David Kalt remembers, with a smile, the Fender Stratocaster he dreamed of as a kid. He also recalls that great day in 1985 when he finally got a 1970s Strat! The instrument has a special place in his own passion for music, an idea and feeling he never forgot. In fact, it was that passion for... more
This is the full length NAMM Oral History interview with Brian Setzer, which was captured on August 6, 2016. For his biography and web-clip, please follow this link: https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/brian-setzer
C.J. Averwater recalls the story of his great grandfather, M.J. Averwater, a music teacher who decided to open a small store in Memphis called Amro Music. C.J. grew up in the business and learned from his grandfather, M.J.’s son, Robert, the history of their family owned and operated store. C.J.... more
Daniel Fisher has a long and interesting history in music, which began as a child when his parents discovered that he could play by ear at age 5. His education continued on a Hammond B3 organ when nuns taught Daniel in their convent and he began playing synthesizers starting in the mid-1970s. In... more
Lynn Fuston was a junior in high school when he started recording the school choir. He had been singing his whole life but recognized the need to make better recordings. Following his passion, he journeyed to Nashville and started working in recording studios such as Sound Stage and the legendary... more
Dwight Vicks, III serves as president and is the third generation to run Vicks, a content delivery company originally known as Vicks Brothers Printing. Started by his grandfather, Dwight E. Vicks Sr., Vicks was founded in 1918 in Utica, New York. Under his excellent leadership the company grew... more
Jim Hauer has many fond memories of his grandfather, Michael Hauer, a noted big band leader who opened their family’s music store in 1937. Jim recalls his grandfather providing music lessons when he was in his 90s and enjoying every minute of it. Those same feelings and passion for music were... more
Jerry Hauer grew up in a very musical home. His father was a big band leader with a noted radio show, Michael Hauer and His Band of the Hour! When Michael was off the road with his band, he provided music lessons in the Dayton, Ohio area, where he established Hauer Music in 1937. Jerry joined the... more
Ray Stacy began working for the O.S. Kelly Company in 1978 and has a true sense of pride in the work they do in creating piano plates. Located in Springfield, Ohio, the foundry was established by Oliver Kelly in 1852 to make steam traction engines and farm equipment. They soon began making the sand... more
This is the full length NAMM Oral History interview with Ralph Angelillo, which was captured on March 13, 2018. For his biography and web-clip, please follow this link: https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/ralph-angelillo
Jim Kincaid has fond memories of his father singing and playing his guitar. Jim’s father was the folk singer and publisher, Bradley Kincaid, who helped pioneer folk music on the radio in the 1920s and 30s, throughout the Midwest and the New England area. His father retired from his music career at... more
Linda (Wert) Young asked her parents, when she was twenty, to assist her in the upstart of a music store after realizing her passion for helping children identify their interest and abilities in playing music. Her dad mortgaged the family farm, which lead to the opening of Wert Music in 1973. With... more
Dan Crary first played an acoustic music festival in the 1960’s when the steel-string guitar was often in the background. However, Dan’s lead guitar playing caught the attention of a generation of fans and musicians and influenced their acceptance of the guitar as a lead instrument in folk and... more
Dr. Steven Eisenberg is an Oncologist with a deep passion for music making. He followed his family’s tradition of medicine while following his own love of music. Since 2008, he has teamed up with dozens of his patients to write songs together, which he feels is a key element to their treatment. Dr... more
This is the full length NAMM Oral History interview with Steven West, Bill Harvey, and Rick Young, which was captured on January 27, 2018. For their biographies and web-clips, please follow these links:
Steven West - https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/steven-west
Bill Harvey - https... more
Don Morris is the founder and product engineer behind Electroplex Amplifiers, which includes their famous Rocket series. In 1993, Don sat down with Trev Wilkinson to design a new amplifier and the result was the Rocket 90! Don’s long and very interesting history in the music industry goes back to... more
This is the full length NAMM Oral History interview with Mary Faith Rhoads-Lewis, which was captured on January 24, 2015. For his biography and web-clip, please follow this link: https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/mary-faith-rhoads-lewis
Rita Goldman sat right next to her future husband in high school and recalls with a smile how their friendship turned to a long and loving marriage. She also warmly recalls his passion for the piano business. Harry Goldman was the founder of Fields Piano in southern California, a store that... more
This is the full length NAMM Oral History interview with Joe Morello, which was captured on June 8, 2007. For his biography and web-clip, please follow this link: https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/joe-morello
This is the full length NAMM Oral History interview with Sir John Pearse, which was captured on April 4, 2004. For his biography and web-clip, please follow this link: https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/sir-john-pearse