Oral History Interviews

Mary Miller interviewed for a factory job with the founder of Crown International, Clarence Moore. Mary recalled that day in 1966 as the interview was long, but it gave her a chance to understand the company and its values. She left for a year but returned in 1968 and stayed until her retirement in 2010. She began on the assembly line and worked her way up to supervisor and later into management. She was active in the culture at Crown, including meeting in small groups to encourage each other in times of need, playing on the bowling team, and participating in the employee carry-in

Mark Darnell, as a musician, often wondered about the inner workings of the microphones he used, so he set out to learn more and in 1992 was asked to join the Crown International team in the customer service department covering the company’s microphone products. He soon became an expert on the product line and was the first Crown Microphone Engineering Tech, a position he enjoyed very much. He worked closely with product engineer Tom Lininger (1935-1998) and honored Mr. Lininger during his NAMM Oral History interview by having Mr. Lininger’s image behind him. Mark worked for Crown

Dave Stuber was just out of high school in 1968 when he was hired to work as a technician in the tape recorder production of Crown International. The Elkhart, Indiana based audio company continued to pay Dave and even gave him raises when he was drafted to serve in the army during the Vietnam War. After the army, he returned to Crown where he worked mostly as Facilities Manager until 2018. By then, the company was purchased by Harman who in turn was bought out by Samsung. In 2017, the Elkhart factory was scheduled to close the following June, however, knowing his 50th anniversary

Steve Peer has a very interesting take on the 1971 fire that destroyed the Crown International factory in Elkhart, Indiana. Steve just joined the company a few months before the Thanksgiving Day fire but was told the factory started in two chicken coops. Over the years the factory was expanded a little here and there with add-ons in every direction. After the fire the company was able to rebuild after planning out the factory with shipping and production areas. He felt that the new building design was the foundation of the success of the audio gear company. Steve retired from Crow

Verne Searer began working part-time for Crown International in 1963. He left to earn his engineering degree at Purdue and returned to Crown in 1970. He stayed nearly twenty more years with the company in several positions including as a technician, engineer, the Director of Engineering, and the Director of Marketing. Verne was on the team that worked with John McBride with live Sound installations for Garth Brooks. The team also designed a microphone that strapped to the country singers head, one of the first such products. Among the projects he was proud to be a part of were the

Jim Beattie went to his local audio dealer in Columbus, Ohio in 1971 seeking high-end gear. The dealer invited Jim to tour the Crown International factory with him following week in Elkhart. Jim was approached to fill a job position while there and joined the company that year, 1971, and retired in 1998! Along the way, Jim worked on many special products for the company including the Distinction Series. He was able to meet Frank Zappa and worked with customers around the world as General Sales Manager. Like so many who stayed with the company for years, Jim felt a true since of be

Don Eger earned his degree in electric engineering and began working for Crown International in 1964. A few years later he became a draftsman in the Engineering Department and by 1977 he was the Product Development Manager helping the company create some of their innovative amplifiers and microphones. In 1981, Don started the Techron Division to market to industrial as well as OEM manufacturers. He worked for the company for 30 years, retiring in 1994.

Dave McLaughlin began his long career with Crown International as a part-time employee in 1968. He later went to college and earned an electrical engineering degree and returned to Crown. He worked alongside famed engineer Gerry Stanley helping with the circuit boards for the DC300 Amps. He also collaborated with Mr. Stanley in writing several technical papers as well as the service manual for the DC300. Dave was proud of the manual as it incorporated humor, which many technicians have said they appreciated.

