Music Retail

Mary Garbrecht is in the envious position to experience the moment when a child makes their first sound on an instrument! As the educational road rep for Quinlan & Fabish, a music store chain in the greater Chicago area, she calls on many of the local stores representing her branch store in Arlington Heights. She grew up in a family that participated in music making, in fact, her parents and siblings formed a brass band that played at local events and weddings. When George Quinlan offered her the job in 2006 she jumped at the chance to work with band directors, as she had expe

Rodrigo Garcia recalls the day his father bought him his first bass. It changed his life. He later went on the road to play professionally and toured with Alexander Silver throughout Chile. Rodrigo can be seen and heard playing on the 2005 Alejandro Silva Live DVD, which was recorded on one of their gigs during the tour. He later realized what he wanted to do most was bring the joy of a new instrument to young musicians, just as his first bass brought to him. In 2010, Rodrigo opened a small bass retail shop in Chile, Overdrive Guitar & Bass Shop, not far from where he grew up.

Paul Garcia along with his brother Fred and sister Lucy formed a group called The Garcia’s. Since they all sang and played from an early age, and were always encouraged by their father, it was natural for them to harmonize together. Paul’s passion for music further developed while playing in school bands, his brother’s bands and a group called The Scoundrels, which backed up the Sandpipers on Broadway in New York City. For a time he worked at Haley’s Lighting Sound before meeting Ron Harris who owned a music store in Pensacola. Paul managed Harris Music for a decade before working

Mark Gardner, currently a co-owner of Naperville Music near Chicago, was a working musician who needed a day job, so he joined the company in 1985. Learning from a NAMM seminar in the early 1980s, Mark emphasized the importance of customer satisfaction to grow the store’s business. Starting with guitars, drums and lessons, Naperville Music expanded into band instruments and acoustic pianos. They purchased a strip mall and constructed a 9,000-square-foot space, allowing them to serve multiple markets and adapt to fluctuations. Maintaining strong relationships with suppliers like Gi

Jim Garrett had music and art engrained in his life at young age. Garrett found playing music was a great way to break out of his shell when he was young. His first job was at Best Buy and from there he became the Department Supervisor for their Audio Department. He later became the District Trainer for Audio Products at Best Buy. Later, he began working at Harman Electronics as Product Manager and currently manages all of their marketing and product development. Throughout his 20+ years in consumer electronics, Garret has dabbled in the mass-retail, specialty retail, and manufact

Larry Garris is the founder of Corner Music in Nashville, Tennessee. Located in the heart of the country music region, Corner Music has become the place to purchase the latest gear and to listen to some great music. Over the years, Larry has developed long-lasting relationships with many of the local recording studios and their engineers. If there is a last minute need, Corner Music is the place to go.

Scott Gauthier is the Repair Shop Manager for the Arlington Heights location of Quinlan & Fabish, a chain of music stores in the greater Chicago area. Scott was encouraged by his mother to play a musical instrument and while still in grade school, Scott gravitated toward the saxophone. He played throughout high school and college at which point he sought to learn more about his instrument and how to repair it. Scott attended the Band Instrument Repair School in Red Wing, Minnesota in 2003.

Russ Gazda recalls listening to his mother playing the Hawaiian Guitar as a child. He played the accordion and later was introduced to the Hammond B-3, thanks to recordings by his hero Booker T. Jones. Russ sought to play wherever he could and in his early days he performed in lounges in the Chicago area, provided organ lessons and worked at the Wurlitzer retail store. He soon began selling organs at the store and in 1975 was hired by Wurlitzer to provide materials for their famous sales training program. The Wurlitzer Way program is legendary within the music industry as many of

Tim Gee grew up in the vibrant music community of Covington, Indiana, where his mother encouraged him to explore the world of music. His passion for percussion flourished in the school bands, known for their robust programs and inspiring directors. Tim's journey into the music business truly began during college, when he was mentored by the legendary music educator Jim Slutz, who was instrumental in guiding him into a career in the music products industry. Mr. Slutz's mentorship opened doors for Tim, including his first NAMM show and job in the industry.

Richard Gellis remembers the early days of the vintage guitar movement when greater value was being placed on "used instruments."  As his small store grew in Santa Cruz, California, so did his reputation for knowledge and customer services that helped make Union Grove Music the go-to place for specialty fretted instruments.

