Ohio

Larry L. Fresch Sr. exuded the passion and the love of music that is so much a part of this industry. His four Fresch Music stores in Ohio not only became part of their communities, they encouraged the growth of music programs and music making at every level. After working for a small retailer in Sandusky for two years, Larry bought the store, renamed it and began his long association with NAMM –the year was 1958. The Fresch Music store in Columbus, Ohio opened in 1969 and became one of the first great mall store successes in the music products industry.

Larry Moody began his career in the music industry as a retailer working for Ziggy Coyle in Ohio. The store was owned by Ziggy, a past president of the NAMM Board of Directors, and Russell Hill. The retail experience was helpful to Larry, who was hired by Yamaha and later by the Gemeinhart Flute Company in Elkhart, Indiana. During his career in Elkhart he took part in the development of several new products and models, many of which are still produced by the company today. 

Tom Ostrander is the founder of Colonial Music in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Now a string of stores, the retail company began with the simple idea of providing top quality instruments to the area school programs. He was born in Phoneton, Ohio, which is in Miami County, and was encouraged to play music by his parents. He played in the school bands and sought to become a music director. Along the way, he developed an understanding of what school directors needed and what they didn’t need.

Jerry Pellegrino wanted to own a business ever since he was a kid, so when the opportunity arose to start his own music store, he jumped at the chance. With a small loan and the help of several local school band directors, Jerry started serving the orchestra programs in the Canton, Ohio area. Over time the store expanded to serve larger band and orchestra programs in and around the Canton area. During that time Jerry found his reputation was spreading to programs around the state and even outside Ohio. 

Dan Vedda grew up playing music. As an arranger and trumpeter he gained a respected reputation in the Westlake area of Ohio. After working for a music retailer in town he was encouraged by a music teacher friend to open his own store –so he did. Skyline Music--the name comes from his rock band the Skyliners--brought Dan’s great knowledge of music and business together. He focused on the often-forgotten customer of music stores, the music teacher. In 1996 he became a regular columnist for the Music and Sound Retailer.