Music Retail
Mark Maxwell’s love for music retailing goes back as far as he can remember. His parents started Mom’s Music in "Kentuckiana" with stores in Jeffersonville, IN and Louisville, KY. Mark literally grew up in a music store, and has been selling instruments and gear his entire life. When his parents...
Beverly Maxwell and her husband, Marvin, established Mom’s Music in Louisville, Kentucky in the early 1980s. Beverly took care of the books and the business end of the store while her husband took care of the sales and product lines. The couple made a great team, which not only led to another...
Tracy Leenman remembers hearing her father play the saxophone and wanting to play the same instrument. She played several instruments throughout school including the sax, flute, and bassoon, while also singing in the choir. Tracy earned her Master’s in music education with the idea of becoming a...
Pamela Cole played trombone in school and learned firsthand the importance of supportive people in the formative years of a young musician. After graduating from Belmont College in Nashville with a degree in music business, she and Leigh Maples opened their female friendly music store in Nashville...
Leigh Maples played her ukulele as her sister sang when the two were small and remains an important memory for Leigh. She later played guitar in high school and went on to study music business in college. In 2009, Leigh and Pamela Cole, who she met in college, opened a music store in Nashville. ...
C.J. Averwater recalls the story of his great grandfather, M.J. Averwater, a music teacher who decided to open a small store in Memphis called Amro Music. C.J. grew up in the business and learned from his grandfather, M.J.’s son, Robert, the history of their family owned and operated store. C.J....
Jeremy McQueary proudly carries on the tradition of Paige’s Music in Indianapolis, Indiana, not only in serving their customers but by serving the industry! The store was opened in 1871 and has come to symbolize dedication to customer service, which is at the core of Jeremy’s values. Over the years...
Harry Sparks is the founder of the Famous Old Time Music Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. Harry grew up in the folk and bluegrass era of the 1960s and joined a band at a young age. Over the years he began repairing instruments, at first for his band mates and friends, which led to him opening the store...
Bob Bailey has a big gig to oversee each year, the annual Sweetwater Sound Gearfest! This is no small task as anyone of his friends on the NAMM staff can tell you, but Bob heads a strong team who are all dedicated to creating a fresh and exciting event for their customers each year. Back in the...
Vern Crews grew up surrounded by music. His uncle, Pee Wee Marquette, who was the master of ceremonies for the famed Birdland jazz club, gave young Vern a Hammond Organ when he was a kid. That organ inspired him to learn all he could about electronic musical instruments. During the MIDI boom of the...