Oral History Interviews

Dave Buckeyne can’t remember a time in his life without music.  His father was a band director in Detroit area schools and bought instruments for students who could not afford one.  As a result Dave had access to every type of musical instrument imaginable, often times just sitting in the basement or tucked away in a closet.  Dave and his sister played them all.  He played trombone in school and studied music education to follow in his father’s footsteps.  While in college, he was given the opportunity to work as a summer intern for the JW Pepper Company, a chance Dave jumped at h

Joe Keith felt that the local music teachers needed specialized service when it came to finding the tools they needed.  Along with his wife, Claudia, he opened The Music Mart in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with the goal of doing all that was possible to support music education and lesson programs.  As the store grew so did his personal interest in growing the industry he so deeply cared about, which is why he joined a small group of retailers looking to formalize a new organization.  Together Joe and Claudia became pioneers in the Retail Print Music Dealers Association (RPMDA). For t

Kathy Fernandes was lucky enough to have an inspiring flute teacher while in high school that helped encourage and foster Kathy’s interest in music.  In fact, Kathy pursued a career as a school music teacher thanks to those teachers she learned from.  While in graduate school, she was hired as a summer intern to work for JW Pepper.  The company was seeking research on their own history for an upcoming anniversary and Kathy fell in love with the passion she witnessed from her co-workers and the rich history of products and services geared towards inspiring music making at every lev

This is the full length NAMM Oral History interview with Les Paul, which was captured on November 13, 2001.  For his biography and web clip, please follow the link: https://ww1.namm.org/library/oral-history/les-paul

Greg Voelker is the inventor of a specialized drum rack system that has been used by top artists since the 1980s.  His first rack was distributed by Premier Drums, which led to a full series of products including custom racks designed and created for Tommy Aldridge, Nick Menza, and Mickey Hart from the Grateful Dead who used a Voelker rack when recording “Touch Of Grey.”  Mickey also uses a custom tuned stainless cowbell that Greg created. The key idea behind Greg’s racks is to eliminate stands on the floor, which can be kicked over or interfere with fans seeing the drummer.  His

This is the full length NAMM Oral History interview with Ted McCarty, which was captured on June 26, 2000.  For his biography and web clip, please follow the link:: https://ww1.namm.org/library/oral-history/ted-mccarty

Roger Sadowsky is a highly respected instrument maker, who has helped redefine the word luthier to include the subtext of brilliant handcrafted design.  His instruments have been played by many of the world’s greatest artists including guitarists Jim Hall, John Abercrombie, Pat Metheny, Lee Ritenour, Chuck Loeb and bass players Marcus Miller, Will Lee, Rickey Minor, Michael Rhodes, Verdine White and Jason Newsted.  Roger grew up in New York City in the 1950s and recalls his father listening to the big bands and his mom listening to songs from Broadway musicals.

Casey Young has designed synthesizers and programed electronic instruments for a string of albums and movies over his long career.  As a keyboardist in the late 60s, Casey found it easy and natural to explore the exciting new developments in electronic musical instruments.  As a result he began programming synths such as the Synclavier for studio recordings as well as live concert events.  Casey worked on the “Bodies and Souls” album for The Manhattan Transfer” in 1983, which was followed by studio projects with Johnny Gill, Yes, Michael Jackson (Bad), Tina Turner and a long list

John Storyk began playing the piano at the age of 6, and the clarinet six years later.  While playing in the school band, John realized he had a great interest and passion for the sound each instrument made.  The idea of audio vibrations and sound waves really intrigued him.  While playing in bands, John kept looking around at how the sound waves reacted to different walls and environment, which led to opportunities to design rooms for ideal acoustics.  In 1969 he worked with Jimi Hendrix to design the now famous Electric Lady Studios.

