THE FINAL NOTE
JIMMY LOVINGGOOD Chief Operating Officer, D’Angelico Guitars By Brian Berk "On day two of [The NAMM] Show, Steven Tyler walked in. Being a huge Aerosmith fan, I became very excited. He looked around and realized our room was not where he could get cheeseburgers, so he left."
The Music & Sound Retailer: Who was your greatest influence or mentor and why? Jimmy Lovinggood: My former CEO Lacy Edwards. He taught me so much about business and life. He was an example of how to treat people with respect, kindness and honesty. One valuable lesson I learned from him was how to motivate people. That a method of motivation that works for one person does not necessarily work for another. A good manager needs to know what motivates each of their co-workers and proceed accordingly. R What was the best advice you ever received? L Never tell someone to hit you first. R What was your first experience with a musical instrument? L My grandfather bought me my first guitar when I was about eight or nine years old. I wasn’t the best [at playing it], so I gave it to my friend and now brother-inlaw Gene Baker. Then I started playing bass. R What instrument do you most enjoy playing? L Bass guitar; though I’m slowly adding to the number of songs I can play on guitar, as well. R Tell us something about yourself that others do not know or would be surprised to learn. L When I was 17, I sold Kirby vacuums door-to-door. I was really bad. I think I sold one: to my mother. R What’s your favorite activity to do when you’re not at work? L See live music, work out and hang with good friends. R What is the best concert you’ve ever been to? L I’ve been to hundreds of concerts, so this is a really tough question. If I had to choose one it would be Iron Maiden, “Number of the Beast” tour.
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R If you could see any musician, alive or deceased, play a concert for one night, who would it be and why? L The Beatles, because they’re responsible for some of the best rock and roll songs ever written. R What musician are you hoping to see play in the near future? L Bruno Mars. Unbelievable performer. R What song was most memorable for you throughout your childhood and what do you remember about it the most? L Led Zeppelin, “Houses of the Holy.” My friends and I would listen to the entire “Physical Graffiti” album over and over again. But that song just reminds me of being a teenager and hanging with great friends. R What are your favorite songs on your smartphone/iPod? L “Lions in Cages” by Rae Garvey, “Let it Be” by The Beatles and “The Funky Nation” by Jordan John. R What’s the most fun thing you saw/did at a NAMM Show? L It was the first year D’Angelico Guitars had a room upstairs. At the time, the room was shared with my former company, Premier Builders Guild. On day two of the show, Steven Tyler walked in. Being a huge Aerosmith fan, I became very excited. He looked around and realized our room was not where he could get cheeseburgers, so he left. That was most definitely one of the funniest moments I’ve had at The NAMM Show. R If you had to select three people, past or present, to have dinner with, who would they be and what would you ask them? L Elvis Presley: How did he handle all the negativity (continued on page 45) JULY 2020