Barbara Gensmer established herself as one of the top church organ dealers in the United States, having sold and installed over 1,200 units since the 1970s. She focused on Minnesota and Wisconsin, and stayed loyal to the Rodgers Instrument Company for most of her career. In 1991, when Rodgers introduced an organ with MIDI, Barbara took the time to become an expert, so she could better serve her customers. Over the years, she has stayed informed on all of the features and upgrades for the same reason, to better fulfill the needs of the churches who entrust her with the task of find

Wilhelm Gertz was often seen working on the action of a vintage grand piano whenever you stopped to visit him in his store. After all, he has been doing this same thing most of his life. He was born into a family in Germany who ran the largest piano company in the country. He learned the craft, which he proudly passed along to his son. The W. Gertz Piano Company was located in New Haven, Connecticut, where his son carries on the family traditions.  

Eleanor Giacoletti began playing piano as a child. While in college, studying music education, she realized she had a strong passion for providing meaningful lessons to young students. In 1978, she attended a Yamaha Music School program and talked her husband, Bob, into opening a music school. The school soon branched out into retail and continues to serve the Carlsbad, California music community. 

Bob Giacoletti and his wife Eleanor opened a small music school in 1978 that soon took on a line of instruments and accessories to become a full line retail store. The store moved to downtown Carlsbad, California in 1982. A year later Bob hired a young man named Roy Good who was interested in selling guitars in the store. Roy continues to the manage the store today alongside Bob's grandson. The store is thought by many to be a key factor in the resurgence of the ukulele in the early 2000 and continues to offer free uke lessons every Saturday.  

Craig Gigax’s father Richard C. Gigax was a legend in the industry, working for such prestigious companies as Jenkins Music, and Aeolian. Most notable was his long and varied career with Steinway & Sons,  beginning in 1960 and culminating in his service as Vice President of Sales. Richard Gigax founded Meridian Music Company in Indianapolis in 1988 and after his passing in 1995, Craig made the decision to leave his career in semiconductor sales to follow in his father’s legendary footsteps.

Harry Gillum was interviewed for the NAMM Oral History program during the Stay-At-Home Orders for Covid-19 in June 2020. His interview was recorded on Zoom and captured his remarkable career in music retail and his contributions to our industry. Harry was just 16 years old in 1971 when he began working at a local music store. About a year and a half later he began to sell instruments for the store and after his first grand piano sale he was hooked. Harry dedicated his career to music retail ever since. In 1991 he had the opportunity to open his own store, Showtime Music in Bridgep

Simon Gilson and Terry Hope represent more than the new era of powerhouse music retailers in the world, they represent a refreshingly new approach to old and standard methods of selling. As founders of the Professional Music Technology (PMT) chain of stores, Simon and Terry speak with pride about their training classes for employees and their dedication to service. In all of their business successes, it is clear that their friendship is a key part of their own satisfaction and pride.  

Ernesto Gittli was born in Uruguay and moved to the U.S. as a small boy before he began taking piano lessons. He met his wife, who also taught music, and together they envisioned a music school that would encourage all ages to become music makers. Gittli Music opened in the mid- 1960s with a strong focus on providing parents with an education regarding why music is important to their child long before “music makes you smarter” was ever a slogan.

Walter Glaßl is leading the Walter Geipel Company known for producing rosin for string instruments in Bubenreuth, now in the third generation. The company was founded 1908 by Walter Geipel in Kirchberg close to the town of Schönbach, historically a major center of violin making. Walter Glaßl’s father Ferdinand Glaßl married into the Geipel family. The company relocated to Bubenreuth in 1953 and flourished continuing the production of high quality rosins and adding the manufacturing of pick guards and plectra. Walter Glaßl nurtures a close relationship with the musicians who use hi

Sarah Glew began her career in the music industry by selling records in a small store just south of San Francisco in Pacifica, California.  Over time she added musical instruments and found that guitars were a great seller in the heyday of the Beatles and the British Rock Invasion.   As the store grew, Sarah continued to look for new products she could carry and as a result pioneered many new products as well as supporting some fades over the years such as selling tape recorders in the mid-1960s.  The store also expanded into band instruments as well as sheet music.  Sarah provide

Duncan Goff was a band director in Mississippi for 33 years. His first teaching job, at a junior high school, showed Duncan he was in the right line of work as it was a meaningful experience. When an opening for a band director at Madison Central High School in Madison, Mississippi became available, Duncan jumped at the chance to teach at one of the leading schools in the state. He remained at Madison Center for 22 years. In between his teaching, Duncan took three years to serve as a school road rep for Mississippi Music, which he enjoyed.

