Sterling Ball

Video

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Job Title
President
Company Name
Ernie Ball Music Man

Sterling Ball’s great-grandfather was a successful songwriter in the golden era of Tin Pan Alley and wrote a series of hits such as “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” and "Mother Machree” His father was Ernie Ball, the innovator and musician who revolutionized the music industry with his strings and in standardizing string gauges. Sterling expanded on his father’s company by bringing in the Music Man brand and in designing a new series of guitars and products beginning in the 1970s. Sterling has not slowed down since. Among his many contributions to the industry was when he served on the NAMM Board and created programs to encourage players of all ages to pick up an instrument and have fun.