Music Retail

Stan Keyawa has grown up in the Professional Drum Shop in Hollywood, California.  He and his two brothers run the store that his step-father, Bob Yeager, opened in 1959.  What makes the store unique is its personality, which was crafted from the family that runs it and the gear they sell, as well as the many characters who have become loyal customers.  The customer list is really a who’s who of the drum world and Stan is proud to point out that they treat each person who walks in the doors as family.  If you have not been in the shop, it’s a must!  

Jim Kidder had already worked in music retail for several years when he was given the chance to take over the band instrument division and form his own business. Since then, Kidder Music has become well-known and beloved by students and band directors alike. Jim’s strong support for school programs has helped pioneer the way the industry works together with schools and directors to encourage strong local awareness and growth. He was also an early member of NASMD and has often presented his views and ideas to support and educate school music dealers at their annual conference.

Ede Kidder was teaching full time when her husband came home from his job at a music store with the idea of owning their own store.  Luckily for Jim, Ede jumped in with her many skills to make the store a success.  She took over as the book keeper and played a vital role in the growth and development of the staff over the years.  Jim and Ede also are long time NASMD members and have been supporters of music advocacy and educational programs since the early days of their business.

Kurt Killon’s lifelong passion for music began with childhood piano lessons, sparking a deep love not only for performing but also for inspiring others to become musicians. He spent a decade as a dedicated band director across elementary, middle, and high school levels, an experience that gave him firsthand appreciation for the critical role retail road reps play in supporting music educators and students. Hired by the legendary Alto Tatum, young Kurt found his perfect niche as a road rep, traveling extensively through East Texas—so often, in fact, he proudly claimed to know every

Paul Kimbarow grew up in the west side of the Bronx in NYC. He first started playing drums after seeing conga players in the streets of New York and being fascinated by it. The conga players would let him sit in, and he instantly knew that this was what he wanted to do with his life. He went on to play with Woodstock legend and American rock n roll group Sha Na Na in 2002. 

Jim Kincaid has fond memories of his father singing and playing his guitar. Jim’s father was the folk singer and publisher, Bradley Kincaid, who helped pioneer folk music on the radio in the 1920s and 30s, throughout the Midwest and the New England area. His father retired from his music career at the Grand Ole Opry in 1950 and purchased a music store in Springfield, Ohio in 1955, which was later renamed Kincaid Music. Jim joined the store in 1959 after completing his college education and a period in the Air Force. A new location was built in 1971, which is the current location o

Steven Kinchen dreamed of playing music ever since he was a small child.  When he had a chance to work in the music industry following his music degree in college, Steven jumped at the chance. Thanks to a professor’s recommendation, Steven visited with Dan Hall, the founder of Hall Piano Company in Metairie, Louisiana.  Mr. Hall offered him a job and the rest is history!  Among his first duties with the store when he arrived in early 1990 was to develop the synthesizer department.  From that experience, the store began a long and successful relationship with the Kurzweil Company. 

Ricia King as a child took piano lessons from the mother of future Yamaha Marketing Manager Roger Eaton (fun fact). Ricia has always loved music and because she grew up in her father’s Kawasaki motorcycle dealership, she always enjoyed the interaction with customers. So when her husband Dan sprang the idea of opening a music store, she was all in. The store has expanded into wholesaling its own brand of instruments and accessories under Fidelis Musical Instruments (yes, Dan was in the US Marines)! At the core of the business is their love and passion for helping students and band

Dan King was exposed to music at a young age. His brother played in band and as soon as he could, Dan himself began playing trumpet in his school band. He joined the US Marines and while serving his country, he learned the craft of band instrument repair. He also had several great playing opportunities including a gig for President Bush and his work on the Cartoon Network. After his military service, Dan began repairing instruments out of his home before he and his wife decided to open a music store. He credits his wife with her business knowledge and the local band directors for

Charles Kitch formed Sound Productions, Inc. in Irving, Texas in 1973.  With the slogan, the "the Soundman's Connection," Charles has helped pioneer the pro audio industry from the early days.  Over the years he was on the front lines as innovations and trends changed within the industry and was often first to offer advice and support to those seeking help.  As the reputation for customer care grew, so did the business.  It is not uncommon for sound engineers to travel from all over to the Dallas area just to see Charles and his team.