Sandy Goff, co-owner of Paige's Music, has had many first-hand experiences witnessing the importance of music education in the lives of young students as well as the passion for music so common with those who work in the music products industry. As the First Lady of NAMM, when her husband, Mark, served as the Chairman of the Board, Sandy traveled around the world and discovered everywhere they went she met people in the music industry doing what they do with the same passion and dedication that she saw in her husband and her staff.

Mark Goff was ready to work for a musical instrument manufacturer after college when he was told that he needed retail experience. Impressed with the idea and eager to learn all he could he applied to work at Paige’s Music in Indiana. Mark enjoyed working with the owner, past NAMM Chairman Warner Paige, and the vibe of the music store. Mark later followed in Mr. Paige’s footsteps serving on the NAMM Board and EXCOM. He also served as president of NASMD

Greg Gohde's love for violins and bow making began in college and soon became his life's work. He moved to San Diego from Chicago, where he opened a repair shop and crafted handmade bows. His store expanded over time into Classic Bows, a world-renowned location for violin goods and services. The store grew in scope and in reach when his wife, Lois, came on board full time in the 1990s. The couple retired in 2017, yet Greg continues to consult and to teach the art of bow making.

Etienne Goilo has played an important role in supporting Curaçao’s music community as both a musician and music retailer. As the current owner of Instrucur, the store founded by Tom Smeulders, Etienne has continued its legacy as a gathering place for local players and a trusted source for musical instruments and gear. Having grown up within the island’s close-knit music scene, he developed strong relationships with fellow musicians—many of whom he considers not just customers, but friends. For Etienne, running the store has been as much about community as commerce, and he has take

Jon Gold grew up playing in area bands and hanging out in local stores.  He soon was able to answer customer's questions about guitars hanging on the walls and found he was offered a job.  He later worked for the Fender Sound House in London and his love for the industry grew as did his knowledge of the instruments and products.  Jon connected with guitar pioneer Grover Jackson who was looking to create a new company based on a new guitar design.  So, Grover Jackson and Jon Gold formed GJ2 Guitars in 2011!

Stu Goldberg established Marina Music in San Francisco at the beginning of the guitar boom.  The folk music craze was in full swing and the Beatles just hit the USA and within a few months Stu opened his own music store.  His small store had a very big impact on the music industry and soon became a hang-out for Bay Area musicians.  Stu joined the circus when he was a teenager and knew how to talk to people and how to work a deal.  He was a pioneer in traveling to Japan in the 1960s to create working arrangements with several guitar makers who would then supply Stu with a range of

Norman Goldberg studied music from an early age and became a band director early in his life. Seeing the needs of music educators, Norman opened his own store called Baton Music in 1948, in St. Louis, MO. A year later he began working with German composer Carl Orff (1895-1982) and Orff’s unique and influential method of music education for children. Norman set out to create a company that would provide the instruments for the Orff programs as well as the music. In 1964, Norman established the publishing side of his business, Magnamusic-Baton Inc., known as MMB.

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 them up for playability but also by his vast knowledge of each guitar brand and model.  His own store, Bizarre Guitar, opened its doors in 1975 in Reno and has since developed into one of the leading retailers in both vintage and used instruments and gear.  Greg’s personal passion just se

Jerry Goldenson has always had a love for music growing up and has many fond memories of playing drums in clubs and weddings as early as 12 years old. He later toured and recorded with many bands over the years but found a home in the music industry in a retail music store as his day job at Pianos N’ Stuff Music. That was the start of a musical journey that married his business acumen and education with his love of music. As with many of our leaders, working in retail was only the beginning.

Jerry Goldman's father, Harry, opened a wholesale piano business inside Marshall Field's Department store in Chicago with his brother back in 1947. Just over a decade later, Harry and his wife, Rita, moved out to California to open their own piano store while kept his roots from the department store and called the new store "Fields Piano". Jerry and his brothers grew up in the business and took great pride in continuing the business that his parents established. Jerry officially came on board in 1974, just five years before his parents sold the store to their three children.

Jon Goldman is the great-grandson of the founder of Goldman's Pawn Shop in Evansville, Indiana. He grew up listening to stories of how the store began and how it grew over the years. There was even a time, in the summer of 1965, when Jon worked in the family store. The store opened in 1899 and a few years later moved into its current location, a building which was once a carriage company. Jon pursued his interest in the law, becoming a local lawyer, but always had an interest in the family’s retail business. Jon recalled many fascinating stories, including the time Tom Hanks came