Candyman Strings & Things
Jeff Nelson's mother was a sought-after pianist who had a regular gig in San Francisco playing at the Top of the Mark. As a kid, Jeff took lessons from a woman who had the best name for a piano teacher, Bea Sharp. Jeff always surrounded himself with music. He played trumpet in grade school,...
Chelsie Reed is the Marketing Coordinator for the store her parents, Cindy and Rand Cook, own and operate. Candyman Strings & Things was formed in 1969 by Matthew Schwartzman and later sold the store to the Cooks. It was Matthew who named the store after two different songs called “Candyman.”...
Kitten is the mascot at Candyman Strings & Things in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Watching customers walk into the store and immediately smile when they see Kitten is a joy to witness. Her proud owner is Chelsie Reed, daughter of Cindy and Rand Cook, the owners of Candyman. Chelsie is currently the...
Jayda Cook grew up in her parent's music store, Candyman Strings & Things in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and she always had a passion for the educational component of the business. Jayda took lessons as a child and had a wonderful experience participating in the store’s Rock Camp program. She then...
Zenobia looked forward to church every Sunday growing up in the Los Angeles area. She loved to sing and cut her teeth on the old gospel hymns. Zenobia pursued singing and was cast in the Broadway musical Hair, worked with director/choreographer Michael Bennett and became a successful backup singer...
Francesca Jozette Tharpe was so thrilled to have a role in her school's choir. The experience gave her a musical outlet and self-confidence, which led to her involvement with Musical Theater. She would later learn the guitar, began writing songs, and formed her own band, Free Range Buddha. An...
Cindy Cook married long-time music retailer, Rand Cook, in 1998. Ten years later, the couple had the opportunity to purchase the very store Rand had worked in for nearly 20 years. Together, the couple transformed the store into a welcoming music hub and education center serving people from all...
Rand Cook recalls his mother taking him into the Candyman Strings & Things music store when he was three years old. He was quickly disappointed at that young age that the store when he realized they did not have any candy. With his parents support and playing the clarinet in school band, Rand...