Steve Rorie landed a part time job the very same day he graduated high school at the Vincent Bach plant in Elkhart, Indiana. He later would accompany his grandfather and father at EK Blessings to observe them while they worked honing and de-burring trumpet valves . His passion for how musical instruments are made runs in his blood and over the years, Steve worked his way up from the work bench and buffing room to management and director of manufacturing. In 1985, while working for Selmer, Steve was on the team that moved the Ludwig Drum manufacturing from Chicago to Monroe, North

Alan Fox’s father Hugo Fox played in the symphony orchestra in Fort Wayne, Indiana, before being drafted for service in World War I. After the war, he began making reeds and in 1923 joined the Chicago Symphony as the bassoonist. He formed Fox Music, making bassoons in 1949, and ten years later Alan, who was trained as a chemical engineer, came back to help his father in poor health. Alan stayed and ultimately expanded the product line to include the contrabassoon, oboe, and the English horn. Alan also helped create the Double Reed Society, which has been a very important organizat

Dave Mount remembers working with his grandfather, Kurt Gemeinhardt, and learning first hand several important elements of the business including customer service and a focus on quality. Dave carried over these business principles when he and his father, George, formed MTS Products in 1971. They started out making specialized flute cases for the Armstrong Company but soon expanded. Over the years, the company, which is now being run by Dave’s son, has made cases for many instruments, including Gibson Guitars, as well as cases for other industries. Dave has always been proud of his

Dominic Massaro has been learning each step of the process of making a mouthpiece in the Elkhart shop his great grandfather’s uncle started in 1919. jj Babbitt has been innovating the process and models of mouthpieces for a hundred years and Dominic is excited to carry on the tradition. His grandfather, Bill Reglein, went through the same training in the shop as encouraged by his father Bud. Now Bill is helping train Dominic in the same way so that he can understand and appreciate the skill set needed for each step of the manufacturing process.

Don Martin was 18 years old, in 1950, when he began working at CG Conn Musical Instruments in Elkhart, Indiana. His mother, who had worked for the company for 26 years, encouraged him to interview for an opening in the bell-making department. Don remained in that department, becoming a master craftsman, until the factory closed in 1972. Over the years, Don continued his work with several respected instrument makers, including E.K. Blessing, the Vincent Bach plant, and W.T. Armstrong. While at Armstrong, he was asked to establish the saxophone department, further demonstrating his

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Phil Harris was a big band leader, singer, and actor who hit fame as the voice of Baloo the bear in Disney’s 1967 movie The Jungle Book. His career began as a drummer who found himself hanging around Bing Crosby when the crooner was singing early jazz with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. Phil landed the role as the bandleader for the very popular radio comedy, The Jack Benny Show, beginning in 1936 and was still working with the comic when he moved over to t

Russell Jewell played cornet in the 5th and 6th grade and took singing lessons in junior high school. He also performed in his church and grew up fully aware of the importance of a good sound system for the performers. He began collecting audio gear when he was ten and by the time he was a teenager, Russell was building his own speaker cabinets.

Doug Davies entered the music products industry in 1972 when he was hired by Turner Music in Canada. Turner was a subsidiary of Chicago Musical Instruments (CMI) and at the time, Doug was their youngest sales rep.  He really enjoyed the job as he had a supportive mentor to help him learn the ropes and the position involved musical gear which he was familiar with from being a musician. His career grew over the years and he worked extensively with Jack Long’s two companies, Long & McQuade and Yorkville Sound. Doug was also very active in the Canadian trade show, MIAC. He attende

Bruce Chapman has always believed in the importance of music education and the positive role music can play in a young person’s life. All-throughout his music retail career, Bruce looked for opportunities to provide lessons, instruction, and guidance to young musicians. He worked for Musicstop, a retail store in Canada, in the 1980s, Portman's Music in Savannah and then Canada’s largest music retailer, Long & McQuade. In 1985, while working at Musicstop, Bruce helped create a rock camp for students. He was so proud of the success of that program and the countless kids that wer

Noel Moore was hired by the B&J wholesale company in Canada in 1951, and served the company for 53 years before his retirement. Noel came to represent the integrity and dedication to customer service that was so much a part of B&J’s reputation. Noel embodied the values of the company, and as a result, his position grew over the years.

Brenda Hebert remembers driving to the music wholesaler who represented the small store her husband formed, Cosmo Music. She was several months pregnant with her son, Mark, and was given help loading a pair of guitars in her car. The two instruments were all they could afford at the time and yet the wholesaler didn't mind helping out. Both the wholesaler and Brenda and her husband, Tom, knew that this store was only going to grow. Today it’s among the most successful stores in the country.

