Playback - Fall 2008 - (Page 15)

w vie ter In It was only fitting that the 1,000th interview should be with Roland’s Dennis Houlihan, since he has been one of the program’s biggest supporters from day one. Dan Del Fiorentino first faced Dennis Houlihan in 1999, as Dan spoke to the NAMM Board of Directors about the Oral History Program. Now, nearly a decade later, Dan is facing Dennis once again, only this time to conduct the program’s 1,000th interview, adding Dennis’ story to the archives. “It’s a privilege and an honor for you to ask me to do this, and congratulations to you and to the whole NAMM team for doing 999 of these interviews until now,” Dennis told Dan. Dennis spoke on camera about the many elements of his long career in the retail segment, including his positions as a demonstration artist for organ companies, a sales manager and as the president of a leading music products manufacturing firm. He also elaborated on how important he felt it was to document the personal experiences of industry professionals in order to capture the special energy driving people in this business. “There are so many interesting personalities in our industry that make the music products business unique and special,” Houlihan said. “And what a wonderful way to capture so many of these folks because, to read about them is one thing but to hear their voices and sense their personal passion for their particular segment of the industry is something privileged, unique and special. I think in years to come when people can look back at this rich tapestry that you have pulled together, it will help people to understand the foundations of this business in the United States and indeed worldwide.” Who’s Next ? Here’s the Oral History Program’s “Most Wanted” list: the music products professionals we hope to interview and are trying to track down. Any leads? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Emerson Deford, flute designer and innovator Dick Richardson, former owner of Musser-Kitching Bernard Muskantun, former owner of Selmer Akira Shinohara, Fostex Electronics founder Bob Saunders, retired from Kaman Bob Wise, Music Sales president Ray Dolby, Dolby Labs founder Buddy Ross, Kustom Amps designer Alberto Kreimerman, Hermes founder Ron Raup, MakeMusic Inc. If you’d like to submit suggestions of possible interviewees, please contact Dan at or call 800-767-6266 (760-438-8001 for international Members). Of the 1,000 Oral History interviews, 300 clips have been digitized by NAMM archivist Tony Arambarri and are now available for viewing at www.namm.org/library/oral-history. Our goal is to have the entire catalog online by the end of next year. Hear Their Words on the Web! http://www.namm.org/library/oral-history

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Playback - Fall 2008

Playback - Fall 2008 Contents From the President NAMM Events Music in the News Voices of Our Past, Present and Future: NAMM Oral History Program Celebrates a Major Milestone Commercial Retail Reps in the Field NAMM@AARP New Domestic Members Washington Watch International NAMM Foundation Music Notes Resources Viewpoint

Playback - Fall 2008

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