2,000th NAMM Oral History Program Interview

NAMM music historian Dan Del Fiorentino sat down with the 2,000th Oral History Program interviewee Tom Schmitt (past NAMM chairman and president/CEO of Schmitt Music Company) at the recent NAMM Show, to discuss the history of Schmitt’s family business and his experiences in the industry, as well as the importance of the Oral History Program to record and preserve history.

“It’s really fun for me to be able to do this interview, and the fact that it’s the 2,000th interview, that’s a happy coincidence and sort of a landmark,” Schmitt said. “I’m thrilled that we’ve been doing this because I think that it’s such a great archive for our industry… When I think of our industry, it always feels like more of a fraternity to me than it does an industry. We talk about the importance of community and how important that is to the vibe of the NAMM Show and the association, and we do the great Annual Tribute—all of this I think really contributes to creating connections with our Members, and I think this program is an important part of that. It means a lot and I’m really grateful for the opportunity.”