ABOUT BUZZ GRIMES  

BUZZ GRIMES, first became interested in the piano when he was 16 years old.  Buzz had a former player piano that took up a good portion of his family's living room.  He took the panel off and watched the action while he played, studying the relationships between the different parts.  He was hooked!          

Eleven years later, in 1977, Buzz attended a 13 week piano technicial workshop to learn the basics of tuning, repair, and regulation.   He honed his skills, and continues to do so by attending various continuing education seminars hosted by the Piano Technicians Guild, Steinway & Sons, and others.   Buzz is recognized as a Master Craftsman with  the Master Piano Technicians of America and is an Associate Member of the Piano Technicians Guild.

Buzz worked as a Tuner-Technician, Store Manager, and Service Manager for Jordan Kitt's Music, the east coast's largest piano retailer and Steinway dealer.  He also worked as a Tuner-Technician for Baldwin Piano & Organ Company.   Buzz  is now a self-employed Piano Tuner-Technician, servicing pianos for many long term and new customers.  He provides piano service for Menchey Music Services, the Southern Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland dealer of Yamaha and other fine piano. Other customers include many area piano teachers and several recording artist/performers.  (See the "Links" page).  He has tuned pianos at Towson State University, the College of Notre Dame, and the Baltimore City and Baltimore County School systems.

Besides his love for the piano, Buzz has played the guitar since he was 7 years old  His first guitar was a toy "Lone Ranger" Guitar.  On that guitar, Buzz taught himself to play by ear, listening to The Everly Brothers, Elvis, and Ricky Nelson records.  Buzz's sister bought him his first real guitar when he was 12.  Buzz took about 6 guitar lessons; however, the style of play did not suit him.  Buzz then taught himself to play the guitar and later he taught himself to play the piano.  

From the time he was 14, Buzz has played professionaly in several musical groups (The Soundsations, The Shamrox, The Devonshires, and Main Street). In November 1966, Buzz's band, The Devonshires, opened for Neil Diamond at the Annapolis Armory. (Actually, Buzz likes to say that Neil Diamond closed for The Devonshires).  The Devonshires also played on several records backing up singers "Jenny and Jay."  Jenny and Jay were the former back-up singers for hit recording artist, Ronnie Dove. Most recently, Buzz played guitar in a duo, Buzz & Mike-the Music You Like, (or maybe you didn't like-at least Buzz and Mike liked:)).  In the mid 1970s, Buzz taught guitar part-time at Yeager's Music, an East Baltimore landmark. 

The Other Side of Buzz