Harry Sparks

Video

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Job Title
Former Owner
Company Name
Famous Old Time Music Company

Harry Sparks is the founder of the Famous Old Time Music Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. Harry grew up in the folk and bluegrass era of the 1960s and joined a band at a young age. Over the years he began repairing instruments, at first for his band mates and friends, which led to him opening the store. For some time, Harry made his own line of banjos, which were modeled after the vintage instruments of the 1920s and 30s. He studied architecture in college and made a career of it while always having a hand in music. His career as an architect joined with his passion for music retail when George Gruhn asked Harry for help moving Gruhn Guitars in Nashville from Broadway to their location on 8th Avenue.