Sams, Lynn L.

Lynn L. Sams (4 April 189617 March 1990) was a founding member of the American Bandmasters Association (ABA), and a leader in the music industry. He served as editor of the ABA newsletter for many years and also served as that organization's historianboth in official and unofficial capacities. Over his lifetime, Sams collected biographical material and photographs documenting the history of the band in America and also the prominent people in the band world.

Sams began his music career as a traveling salesman for the Conn Corporation and eventually became president of the company. Sams's early days as a traveling salesman became the basis for the character Professor Harold Hill in Meredith Wilsons musical The Music Man . Sams became an activist in the musical instrument industry and was instrumental in the 1965 repeal of the excise tax on musical instruments. After leaving Conn in 1955, Sams became vice-president of Buescher Instrument Company. Sams's final years were devoted to the writing of a book, The History of School Bands, which was left unfinished at the time of his death in Napa, California.

From the guide to the Lynn L. Sams Papers, 1930-1990, 1930-1990, (Special Collections in Performing Arts)

Bandsman and businessman.

Mr. Sams was a founding member of the American Bandmasters Association (ABA), and a leader in the music industry. He served as editor of the ABA Newsletter for many years and also served as that organization's historian - both in official and unofficial capacities. Over his lifetime, Sams collected biographical and photographic materials documenting the history of the band in America and also the prominent people in the band world. Sams began his music career as a travelling salesman for the Conn Corp. and eventually became president of that company. Sams's early days as a travelling salesman became the basis for Meredith Willson's character Professor Harold Hill from Willson's musical, The Music Man. Sams was also an activist in the musical instrument industry and was instrumental in the passing of the Excise Tax Repeal in 1965 on musical instruments. After leaving Conn Co. in 1955, Sams started work at Buescher Instrument Co. and eventually became president of that company. Sams's final years were devoted to the writing of a book, History of School Bands, which was never completed. In 1948, Sams was made an Honorary Life Associate Member of the American Bandmasters Association.

From the description of Papers, 1930-1990. (University of Maryland Libraries). WorldCat record id: 32407933