On April 15, we received the following news from NAMM‘s Dan Del Fiorentino:
Rosi Johnson sent us the sad news that Gary DeShazo passed away yesterday.
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Gary began his musical career as a Texas bandmaster and then worked with James Caldwell, the founder of Caldwell Music. With a great understanding of the educators’ needs, Gary soon developed lasting relationships with band directors over the entire state and beyond. In 1969, he bought Caldwell Music and became devoted to music advocacy long before the phrase was widely used. He also became a fixture at NAMM shows and Texas Bandmaster Association meetings among others. He sold Caldwell Music to Brook Mays before retiring in 2005.
