Over a period of three decades beginning in early 1981, my dear friend and fellow luthier, the late Robert Ruggiero entered with me into a long term partnership as training and technical consultants to the Guild, Gibson, Fender, Ovation, Kramer, Spector, Dean and Evets (Danelectro) Guitar companies. During that time, we generated a who's who clientele of internationally acclaimed performers, including the following:
Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi), Elliot Easton, Joe Pass, Ted Dunbar, Vic Juris, The Roberta Flack Band, Blue Oyster Cult, Kiss, Edward Van Halen, Dave Van Ronk, and the following Blues legends: Hubert Sumlin, Otis Rush, Michael Coleman, Sonny Rhodes, Anson Funderburgh, Ronnie Earl, Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, Jimmy Rogers, Son Seals, Buddy Guy, Rick Holmstrom, J.W. Jones, Monster Mike Welch, Junior Watson, Doug Deming, Dave Gross, and Charles “Little Charlie” Baty. We also performed a variety of services within the Latin Jazz and contemporary music community through our friend Erben Perez, a bassist and arranger for Jennifer Lopez and Mark Anthony. I cherish Robert “Bobby” Ruggiero’s memory, both as a great friend, and as masterful luthier, and guitar manufacturing and machinery engineer. It is not uncommon even today to hear our work on Grammy award winning recordings, television shows, and motion pictures.
I would like to extend a very special acknowledgement to my brother from another mother, Arnie Brown, who has been one of my most devoted clients and promoters. During the last several decades, Arnie Brown has functioned as a musical director, arranger and guitarist with many legendary music celebrities, including Del Shannon, Jerry Vale, Jay and the Americans, Chuck Berry, the Drifters, the Platters, the Coasters, Little Anthony and the Imperials, the Marvellettes, the Shirelles, the Dixie Cups, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Lou Christie, Otis Rush, Hubert Sumlin, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and a host of other major acts. Arnie Brown is also a renowned recording engineer, and the proprietor of the Jam Room Music Complex in Howell New Jersey.