Music Retail
Leonard Schmitt opened a small guitar shop to provide lessons in the St. Louis area back in 1932. At the time we wrote a method for teaching music called the Schmitt Music Training Approach. Over the years the method has been used to educate millions of students on how to make music. In 1973, he...
Herbert David was often called upon when a guitar needed repair – especially when the guitar belonged Eric Clapton. Still, guitar repair was only a part of his business. Herb enjoys making “odd ball instruments” as he calls them, and was hired by the Smithsonian to create an ancient instrument they...
Hans Thomann runs the music store his father founded in a small German village. The Thomann Music name is now known all around Europe for quality service and products. Mr. Thomann noted, “Yes, we want to sell instruments, but only the right one to our customers. This is what we work for.” His NAMM...
Ralph Sordyl believed in music! Having started a music repair business in his living room while teaching music, Ralph grew the company, Sordyl’s House of Music, to one of the best known in the country. It is remarkable that Ralph had the time considering he had nine children. Upon asking Mr. Sordyl...
Ed Cranley was surrounded by his devoted family when he was interviewed in July 2005. He spoke with pride of his role in expanding the Willis Music Company and the fact that his son now runs the business. He also told of his impressive career as a baseball pitcher, but perhaps took the greatest...
Andy Preston has a great philosophy regarding his music store, “Our staff are all repairmen and women first, not salesmen. We want them to know all about the instrument before they begin selling. This makes for happier customers and a confident staff.” Today, Andy’s Guitar and Drum Shop is one...
Terry Hope and Simon Gilson represent more than the new era of powerhouse music retailers in the world, they represent a refreshingly new approach to old and standard methods of selling. As founders of the Professional Music Technology (PMT) chain of stores, Simon and Terry speak with pride about...
Simon Gilson and Terry Hope represent more than the new era of powerhouse music retailers in the world, they represent a refreshingly new approach to old and standard methods of selling. As founders of the Professional Music Technology (PMT) chain of stores, Simon and Terry speak with pride about...
Patrick Kelly was the youngest of eight children raised in Western Scotland. His sisters played piano and he had an interest in playing the guitar. His passion led him to pursue a dream of being a rock star. While playing with his bands, he rented PA systems on the side, which led to friends asking...
David Briggs is a great example that not everyone in the music products industry enters into it because of their passion for music. David’s passion is business, and he has developed one of the strongest retail chains in the UK, Dawson’s Music. Mr. Briggs noted, “Looking for ways to improve what we...