Music Retail
Don Bird founded Conn Organs of Fresno in 1973 in Fresno, CA. He started his career in music, working for Sherman Clay, Co. in 1967 as a general manager of a single store, working completely by himself. He was offered a promotion – move to Philadelphia and general manage 3 Sherman Clay stores – and...
Herschel Blankenship’s love for music all began when he saw Buddy Holly on the Ed Sullivan show as a kid. It sparked his interest and led him down a path filled with performing and touring. After working for many years in the music industry, he became a founder of Schecter Guitar Research – a...
Paul Shuffield opened a small mom and pop music retail store with his wife in 2008, just a few weeks before the bottom fell out of the American economy and retailing suddenly became much different. Paul reacted quickly to the challenge and soon offered services and products he didn’t originally...
Jim DeStafney is the co-owner of Blues Angel Music in Pensacola, Florida. After completing a 24-year career as a Navy fighter pilot, Jim opened the shop in 1997. Blues Angel Music has been named a NAMM Top 100 Dealer for six consecutive years, and continues to show excellence in the music retail...
Lauren Haas Amanfoh started answering phones at age three and began writing rental contracts at age 10. She grew up in a music store, and went on to receive her degree from Ohio State University. She professionally performs on the French horn at major venues such as Carnegie Hall, and is now the...
Christie Carter and her husband, Walter, are the proud owners of Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, which has a family friendly feeling by design! Christie wanted to help create a place that would be as welcoming to women musicians just as much as it would be for men, as well as wives and...
Scott Nelson would often think that “if you can sell an organ, you can sell anything,” and it got him far in his career. He started selling organs and pianos at a young age in music retail and worked his way up to regional sales manager for the Baldwin Piano Company. Later in life, he rerouted his...
Jeff Douglas worked with Bob Willcutt in Lexington, Kentucky, and learned all about guitar building and repair. Bob’s store is legendary and well respected for the selection and quality repairs. His training in the store led Jeff to a gig as guitar tech for the Oak Ridge Boys beginning in the...
Andy Penn opened one of the first music stores dedicated to drums and percussion in Northern California. As a drummer he wants to create a place for others to gather and be able to purchase quality gear. He opened Andy Penn’s Drum world in 1965 only to soon discover the name Drum World was...
Jerry Woods really enjoyed working in music stores. As a musician, it gave him a day job. As a passionate music maker, it gave him the incredible feeling of placing a guitar in the hands of a young player. After working for Skip’s Music in Sacramento, California, for several years, he had the...