Organ Exchange

Curt Carter was in the right place at the right time. As a piano dealer, he watched the boom of the home market explode during the late 1960s and 70s. He pooled his resources, teamed with organ suppliers and established Organ Exchange. The chain of retail stores, particularly those which dominated the California market, changed the entire face of the organ market with discounts, promotional sales and musical events free to the public. Organ Exchange became a highly successful company based on the method of selling and advertising, which was created by Curt and later enhanced by Ro

Robert Hill became the president of the Organ Exchange shortly after it was established by Curt Carter. Together the two men worked long and hard at creating a business model that helped advance the organ boom of the 1970s in America. The chain, largely based in Southern California, drew upon the vast public appeal of the instrument by offering free lessons, providing free performances at their locations and giving promotional packages that would include sheet music and method books. Robert continued with Curt on their business ventures after the great organ boom was over by estab

Tom Miller began his career in the piano business at Jordan Kitts Music in Bethesda, Maryland in 1976. His father had purchased a Hammond organ from the same company in 1960, and at age 6 Tom started music lessons. Tom began working on the manufacturing side of the industry in 1977, first as an artist, then in sales with Kimball, Lowrey, Yamaha and as Vice President of Young Chang America. Tom was a Senior Vice President and became President and COO for Curt Carter’s Organ Exchange, the largest retailer of electronic home organs in the world.

Bob Rosenthal began his career in the music business working with Curt Carter and Bob Hill in San Diego.  The Organ Exchange was the learning grounds for Bob and many other salesmen who went on to form their own stores around the country.  Bob later worked for Accent Music in Arcadia before helping to build the piano brand Young Chang in America.  In 1988, Bob was among a very small number of pioneering retailers who targeted the growing synthesizer and keyboard marketing by opening a store dedicated to electronic musical instruments.  The store was Keyboard City, located in Dalla

Robert Zadel spent nearly 50 years in the organ business working with two of the biggest names in the industry. Bob spent 12 years working as the marketing director for the Conn Organ division during the heyday of the electronic organ.  He later played a major role in Curt Carter’s Organ Exchange chain. Bob and famed organ artist Carol Jones were married for over 40 years and became one of the “celebrity couples” of the music industry. His NAMM Oral History interview was completed on February 1, 2006.