Gretsch Family and Company Biographies

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  Charles "Duke" Kramer, 1916-2005

  Gretsch Company

  From Gretsch House Telegram Volume 12, Issue 1 2006

  The World's Gretsch Goodwill Ambassador for 70 Years

  Charles Kramer went by many nicknames: "Duke", "The Silver Fox", even "Mr. Guitar Man." You could also call him "The Thread." Duke Kramer was the thread, the constant connection that bridged eight decades of Gretsch musical history.

  In 1935, Bill Gretsch was managing the company's Chicago Distribution office when he met a 19-year-old sax player who played the local clubs. Bill saw something special in the teenager and offered him a job polishing horns for $11 a week. Duke accepted the job and really never left the company. His career and involvement with Gretsch spanned an amazing 70 years.

  At Gretsch, Duke practically did it all and saw it all. His duties over the years included being a purchasing agent, salesman, bookkeeper, general manager, plant manager, inventor, mentor, and trusted advisor to four of the five Gretsch presidents. Duke was also involved in the birth of "That Great Gretsch Sound" after World War II when the company decided to focus only on manufacturing high quality guitars and drums under the Gretsch brand. Duke witnessed and participated in many historical milestone events. He worked with Jimmie Webster and Chet Atkins to forever change the look and sound of guitars. He was instrumental in getting Gretsch drums into the hands of the best musicians in jazz and popular music.

  In the fast-changing world of the music industry, Duke was a survivor. He was one of a handful of faithful Gretsch employees who survived the Baldwin acquisition in the late 1960s. He ran the Cincinnati office of the Gretsch Division until his retirement in 1980. When Baldwin was in bankruptcy in the early 1980s, Duke was again brought into the Gretsch business and was key to arranging the sale back to the Gretsch family. Negotiations were successful and current president Fred W. Gretsch returned the company back to his family in January 1985. But Duke's involvement didn't stop there. He played a critical role in bringing Gretsch guitars back into production. Fifty years after he was hired by Fred's father, Bill Gretsch, Duke Kramer was again on the road talking to musicians and instrument dealers assuring them that the "Great Gretsch Sound" would soon return.

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  Ernie Gadzos, 1922-2005

  Gretsch Company

  From Gretsch House Telegram Volume 12, Issue 1 2006

  Master Drummer & In-House Drum Expert

  Ernie Gadzos was "Mr. Drum Expert" at the Gretsch Drum Company for over nineteen years. Whenever an expert opinion or product test was needed, Ernie was always the guy to go to. A master drummer, Ernie's immense talent was matched by his vast musical knowledge and overall love for music.

  Born in Windsor, Ontario in 1922, Ernie was drawn to music, gravitating and excelling at the drums. When he was 16, he started playing with local bands and later studied with Jack Ledingham, the principal percussionist with the Detroit Symphony. In 1948, Ernie moved to the United States and spent several years playing drums for the Statler-Hilton Hotel chain. In the 1950s, Ernie settled in Chicago and worked with various bands including the Glenn Miller Band and the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra. In 1965, Ernie decided to retire from the road. He married, settled down, and went to work for Frank's Drum Shop. Later, he worked for Drums Ltd. for six years before joining the Slingerland Drum Company in sales and service.

  When Fred W. Gretsch bought the Gretsch Company from Baldwin in 1985, his first focus was on drum production. Fred convinced Ernie to move to Savannah to join the Gretsch Drum Company in sales and customer service. He was a valued member of the Gretsch drum team and played a key role in resurrecting "That Great Gretsch Sound" to new generations of drummers. Ernie's vast knowledge, experience and deep love of music are irreplaceable. He was a special part of the Gretsch family and his smile and presence will be missed around the Gretsch Company.

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  Dinah Gretsch

  Gretsch Company and NAMM Foundation

  Dinah Gretsch serves as Executive Vice President and CFO of the Savannah, GA-based Gretsch Company, a globally recognized manufacturer of high-quality drums and guitars since 1883. Dinah has been recognized as a prominent figure in the musical instruments industry for forty years with numerous prestigious awards and accolades.

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  Fred W. Gretsch

  Gretsch Company

  Just like previous generations of Gretsch presidents, Fred literally grew up in the family business. He hung out at the Brooklyn Gretsch factory after school, on Saturdays, and even during summer vacations; doing a variety of office jobs and learning many aspects of the music business.