This is the full length NAMM Oral History interview with Lenise Bent, which was captured on September 2, 2014.  For her biography and web clip, please follow the link: https://ww1.namm.org/library/oral-history/lenise-bent

Denny Seiwell went along on gigs with his father who was the drummer for the Tommy Dorsey band during the great Swing Era.  Denny recalled sitting on the floor and watching his father play.  As a young child, Denny took up the drums and loved every minute.  During school he played in marching bands and at night and weekends he focused on drum set playing while listening to his dad and his records.  His career as a drummer really began in New York where he began performing on recordings.  As a member of Paul McCartney’s band Wings, Denny played concert halls and festivals around th

Vince Wilburn, Jr., was born in Chicago and began playing the drums on pots and pans as early as five years old.   His uncle, Miles Davis, encouraged young Vince to listen to the great drummers, many of whom played with Miles over the years.  Vince recalls with a smile the day he sat in with Miles at the Plugg Nickel in Chicago when he was only nine years old.

David Scheirman serves the AES (Audio Engineering Society) on its Board of Governors, capping a globe-trotting pro sound career that has included over 3,000 shows in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America. His audio career has taken him on tour with top-tier artists from the mid-1970s onward.   First realizing he could combine his love of music and sound while in his teens, David juggled schoolwork with weekend gigs in a local rock band while learning how to set up early PA systems.

Bill Paige is one of the six founders of Heritage Guitars!  The idea to start Heritage Guitar began when the Gibson Guitar Corporation closed its Kalamazoo, Michigan factory in September of 1984 and moved all production to its other plant in Nashville, Tennessee (in operation since 1975). When this took place, some of the employees were asked to move to Nashville. However, since their families had spent many years in Kalamazoo, it made it difficult to uproot and move. Therefore 3 men, Jim Deurloo, Marvin Lamb, and JP Moats, decided to start a guitar manufacturing business.

Marcello Vercelli was trained as a mechanical engineer and landed his first job in the music industry at RCF.  RCF is an Italian based professional loudspeaker manufacturer, and a big OEM supplier for transducers and other projects.  It was a wonderful introduction in the world of audio that he loves.  In 1996, he formed Fusion Audio in Costa Mesa, California and designed amps inside speaker cabinets, such as those created by John Meyer with the idea of a plug-and-play design for smaller settings vs.

Greg Weast owned and operated Columbia River Music, a retail store in downtown The Dalles, out in Wasco County, Oregon.  The location, 410 E 2nd Street, had its own musical history, having housed a series of music stores since the 1930s, including Cook Music, Fulton Music, Raben’s Records and Roth Music Center.  Greg became a band director in the public schools for four years and joined American Music in The Dalles as a road rep.  Greg focused on serving the local band directors, which over time included repairing instruments for the schools.

John Krivit was interviewed at the NAMM Show in Anaheim 2016 and covered his career in the audio industry as well as his work as President of the Audio Engineering Society (AES).  As an Associate Professor in Boston, John has dedicated his work as an educator to finding connection points for students looking to matriculate into their professional audio careers. 

Tony Brown, the Nashville recording producer, started his career playing piano for Elvis Presley!  Tony became a noted studio musician working with Roseanne Cash and Emmylou Harris before becoming one of the most successful producers in country music.  As president of MCA Records, Tony produced albums for artists such as (but in no way limited to) Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Patty Loveless and The Mavericks.  In 2008, Tony was given the AMA Lifetime Achievement Award for Recording Producer.

Don Randi is among the most noted studio musicians that came out of Los Angeles during the famous Wall of Sound era.  Don was a member of the Wrecking Crew and played keyboards on countless hit recordings.  When listening to the Beach Boy's famous Pet Sounds album, you will hear Don’s piano and keyboards throughout the recording.  He plays the harpsichord on the beginning of Linda Ronstadt’s career jumping hit “Different Drum” (when she was a member of the group The Stone Poneys).  Don’s list of credits is incredible, as are the many instruments he not only played but also perfect

John Scofield remembers the music retail stores around his town growing up and proudly gives gratitude to the many retail stores involved with his career over the years.  As a guitarist he bought his gear at stores all across the country and as a noted performer and endorsee, John provided clinics and concerts for countless retailers including Manny’s in New York and the first Guitar Center in California.  John’s noted musical career also lead to future involvement with the music products industry as an exhibitors demo artist for many years at various booths at the NAMM Trade Show