Tom Hebert was serving in the Canadian Air Force when he had the idea of opening a small music store. His idea was to provide lessons to some of his fellow servicemen and the young students in the neighborhood. Cosmo Music was established in 1968 and slowly grew over the years to include repairs and rental programs. When Tom’s wife, Brenda, and later their two children came into the business it became a true family affair with customer service and attention to detail always remaining important to Tom.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Jack Jones was the son of actors Allan Jones and Irene Hervey. The experience of growing up in Hollywood allowed Jack to explore a number of fields in entertainment. At a young age, he realized he loved to sing, so with the help of his father, Jack began recording demos and in 1959 landed a contract with Capitol Records.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Ray Ellis had a remarkable career as a songwriter and arranger. His career spanned jazz and popular music, as well as cartoons and game shows.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Manny Albam was taught how to arrange jazz for a big band while working with Georgie Auld's Orchestra. Georgie's arranger at the time was Budd Johnson who took Manny under his wing. Manny developed into one of the most noted arrangers and composers of jazz music particularly during the 1950s. Leonard Bernstein and Stan Kenton personally sought out Manny for projects as did Count Basie and Thad Jones. Image courtesy of the Downbeat archives and RCA.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Nick Brignola’s baritone saxophone can be heard on several important jazz recordings beginning in the 1960s. He helped define the role of the baritone saxophone in the contemporary style of jazz of the era, including free and modern jazz. As a young player, Nick surrounded himself with the older veterans of jazz and learned techniques and phrasing from other instruments that helped shape his own unique style.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Bob Brookmeyer played trombone for several name big bands during the great swing era including Tex Beneke, Claude Thornhill, and Ray McKinley. Bob began focusing on Cool Jazz and West Coast Jazz, playing with the likes of Stan Getz and Gerry Mulligan. In the late 1960s, Bob moved to Los Angeles and began a second career as a studio musician.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Les Brown and His Band of Renown was among the most popular orchestras during the swing era. His recording of "Sentimental Journey" (with vocals by Doris Day) was often considered the homecoming theme song of World War II. The band's countless performances with Bob Hope's USO shows forever placed Les in the hearts of millions as did his string of hit recordings including his theme song "Leap Frog." Image courtesy of the Downbeat archives and MCA.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Joe Bushkin was involved with jazz at a very critical time in music history. Born in 1916, Joe was playing in dance bands while many of the originators of jazz and swing were still performing. As a pianist, Joe helped bridge the eras while adding his own unique style and feel for the music. Benny Goodman hired Joe in 1935 to perform with his orchestra and a series of name brand gigs followed including recordings and live performances with Eddie Condon, Bu

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Billy Butterfield's smooth and melodic trumpet can be heard on Margret Whiting’s recording of "Moonlight In Vermont." His performance was often singled out as a defining moment for young musicians who heard the solo and sought lessons to follow in Billy's footsteps. That influential recording was just one moment of his long and successful career in the big band and jazz world that included gigs with Artie Shaw, Les Brown, Bob Crosby, Tommy Dorsey, and Ben

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Benny Carter was among the most creative jazz composers and arrangers in a career that spanned the 1930s through the 1990s. He first recorded with Charlie Johnson's Orchestra in 1928 and worked with Duke Ellington and Teddy Wilson before forming his own band. Benny composed several songs now considered jazz standards including "When Lights Are Low" and "Key Largo" and received several awards for his contributions to jazz including being inducted into the

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Doc Cheatham was a blues and jazz trumpeter who played from the early years of recordings all the way into the 1990s. Doc was just a teenager when he recorded with the blues legend Ma Rainey (1927) and played with a who's who of musicians and singers until his last performance two days before his passing at the age of 91. Among those Doc performed with over his career were Chick Webb, Claude Hopkins, Benny Carter, Teddy Wilson, Fletcher Henderson, and Cab