Kris Kjeldgaard finished her degree with a music major and a minor in business and went job seeking. She was not sure what the direction of her career would take and in fact, looking back, did not see what was to come. She interviewed for a job at Roper Music and soon was hired. She tried her hand on the road calling on school band directors for the Grand Junction, Colorado-based store, but discovered quickly she was much better suited for paperwork and running the office. Along the way, the owner of the store, John Handley, taught Kris the art and craft of string instrument repai

James Kleeman was called the “Professor” around the NAMM headquarters. He was thought of respectfully for his role in establishing NAMM’s professional development department. While serving as NAMM’s President from 1983-1985, Jim played a significant role in establishing the way NAMM served its members. Jim was a music educator and owner of Karnes Music in Illinois. He was the second person interviewed for the NAMM Oral History program back on July 19, 2000. James Kleeman passed away on September 18, 2000.  

Spike Klein thanks his sister and her love of Van Halen for bringing music into his life. Their father made guitars for them out of plywood but pretending to be musicians soon turned into the real thing when Spike was drawn to the drums. He played drums and percussion in school and was given his first kit, which was purchased from Sears. In 1999 Spike was hired at The Magic Flute and enjoyed being surrounded by the music community right away. Within four years he rose to management and later took on even more responsibilities when new owners took over the business in 2010.

Tim Kletti is a passionate music maker who has played guitar in dynamic rock bands most of his life. He has found his dream day job as Vice President of Music Go Round while still playing energetic gigs on nights and weekends! His passion came simply by being exposed to a wide range of musical styles growing up and having an insatiable interest in exploring the playing techniques of his musical heroes. A critical moment for Tim came in 1976 when the band Kiss performed on Paul Lynde’s Halloween television special.

Betty Kline was getting a little tired of running to town for band accessories when her husband, a music director, needed something for his students.  What started out being a large box of accessories in her home developed into some of the key band and orchestra music stores in the Sacramento area!  She worked long and hard at building the business, which today includes her two daughters and several grandchildren!  “I am proud of what I was able to do because it helps my family.”  Betty and her daughter Penny were interviewed for the NAMM Oral History program on the heels of the s

Penny Kline grew up in the music business as her mother was the founder of Kline Music in Sacramento, California and her father was a band director in area schools.  When her father needed musical accessories for his students he asked his wife to run downtown to the music store.  After months of this she had the idea of going into business herself, which in 1963 resulted in the opening of Kline Music!  Penny is a manager for the store and works alongside her sister who teaches music as well as her daughter.    

Lauri Knapton is the founder of Knapton Musik Knotes in Janesville, Wisconsin. The store, which was established in 2000, provides musical instruments, lessons, and a long list of community outreach programs such as Rock Camp and Uke Circles. Lauri has been passionate about music since she began taking violin lessons at the age of four. It was while working for a music store during high school, she realized she enjoyed marketing and thought of nothing she wanted to promote more than music making as she understood the benefits first hand. The store began as a Lowrey dealer, which pr

Arthur Knopp is the founder of the music retail shop in Germany that carries his name (Musihaus Arthur Knopp in Saarbrucken). His passion for the industry has not only made his own store a success, but has resulted in many positions in a variety of organizations that have assisted in the growth and expansion of the German music market. As president of the German Music Retail Association (Gesamtverband Deutscher Musikfachgeschafte) Arthur has played a vital role in the association’s successful educational programs launched in the late 1990s.

Kim Koch has fond memories of driving to the family’s music store with her father, Bob Saied, and learning from him about the business side of the company. That inspiration stayed with her as she went to college and studied classical singing. When the time was right, she moved back to Tulsa and joined her father, running the store her grandfather established. While managing the company, Kim continues to put in practice the lessons she learned both from her father and grandfather, leading to the company’s longevity and success.

Bob Kohl was hired by Music & Arts in Maryland just before turning sixteen years old and has been in the industry ever since that time.  The store was located in the local mall and he began working within the sheet music department, an area of the industry he would soon fall in love with and remain.  Bob was later hired by Columba Music Publishing to work in their Miami office to transfer over the Belwin inventory, following the acquisition of Belwin Music Publishing by Columbia Music.  Bob moved to Ward Music in Canada and remained with the four store company until it was pur

Seah Kok Hwa was born in Malaysia and wanted to make music when he first heard the Beatles. His uncle gave young Seah a guitar and he learned to play some of his favorite songs. After working in the oil business for many years, he decided it was time to return to the roots of his passion. As a result, he opened his own music store, Sandman Guitar Centre, in 2008. That same year he attended the NAMM Show and gathered ideas from the Idea Center sessions as well as what he learned from visiting local Los Angeles area stores. Those ideas helped Seah to create a special vibe in his sto

David Kolacny has a remarkable family history steeped in bringing music to others. His grandfather took over a small music store in Denver in 1930 and since that time the store and its staff have served music makers of all ages. His father focused on string instrument repairs such as upright basses and David too found his own niche in harps. In addition to selling, repairing, and even designing artwork for harps, David currently serves as President of the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen.

