PEOPLE
z z u B Prestigious Award for Sharon Hennessey
The Music People announced that company co-president Sharon Hennessey has been named a recipient of the Hartford Business Journal’s 2020 Women in Business award. A panel of independent judges selected 15 award recipients stemming from a wide range of industries, including TV, banking and nonprofits. According to the Journal, winners are selected for making a significant difference within their organization and their community. “I am so honored to receive the 2020 Women in Business award,” Hennessey said. “When I first started out in business, most executives in all industries were male, so I had to overcome that stigma. Even working in the music industry, which historically is more welcoming to new concepts and ideas, I often initially found it difficult to find my ‘voice.’ Years ago, I remember entering conference rooms of 12 men by myself and having to learn to navigate this new world. I’ve been lucky to have several mentors over the years that have taught me if you are selling something you are truly passionate about, ultimately the results will have no limits. My message to fellow women in business is always believe in yourself, trust in what you do and stand up for your values.” Hennessey has served as co-president at The Music People alongside her brother John since 1989. During her tenure, she has helped the company grow from 17 employees to 84, played an integral role in the creation of its overseas division and developed strategic relationships within the MI industry.
In Memoriam: Ed Boyer
Edward James Boyer, a highly respected music products manager for Yamaha Corp. of America, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, at his home in West Chester, Pa. He was 63. Born June 19, 1956, in Reading, Pa., he was the son of Edward James Boyer and Shirley Boyer, and the husband of 36 years to Kathleen Hassinger Boyer. Boyer attended West Chester University, earning a bachelor’s degree in music education. Upon graduation from college, he worked at Zapf’s music store in Philadelphia and, in 1983, was invited to join Yamaha as a district manager for the company’s then band and orchestral division. For the past 20 years, he served as a regional sales manager, and was consistently recognized by Yamaha for his significant contributions to his sales team, having been inducted into the company’s President’s Club in 2016 and 2019. Over the span of his nearly fourdecade career with Yamaha, Boyer developed long-lasting partnerships with dealers while working with them to cultivate relationships with area school directors. “We take great pride in the dealers that we have,” Boyer reflected in a NAMM Oral History video interview conducted in 2010. “It’s really important to us to have that relationship, and we value it.” “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Ed, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends, including the many people he worked with here at Yamaha,” said Garth Gilman, corporate vice president, Yamaha Corp. of America. “Ed was always a consummate professional who drove those of us who worked with him to be better. The loss is immeasurable, but we are grateful for all the memories we have of Ed.” When he was off the road, Boyer enjoyed playing the drums and spending time with his family at the beach in Ocean City, Md. In addition to his wife and parents, Boyer is survived by a son Christopher Boyer, a daughter, Kathleen “Katie” Boyer and her fiancé Steven Clark. Services and interment will be private. To honor Boyer’s memory, donations can be made to The West Chester University Foundation c/o The West Chester University Foundation, 202 Carter Drive, West Chester, PA, 19382. Please mark your donation “Wells School of Music in Memory of Ed Boyer.” For online donations, visit msr.io/boyer-wells.
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In Memoriam: Jean-Charles “JC” Costa
Industry veteran Jean-Charles Costa passed away on March 24 in New York City due to complications caused by an abdominal obstruction. Known to many as simply “JC,” he was a talented writer, musician, photographer, artist and storyteller. Underneath it all was a wonderful sense of humor and a true generosity of spirit and kindness. A A brilliant and articulate communicator, Costa was widely admired by friends and industry colleagues alike for his creativity, talent and keen wit. A graduate of Columbia University, Costa began his career at Rolling Stone magazine in 1969 as a music critic, features writer and editor. Among his many notable album reviews were 1971’s “Meddle” by Pink Floyd, “Frampton Comes Alive” (1976) and Bad Company’s “Burning Sky” (1977). From 1971-73 Costa worked at Atlantic Records, handling duties as staff writer, artist relations and public relations, a specialty that would define the last 20 years of his accomplished career. At Atlantic Records, he wrote liner notes for albums by Eric Clapton; the Allman Brothers; Emerson, Lake and Palmer; Chic; and Roy Buchanan. He spent the next 20 years as a writer, reviewer and editor at various publications, including Gig magazine and Record magazine, while still doing freelance work for Rolling Stone and other publications. In 2001, after decades as a successful marketing professional for Samson Technologies (vice president of marketing, 1993-2000) and the Manhattan-based Advertising/PR firm SR/A where he served as creative director, Costa combined his experience in writing, marketing, public relations, branding and music production to start his own PR firm based in New York City. His appropriately named Brainstorm Media offered creative marketing support, promotions and public relations to many pro-audio and MI brands, including Fishman, Martin Audio, Middle Atlantic Products and CAD Audio. In a statement provided by Fishman, the company said “Those who knew Jean-Charles would attest that he was a wonderful husband, father and friend who will be greatly missed.” Costa is survived by his beloved wife Rise, their son Brett, daughterin-law Jacqueline and granddaughter Tabitha. Donations in his memory can be made to the Mount Sinai Health System at msr.io/costa-mount-sinai. MAY 2020