Music Retail
Gary Panton grew up in Niagara, New York, and played the drums and vibes in high school. It was there that he started his first band, a jazz trio. In 1970 he was hired by Dick Crino in Dunkirk, New York, to work in his small music store. While Gary started on the sales floor, he soon followed Dick’...
Lynn Scull is the daughter-in-law of Bert and Isabell Scull, who formed the now historic Scull Groups to serve music retailers throughout the United States. Lynn married the Scull’s son Russell and became part of the family in 1974. She witnessed first-hand the devotion Bert and Isabell had towards...
Russell Scull is the proud son of Bert and Isabell Scull, two widely influential members of the music industry’s family. The Sculls provided accounting services to music stores beginning in the 1950s and are often credited for the growth of their clients over the years. The Scull Groups, as they...
Ron Whittaker was just eleven years old when his father started a music retail store in Long Beach, California. Whittaker Music opened in 1946, just after World War II and Ron still remembers the struggles his father had in gaining instruments as manufacturers were still short on raw materials that...
James Brady was front and center during the MIDI boom, working within the keyboard department at Rushworth’s Music House in Liverpool. The year was 1986 and the synthesizer was at its peak in popularity. As a musician, who was already using electric keyboards and analog synths to create his own...
Russ Fontaine played the organ, with a special affinity for the Hammond B3, since he was seven years old. His father was an organist and saw to it that Russ take piano and organ lessons. Russ performed with a number of rock and dance bands for over 30 years all the while having a day job, which...
KC Darrell always felt that his father was his best friend. They two opened a series of music stores in New Hampshire over the years, working side by side for over 40 years. KC learned the business from his father, who had opened several stores for Wurlitzer in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. In...
Adam Darrell is a third generation piano dealer in New Hampshire. His grandfather was a popular singer (Ken Darrell and the Rockaways) who opened several music stores in Philadelphia and Boston before opening four piano stores in New Hampshire, beginning in 1969. Adam’s father, Darrell, joined the...
James Tsaptsinos recalls the Muppet themed drum kit his uncle purchased for him when he was just five years old. He was surrounded by music during his childhood and in high school formed bands with some of his friends. His passion for music led to a gig as technical manager touring with bands such...
Jim Mingo learned much more than he can put into words from his experience in his school's marching band. Jim developed many skills he uses to this day including how to work within a team and how to listen to others. While playing in college he worked for a sound company and later would provide...