Mil Averwater

Mil Averwater was the founder of Amro Music in Memphis, Tennessee. His grandson, Chip, had the forethought to record his grandfather on audio tape talking about the early days of the store. Chip has donated this interview for the NAMM website to allow us to bridge each generation of Averwater’s who have operated the store. Mil’s son Robert was interviewed in 2008 and his sons, Chip (interviewed several times starting in 2000) and Pat (interviewed in 2019) both provided their insight as to the growth and development of the business. Chip’s son CJ was interviewed in 2018 so the tradition continues! Mil was born in Cincinnati in 1896 and moved to Memphis in 1921 to open a music studio to give lessons with his partner, Frank Morman. The business grew over time and soon included selling musical instruments. Today the store stands as a pillar not only in Memphis but within the music products industry as it has provided leadership for a number of key associations and organizations over the years, including NAMM and NASMD.