hidalgo was just thirteen when he learned the guitar and fifteen when he switched to drums. A year later he was working in a local music store, Allegro Musical. Carlos really enjoyed the music retail environment and began making notes of some of the services he would provide if he had his own store. In 2000, his father retired from the electronics field and was looking for a business to purchase. The two teamed up to buy Mundo Musical (which was opened in 1985) and make it their own. Carlos developed the store's social media outreach, which has been of great benefit as well

Ilja Krumins is a co-founder of Gamechanger Audio. He was born in Latvia and studied music in London while playing rock, surf, and rockabilly in several bands he formed with his friends. A number of those friends got together over time to outline some improvements they wanted to see in their audio gear, including their guitar effects pedals. They all had day jobs but gathered in the evening, often around Ilja’s kitchen table to discuss their ideas. When their first creation the PLUS Pedal (a sustain effect pedal for electric instruments) was ready, Gamechanger Audio was establishe

Rob Hanson joined the brass band as a school kid in a small town in England. When looking for a job Rob turned to John Packer, who owned and operated the instrument company that provided Rob his horns growing up. Time after time John reported that he did not have a job for Rob. Finally, Rob said he would take on the task of growing the school band customers throughout the United Kingdom, and he was successful. John gave him the job and Rob has been with the company ever since. In 2018 the company received the Queens Award and the following year, was presented the NAMM Believe In M

Jim Mathews played drums and formed a band when he was just ten years old. He was encouraged by his mother, who was a singer in the big bands during the swing era. He soon developed a strong interest in audio equipment as he could see how gear could help the band improve its sound and performances.

Neil Larrivee was just four years old when he began playing drums. His father was a manager for rock bands and music was all around Neil as he grew up. He served in the Drum and Bugle Corps when he was 11 and soon embraced orchestral music and the timpani. He landed a job with Vic Firth, just as the mallet company was taking off. Neil’s first office was in Vic’s home, near the washing machine. As the company grew and developed so did his role within the business, staying with Vic for over thirty years. After Vic passed away, Neil stayed on as the company transitioned to Zildjian i

Gabriela König is the CEO of König & Meyer, a music manufacturing company for which her grandfather started in the 1930s. He was a tool maker who saw the need for well structured music stands. The company re-emerged after World War II in 1949 with the help of a sales and marketing man named Mr. Meyer and Gabriela’s father. The two men worked well together in finding an area of need and then filling it with an innovative product. Gabriela worked with her father as she came into the business and soon helped within the marketing department. In 2005, she joined the management team

Jens Ritter is the innovative luthier who gained wide attention after a three page article about his instruments ran in a 1996 issue of Guitar & Bass magazine. A few years later, he attended the NAMM Show and his business grew. Among his most favorite projects so far are the instruments he built for Prince as well as those for George Benson, Phil Lesh, and Mary J. Blige. During his NAMM interview Jens remarked that he “doesn’t like business. I like building instruments! This is my focus!”

Little Willie G. sang in one of the most successful bands to come out of East Los Angeles in the early 1960s, Thee Midniters. Willie G (the G stands for Garcia) was always proud of his cultural roots and sang about it on songs such as “Chicano Power,” which was rare at the time. He also scored a hit with their 1964 cover of “The Land of a Thousand Dances.” The following year, the band had an instrumental hit with “Whittier Boulevard.” Throughout his long career in music, Willie has remained passionate about his heritage and about encouraging others to make music!

Wes Lane is respectfully known as The Voice of God at the NAMM Show. He earned the name as the main announcer introducing CEO Joe Lamond and his many guests during the Breakfast of Champions on the opening day of the Anaheim trade show, and during the Breakfast Sessions on each other day during the show. His passion for sound began as a child in Texas listening to his father’s audio gear. He had a successful career in television before becoming a team member of Freeman Companies. Wes became the account manager for NAMM beginning with the Austin, TX Summer Show, soon becoming a vit

Joe Pestka understands the values and procedures behind each NAMM Show because he has been a key part of the show since he was a teenager. His father was a carpenter for the Chicago trade shows and taught Joe the importance of an honest days work. Joe took that creed to heart and worked long and hard to help the NAMM staff and our members achieve the most successful trade show possible, year after year. Joe is apart of the NAMM family working behind the scenes insuring the show is a positive, safe, and successful show.

Tom Pistone has been a dedicated member of the NAMM Show family since 2002. His role behind the scenes during the trade shows is one of safety and security. As a former New York Police Officer, Tom has the background and experience to plan out the security of the trade show while keeping the safety of each attendee in mind. In recent years, Tom has helped special VIP attendees move around the show floor while allowing business to continue in each of the booths along the way. We are proud to have Tom part of our trade show team!

Jade Yu has always treated her employees at Tycoon Music like family. She has worked as Managing Director with the company her husband started since the beginning, and is often called the mother of the company. Her kindness and caring nature is the reason why many employees stay with Tycoon for decades – some with family members spanning multiple generations all working at Tycoon. Before the company was what it is today, Jade wore many hats including human resources, employee training, and payroll. She sat down with us at the 2019 NAMM Show with her husband Stephen to talk about t

Carl Verheyen is a noted studio musician who has been a member of the popular rock band Supertramp. While in the studios, Carl has recorded with a long list of artists and for several movie soundtracks. Along the way he contributed articles for music magazines which led to authoring the method book Improvising Without Scales. Carl is also an adjunct instructor for the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California.

Michael Nesmith is best known as the woolen hat-wearing member of iconic television pop band the Monkees, which enjoyed massive global success during the 1960s. Outside of the Monkees, Nesmith has gained kudos as a solo artist and songwriter, particularly with his group First National Band, which recorded three albums and are considered to be one of the pioneers of country rock. In other artistic pursuits, Nesmith created a video-clip for his song ”Rio" which helped spur the creation of a television program called PopClips. That program was eventually sold to the Time Warner/Amex

Bo Engberg was asked by a guitarist friend if he would please build a better amplifier. That one request from a friend change the direction of his career because Bo soon discovered he really enjoyed the inner workings of the amp and thought of a few ways he could improve on the design and functionality. Fast forward to 1979 when he created his first amp and again to 1985 by which time he had sold over 600 units.

Betty Comer has owned and operated Gibson’s Music in Corbin, Kentucky since 1969. When asked about the store, Betty fondly describes Gibson’s as “the Mom and Pop store but just with the Mom” as Betty has single-handily ran the business since it opened its doors. Betty sat down for her NAMM Oral History interview on the heels of receiving a 50th Milestone Anniversary Award at the 2019 NAMM Show. During her interview she fondly recalls many of the early memories of running the store in her beloved Corbin.