Music Retail
David Jewell remembers his brother’s snare drum sitting in the closet and wanting so much to play it. He begged his teacher, Mrs. Mandy, to join the band and after several tries, she agreed. David remarked during his NAMM Oral History interview that if she didn’t say yes, he probably would not be...
Greg Golden was in the vintage guitar business back in the days when such instruments were referred to as simply “used.” Along with a handful of key dealers across the United States, Greg played a vital role in developing the vintage market by not only offering top quality instruments and setting...
Sherry Bird teamed with her future husband, Steve Bird, to open a Steinway dealership in Austin, Texas. Together they also opened a second location in San Antonio. With a strong business background, developed working for an oil and gas company in Texas, Sherry took over the books and business...
Walter Hutcherson began repairing guitars in the 1950s and in fact was one of the first repairmen to work on Fender Instruments. He opened Walters Music Exchange in Austin, Texas, and soon gained a reputation for reliable repair with special care and attention to detail (such as removing the cat...
Steve Bird joined the piano industry right out of school and established a life-long career that he has thoroughly enjoyed. While working for Sherman Clay, Steve was asked to open up several locations, which became a niche for him. Understanding and embracing the business element as well as the...
Dave Wintz has always enjoyed designing musical gear, whether it be guitars or pickups. His passion lies with creating a product that will provide any musician with the opportunity to add to their own unique sound, like a painter adding a new color to his palette. In the early part of his career...
Deena Bird began teaching piano while she was still a teenager. She later established her own music school, which for a while was located in the Steinway Gallery of her hometown of San Antonio, Texas. One day while walking in the hall she met Lyle Bird, the father of the store’s owner. Well, the...
Don Holcombe owned and operated several music stores during his long career. Among the most noted stores were those he opened with fellow salesman Russell Lindquist in and around Houston under the name Holcombe-Lindquist Piano and Organ. The stores played a big part in the home organ boom of the...
Doug LaLonde was a professional musician before being drafted to serve in the US Army during the Korean War. He played percussion in the army and while stationed in San Francisco began his long and successful career with the Sherman Clay retail chain. Doug began in the MI department but soon...
Jane Jones began her career as a piano technician while working in music retail. She noticed pianos in the repair shop lined up and wanted to do all she could to get those instruments back in the home making music. She began teaching herself as a tuner and soon joined the Piano Technicians Guild...