Murry Wilson
July 2, 1917 – June 4, 1973
Murry Wilson was a songwriter, musician, record producer, and most importantly, the father of Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. Wilson began as a songwriter during the ’50s, having a couple of his songs covered but never gaining much success. All the while, he was teaching his own sons how to write, sing and play music. The brothers eventually added cousin Mike Love and schoolmate, Al Jardine to become the Beach Boys. The Beach Boys would soon become one of the most popular bands in rock history by almost single-handedly defining a musical genre. While managing the boys’ career, Murry was known to be a fierce negotiator, and was reportedly just as ruthless at home. He and his sons had a tough relationship that may have actually fueled their creativity and drive. Murry Wilson died following a heart attack at the age of 55.
W.C. Handy was born in Florence, Alabama in a log cabin that was built by his grandfather. By the time he was a teenager he was playing both trumpet and clarinet in a band. He would become a teacher by trade and was soon writing songs that would become blues standards. His “St. Louis Blues” as recorded by 
Ralph Mercado was a successful Latin music impresario who had his hands in many facets of the entertainment industry. He started out promoting Latin jazz shows in clubs throughout Manhattan, but it was just a matter of time before he was putting on Salsa shows at the Hollywood Bowl and Madison Square Garden. During the early ’70s, Mercado opened his own management company where he represented the likes of 
