Trade Regrets

Trade Regrets: Gunther Schuller

Over the weekend, MMR received the following from NAMM’s Dan Del Fiorentino regarding the passing of musician and author Guhther Schuller, who passed away on June 21:

Trade Regrets: Peter Paul Prier

In mid-June the Violin Society of America announced the passing of Peter Paul Prier on June 14th. 

Trade Regrets: Lloyd Fillio

On June 9^th, we received the following message from NAMM’s Dan Del Fiorentino:

Lloyd Fillio, a witness to some very important history within the band instrument companies of Elkhart, passed away yesterday at the age of 86.  

Trade Regrets: Dr. Alfio Leone

Dr. Alfio Leone, a well respected luthier of traditional Italian musical instruments, passed away on June 3. 

Trade Regrets: Gene Fresco

Gene Fresco, longtime and much beloved sales rep, passed away on May 26th.

Fresco's innovative and practical sales methods helped establish the Sunn Company as a major player in the early 1970s and, over the next 30 years, he would take on over 20 lines and befriend many in the music products industry. He was also a longtime contributor to The Music & Sound Retailer, penning the magazine's "Sales Guru" column through its retirement at the end of 2014.

Trade Regrets: Gary Burgett

On May 13^th, MMR received the following news from PianoDisc:

With much regret, PianoDisc and Mason & Hamlin reports the passing of company co-founder and president, Gary Burgett. Mr. Burgett passed away at his home in Sacramento, California of natural causes; he was 65. A high-profile figure in the piano industry, Mr. Burgett was known for his affable style, strong work ethic, enthusiasm and his sincere respect for all industry partners that he worked with and was well-loved by the staff of PianoDisc and Mason & Hamlin. He will be greatly missed and his memory and legacy lives on in those of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. Gary's brother Kirk Burgett, co-owner and president of both PianoDisc and Mason & Hamlin will continue to oversee executive management and daily operations of both companies with no other changes in management structure. 

Trade Regrets: Joe Guth

George Quinlan Jr. got in touch on May 10th to share with us the sad news that industry vet Joe Guth passed away on May 6th:

Trade Regrets: Jim Coffin

Jerry Andreas of SKB Corporation got in touch with MMR to tell us of the passing of Jim Coffin on April 9th, 2015.

For more than 20 years, Jim was employed in the percussion industry, overseeing marketing, sales, education, artist activities, and product development – first for Premier Percussion then Yamaha Corporation. He served on the Board of Directors of the Percussive Arts Society, was secretary for the PAS Executive Board, and received the PAS President’s Industry Award and PAS Outstanding Supporter Award. As a clinician, soloist, conductor, and adjudicator, he appeared in more than 40 states and five Canadian provinces.

Trade Regrets: Denver Spence

On April 12, MMR received the following from NAMM’s Dan Del Fiorentino:

Denver Spence joined the music industry in 1968 after having been involved with his school marching bands and school band programs since he was in elementary school.  He worked as a school road rep for Jenkins Music in Kansas City for two years before opening his own retail store in Ada, Oklahoma. Spence Music Company focused on school music as did a side business he created, Ban-Kor, which produced school band uniforms and accessories.  After closing the store in 1982, Denver worked for several manufacturers including Leblanc, as a sales rep, and CG Conn and UMI as a District Manager.  After running his own rep firm for a decade, Denver was hired by Gemeinhardt as a consultant for two years before his retirement in 2007.

Trade Regrets: Layton V. Rawlins

Layton V. Rawlins was the founder of Rawlins Piano Company in Southern California and a veteran of the piano industry. Rawlins witnessed many of the biggest changes within the piano business over his 50 plus year career.

Trade Regrets: Lennie DiMuzio

On Sunday, March 8, MMR received the following from NAMM's Dan Del Fiorentino:

Our dear friend, Lennie DiMuzio, passed away yesterday.  Already our industry seems a bit different. Lennie showcased what is most incredible about our industry - characters are allowed to be characters!  While conducting business, Lennie was able to be himself, and as a result, his creativity soared. I can't name too many people who had more friends than Lennie.  He was special - a treasure.

Trade Regrets: Fred Dee Hoyt

Fred Dee Hoyt, 71, passed away February 16, 2015 in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Dee, as he was known, was born in Dodge City, Kansas on July 26, 1943. He graduated from Ford High School where he was an outstanding athlete (basketball and track) and also played low bass for the band. He attended Fort Hays State College where he continued his interest in music by playing bass guitar for the band The Tornadoes, cutting a record and touring.  While making music and pursuing his college degree, he got the “call,” like so many others, to put down his instrument and pick up the sales side of the music products business. It started at Hays Music Co in 1963 where he was hired as guitar manager. This opportunity gave him the experience needed for things to come.  Dee spent the next 50 years selling instruments, designing new products (guitars, amps and accessories), building sales forces and developing marketing strategies for the music industry. His innovations were industry changing and led to unprecedented success for each company he worked for.