The Music History Project

In this week’s episode of The Music History Project, Dan, Mike and Michelle highlight the life and career of famous writer, teacher and Sitar player Ravi Shankar. Known as the “Father of World Music,” Ravi discusses how he got that title and how his love of music developed.

This week the team celebrates the achievements of one of the pioneers in live sound and lighting with an episode dedicated to See Factor founder and Parnelli Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Bob See.

Join the team as they welcome Rockabilly musician, Deke Dickerson, as their special guest on this week’s episode. Deke talks about the legacy of legends from the world of Rockabilly as well as the impact the genre has had on his musical aspirations and his life.

This week on the Music History Project, the team dives into one of the most important topics for NAMM and the NAMM Foundation - Music Advocacy. Join Dan, Mike, and Elizabeth as they hear from some of the greatest advocates for music education, such as Karl Bruhn, Bernie Williams, Roy Ernst, Brenda Dillon, Scout Houston, Richard Riley, Tim Lautzenheiser, and John Benham.

The Music History Project celebrates the work of the unsung heroes of the music products world, the instrument repair technicians. This episode is dedicated to those technicians and the NAPBIRT organization that works to breathe new life into our long loved and often battered and bruised instruments.

The Music History Project examines the rich heritage of the piano retail industry by utilizing interviews with representation from long standing piano retailers: M. Steinert & Sons, Hollywood Piano, Fletcher Music Centers, and Daynes Music Company, as well as a special segment with “The Music Man” himself, Bob Gray.

Throughout the NAMM Oral History Collection there is one constant - the overwhelming presence of Buddy Holly as a catalyst for inspiration. Dan, Mike, and Elizabeth examine the life and career of Buddy to commemorate the 60th anniversary of his passing. Content features interviews with musicians Sonny Curtis, Don McLean, Brian Setzer, Tommy Roe, Eric Burdon, and Sound Techniques LTD. President, Da...

The world of music retail was forever changed in 1924 when Sam Ash opened his first store. Since then the family-run business is on its fourth generation and has grown to boast 45 locations at the time of this podcast release. This episode features content from the second through fourth generations of the Ash family as they describe their history, growth, and key to success in the retail market.

Manny’s Music defined Music Row on West 48th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues, in New York City for decades before it eventually closed its doors in the late 2000s. This episode features content from 2 of the three generations of this famed family owned and operated business, Henry Goldrich and his sons, Ian and Judd Goldrich. Take a listen as they reflect on the history and heritage of this ic...

The Music History Project welcomes returning guest, Zach Phillips, as they examine the career of Big Star drummer and Ardent Studios CEO, Jody Stephens. Big Star, out of Memphis, Tennessee, made three albums before splitting and the loss of Chris Bell. As the last surviving member of Big Star, Jody reflects on the impact of the band as well as other influential moments in his life and career.

Dan, Mike, and Elizabeth examine six of their favorite webclips from the Oral History collection. This episode features content from the Women’s International Music Network founder, founder of the Luthier String Company, the founder of the Santorella Music Publishing Company, and a wide range of musicians.

The latest installment of The Music History Project is anything but a drag as the team give a tip of the (hi) hat to drum manufacturer William F. Ludwig II.

This week the team steps up to the plate to examine the life and career of former MLB baseball player turned musician, music advocate, and veteran of the NAMM Fly-In, Bernie Williams. The four-time Golden Glove awardee can often be spotted at the yearly NAMM Show in Anaheim, California and was gracious enough to sit down for an Oral History interview in 2017.

Rock and Roll wouldn’t be where it is today without the giants that helped shape this wave of popular music. On this week’s episode, the team examines the foundations of the Rock and Roll movement with help from interviews with musicians Bo Diddley, Duane Eddy, DJ Fontana, Wanda Jackson, Scotty More, Ike Turner, Lloyd Price, and songwriters Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, and Dave Bartholomew.

Chances are, you know the voices in this episode of The Music History Project. While you might not recognize their names, you have heard their iconic playing on many notable albums that came out of Los Angeles throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Hear from the studio musicians themselves as we examine the lives and work of the Wrecking Crew with content from Hal Blaine, Gene “Cip” Cipriano, Carol Kaye,...

The conclusion of the 2001 interview with Henry Steinway outlines some of the defining moments in the Steinway legacy. Henry also discusses the decision to sell Steinway to CBS and many of the ways Steinway worked to remain at the forefront of the piano movement as new challenges arose.

Part one of a two-part series hammers out the life of Henry Steinway of Steinway Pianos. The overtones of part one includes the early history of Steinway as well as the importance of performance in the Steinway model. Let us string you along for the conclusion of this interview in two weeks.

Dan, Mike, and Elizabeth discuss six of their top favorite webclips from the over 3,500 Oral History interviews. This episode features a wide variety of musicians and songwriters that have left their mark on the NAMM Oral History program.

The team reaches deep into the NAMM Oral History catalog on this episode dedicated to music publishers. Examining this facet of the music products industry featuring content from musicians, songwriters, publishers, and method book authors, this episode is sure to be one to write home about.

The NAMM Resource Center team along with special guest, Kate Mitchell, make their own Fab Four as they talk the Beatles. This new series chronicles the Beatles early years as they prepared for the trip to the States. Listen to those closely associated with the boys including Bernand and Sara Michaelson, Pete Best, Billy Kramer, Ivor Davis, and Louise Harrison.

Folk legend Peter Yarrow, most known for his work with Peter, Paul, and Mary discusses the role of music in the world and how it impacts and is influenced by world events. Peter also puts to rest the rumors behind his iconic song, “Puff the Magic Dragon”.

March in to the next episode of The Music History Project as the NAMM Resource Center team reflects on the work of John Phillip Sousa. Featuring content from Harold Gore, Paul Bierley, James Saied, Steve Dillon, and John P. Smith we celebrate everything that is patriotic in honor of the 4th of July.

Hang ten with the NAMM Resource Center team as they examine the evolution of Surf Music featuring a swell lineup with Surf Music icons such as Will Glover, Bruce Johnston, George Tomsco, Bob Berryhill, Paul Johnson, and the King of Surf guitar, Dick Dale.

Take a listen this week to the NAMM Oral History interviews with Dr. Leo Beranek and Dr. Sidney Harman as they discuss and dissect the concepts behind acoustics, sound engineering, and the pro-audio field.

Al Schmitt reflects on his career as a recording engineer that covers more than 50 years of innovation in the pro audio world. Working with the likes of Sam Cooke and being inducted into the TEC Hall of Fame in 1997, Al has an illustrious career that continues to inspire others.