Debra Kolacny began playing the organ at the age of eight, not knowing a life of music was ahead of her. She joined her junior high school band as a percussionist and in high school focused on theater arts, where she met her future husband, David. His grandfather started Kolacny Music in Denver, which David would later take over as president. Debra and David were married in 1976 and she focused on a ten-plus-year career in banking. When the music store was switching from paper records to the computer, Debra was asked to join the team to oversee the big project. She never left!

Stan Kolb is the president of Taylor Music in Aberdeen, South Dakota.  He joined the company in the early 1970s and has since helped develop the various elements of the business over time.  Their repair shop and wholesale business covers most of the United States while their retail shop focuses on their local market.  With a strong band and orchestra base, Taylor Music has built a strong reputation among schools for strong service and quality repairs and products, a factor for which Stan is very proud.


Don Koller cut his teeth in the print music business at Wingert-Jones working for Frank Fendorf. While there, Don oversaw and controlled the inventory, picked the material for many of the store's well-received reading sessions and mailed choral music packets to some 50,000 Methodist churches at one point.  In 1988 he started his own company, American Music, and later formed The Musicians Choice, again specializing in choral music, which he loves.    

Akira Komaki recalled the early days of his grandfather’s career as a Japanese retailer. Akira took over the company from his father, the eldest son of his grandfather. Komaki Music opened its doors in 1931 and has since become a part of the Tokyo landscape. Akira has studied the American music retailers and provided an impressive comparison of how he has seen them charge over the years.  

Irena Komatar was the founder and president of the Lastra Company, located in the country of Slovenia. What started out as a small music retail store quickly grew into both retailing and wholesaling of musical products. Irena’s goal was to create top service for her customers, both musicians who walked into her store as well as fellow music dealers in her country that she calls on as a wholesaler. She had a special drive to provide the best customer service possible and often provided lessons for free to those who count not afford them. Irena sadly passed away at the age of 52 fro

Don Kong is the manager of Music Village in San Jose, California.  Don worked for a few other music companies before begging to be hired by the store's founder, Joe Teixeina, in the early 1990s.  Don has worked alongside Joe, who established Music Village in 1964, and has worked hard to maintain the same level of customer service Joe worked hard to create.  Don is also a great example of the dedicated team worker who helps bring a family feeling to Music Village!  

Angela Koregelos grew up playing the flute and taking lessons from her father, George Koregelos. George owned his own retail store and Angela has fond memories of working alongside her father. George also founded Koregelos Flutes, as well as HW Products. Angela went on to study flute at the New England Conservatory, and is currently the President of HW Products. She told us in her Oral History interview what it was like working alongside her father and now what it’s like taking control of the legacy her father created.

Ted Kornblum has a long legacy in the music industry. His grandfather started St. Louis Street Music and his father started Crate amplifiers and Alvarez guitars. Not content to rest on his laurels, Ted gained experience working both inside and outside his family’s music business before starting on his “B”plan. After browsing through old dealer catalogs, Ted came across an old amplifier Magnatone. Seeing an opportunity, Ted set about restoring and improving the old amp line, bringing it into the modern age. Magnatone now stands as a full line, firmly ensconced in the pantheon of bo

Kay Koster was a pioneering woman retail owner, who not only successfully ran a business on her own beginning in 1940, she also personally repaired guitars and amps of all makes and models for decades – even after she closed her retail store. Koster Guitar Center in Rockford, IL was primarily a guitar store; perhaps the first such store in the country. As the Fender line developed, Kay was one of the first dealers in the state and soon became an expert of electric guitar repairs. In addition to her career in the industry, Kay was also a respected guitarist, first in the big bands

Roger Kraft was a pioneer in the retailing of electronic musical instruments such as keyboards and synthesizers in the 1980s.  Many may recall the days of keyboard stores throughout the United States in the early days of MIDI, when innovative keyboards were the craze.  With a background in electronics and music, Roger not only sold these creative products, but often would modify instruments to fit his own needs as a musician.  The keyboard store was the launching pad for a fuller musical retail store called Kraft Music, which he is always proud to point out is currently run by his