Ron Rowe served as president of JW Pepper following the tenure of his dear friend Dean Burtch.  The two men were not only incredible business partners, they were close personal friends.  Using the same passion and ethics as Dean, Ron helped grow the business during very trying times including a recession, the early threat of the Internet and changing technology.  Both men also set the tempo for their business and the organizations they both have been active in, most notably the Music Publishers Association (MPA) serving as mentors to many of those they worked with over their caree

Bobby Guitar Bennett was among the pioneering musicians who proved that Fender Stratocaster was the perfect instrument for the blues.  Mr. Fender designed his electric guitar for country music and it was soon used by early rock and roll artists such as Buddy Holly, however it was Guitar Bennett and his peers that proved the instrument was equally suitable for the blues.  Bobby recorded and performed with Chuck Jackson and Otis Redding, among others, using his Stratocaster, which he still plays today!

Dr. John became the unofficial ambassador of New Orleans music by showcasing the mystic and voodoo rich traditions of southern Louisiana, which has become the backdrop to many Mardi Gras celebrations over the years. As a soloist and bandleader, he recorded million selling albums that have produced hit songs. As a sideman he can be heard on thousands of recordings including those with BB King for which he toured with for over 18 years.  Dr. John was also awarded for his passion for music education and music advocacy, especially for programs involving providing young children with t

Weird Al Yankovic built his career upon creating parodies of hit songs, with a special focus on incorporating his beloved accordion.  Al began recording his silly songs on tape and mailing them into the Dr. Demento radio program.  Once his songs were gaining popularity, Al expanded his band and found a winning formula of hit parody songs including “Eat It,” “Fat,” “Straight Outta Lynwood” and “Mandatory Fun.”  In 2016 at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, Al took part in the Grand Rally for Music Education, showcasing his passion for supporting music and the arts, especially when it involv

Dan Weingarten is a professor at CSU Northridge who also taught at Loyola Marymount University within the Theater Arts Department with a specialty on professional lighting.  He has both designed and installed lighting for plays and operas as well as small and large musical events.  His passion for the subject has made him an ideal speaker as part of the Tec Tracks sessions during the NAMM Shows in Anaheim.  In 2014 Dan presented Stage Lighting as hands on session at the show.  With the success of that program others followed including Lighting 101 and Automated Stage Lighting.  

Bill Szymczyk built a small crystal radio set as a kid and soon discovered a world of music and sound that would forever change his life. As a recording engineer and producer, Bill developed a style and approach to recordings that put the artist in the driver’s seat to play a supportive role in the creative process. 

Andy Vargas’ father was the leader of a mariachi band, which became a large influence on young Andy growing up.  He witnessed what the power of music could do, not only on the audiences, but also on the performers.  By the age of 15, Andy was performing for recording producers such as Terry Melcher, who helped direct Andy’s early career.  In 2000, Andy began his long association with Carlos Santana as a singer on the Supernatural World Tour.  Many tours and recordings have followed as well as the establishment of his own production company called Vargas Entertainment.

Bobby Watson grew up in Lawrence, Kansas and remembers dreaming of buying a new saxophone at the local music store.  An early gig with drummer Art Blakey began Bobby on his career as a noted jazz musician, which has included forming his own award winning band and playing with such artists as Joe Williams and Carlos Santana. As a music educator, Bobby taught at William Paterson University, the Thelonious Monk Institute's high school outreach program and the Manhattan School of Music.

Bob Rupp was on his way to Hollywood to make his name as a session player when his car broke down in Denver.  The year was 1979 and Bob never left Denver.  Without a job, Bob played around town and made some side money selling Dragon Drum sets.  The demand grew and soon Bob found himself making and selling his own kits, which led to the opening of Rupp's Drums in 1984.  Over the years Bob was able to expand his business, thanks to mail order catalogs and years later the Internet.  Along the way he provided drum lessons and repairs within his shop as well as successful clinics and

Steve Rucker is the Director of Drumset Studies at the University of Miami.  His long and interesting career began in Charlotte, where his father fell in love with big band music and often played recordings of Dixieland jazz.  Steve was fascinated by the sound of the drummer and his passion was born.  While attending Berklee College of Music, Steve focused on jazz while playing pop music in such bands as Sugarcreek.  He later performed with the Bee Gees for over ten years before dedicating himself to teaching.  Steve has been at the University of Miami since 1979 and has played a