Springfield Music, Inc., has announced its acquisition of Fazio’s Music in St. Louis MO. The transaction, which was completed on February 11, marks the second company to be purchased in the past six months. According to Springfield Music Vice President Donovan Bankhead, the decision to add Fazio’s Music to Springfield Music’s family of businesses is part of its strategic plan to “provide a fun, full-service experience for our customers throughout Missouri and the surrounding states.” Fazio’s, founded in 1978, is a retail music store based in St. Louis, with the majority of its merchandise comprising guitars and guitar accessories.
“The huge selection of instruments is something you have to see to believe. Plus, the staff there is literally one of the finest groups of people you’ll find in any music store,” said Bankhead. “They are all extremely knowledgeable, friendly and passionate about what they do.” Under new ownership, the already-broad instrument selection will grow to include school band and orchestra sales and rentals, expanding its current market into the educational and church facilities in the St. Louis area.
“We are excited moving forward, using the existing legacy Mike Fazio created and adding new elements to the picture,” Fazio’s General Manager James Gast said. “Our addition to the Springfield Music family is truly an amazing opportunity, considering the different strengths each of the four stores brings to the table.”
Springfield Music, Inc., currently operates the following Missouri retail music stores: Springfield Music in Springfield; Ernie Williamson Music in Joplin; Funky Munky Music in Shawnee; and now Fazio’s Music in St. Louis.

Multi-platinum recording artist Brian “Head” Welch, formerly of Korn, stopped by the House of Guitars in Rochester NY earlier this year in support of his latest release, Love and Death’s “Between Here and Lost.” His February 27 visit marked his third time stopping by the store to greet fans and sign autographs at a free event. Welch, currently signed to Tooth & Nail Records, has turned his efforts to the Christian metal scene and has been inspiring his fans, both old and new. He released his New York Times bestseller, Save Me From Myself, to critical acclaim and is currently touring with his new band. The House of Guitars wishes its good friends Brian Welch and his band mates good luck on their ventures and the rest of the tour.

Rick and Robin Santos, Dan Griffin and Mark Carvalho.

Guitar student Dan Griffin of Taunton MA was honored as Raynham MA-based Rick’s Music World’s first “Student of the Decade,” announced in front of a full house at its Annual VIP Holiday Student Bash event. Presenting the award were Griffin’s guitar teacher of 10 years, Mark Carvalho, plus Rick and Robin Santos, Owners of Rick’s Music World, Ltd. Griffin, an 18-year-old senior at Taunton High School, is the first recipient of this prestigious award. Griffin was presented with a Student-of-the-Decade Plaque, a gift certificate for $200 and an official Rick’s T-shirt.

Dan Griffin’s first recital, age seven.

Carvalho described Griffin’s accomplishments to the large crowd, composed of music students and their families. His achievements during 11 years of intense private guitar study, plus supplemental study of piano, laid solid groundwork for his expansion into performance and collaboration with other musicians. Through the years, he gained experience performing onstage at Rick’s Music through recitals and open mic. Participating in three seasons of Summer Jam Camp provided him with coached experience organizing, playing and singing in bands, culminating in live concert performances.

Carvalho said, “Dan first came to me at the age of seven years old and, from that very first day, Dan’s enthusiasm and desire to learn the guitar has never waned. Over the years, I have watched Dan grow, both as a musician and as an individual. I’ve always admired his extreme desire to learn and develop his skills, becoming an accomplished guitarist able to play any style of music with perfection.” Susan Griffin, his mother, added, “When Dan started going to Rick’s, he found others who loved music as much as he did. My husband and I are so grateful to Rick’s Music World for providing such a great and positive experience for our son.”

According to Rick Santos, “Taking advantage of all the additional opportunities presented to him here at Rick’s built Dan’s skill set, repertoire and, profoundly, his self-confidence.” Carvalho continued, “As a result, he is pursuing music education as his chosen career path, setting his sights for placement in one of the area’s highly respected music programs at distinguished universities, such as Berklee College of Music, U Mass Dartmouth and Rhode Island College.” Santos added, “He’s worked hard and we’re all just so proud of him.”

The ground floor of the new store will feature a larger showroom, allowing the store to display its full inventory of vintage, used and new instruments, as well as providing additional space for instrument trial rooms and an appraisal inspection area. The 2nd floor will include a high-end showroom, administrative offices and instrument case storage. The top level will house Gruhn Guitars’ repair shop, shipping and receiving, and a photography studio. Ample customer parking will be available on site.

“We are looking forward to moving to a larger building with a better floor layout and ample parking to permit us to provide a better environment for our customers to view and play our fine selection of vintage, used and new instruments,” said George Gruhn. “This is an exciting time for us. We will miss being next door to the Ryman Auditorium and other downtown landmarks, but our new location puts us within minutes of all these attractions, and is much closer to Music Row and numerous other music business enterprises. It will be a great new home for Gruhn Guitars.”

George Gruhn opened his first downtown location on 4th Ave. in January 1970 and moved the store to its second location at 410 Broadway six years later. Gruhn Guitars has been doing business in its current location at 400 Broadway since 1993.

The brand new storefront represents a significant evolution. The store will sell custom-made boutique guitars—many of them made in North Carolina—and drums, as well as the usual miscellaneous items that all musicians need, such as strings, picks, amps, cables and drumheads. But, the original article stressed, you probably shouldn’t come to the store expecting to find a Fender Telecaster or anything else you could grab at a big-box guitar store. And it’s also not the place to get a starter guitar for a kid. Prices range from $500 to $25,000, with the majority in the $1,000 to $2,000 range.

With regard to the rest of Sound Pure’s business, the recording studio is used for commercial work and by local musicians, such as Shirley Caesar, Nnenna Freelon and Clay Aiken. And, it functions on a retail level by showcasing everything the company sells—computers, microphones, speakers, furniture, cables, guitars and drums—for home recording studio types.

Both of them are musicians: He is a recorded singer/songwriter and guitarist, whereas she has a degree in piano from the New England Conservatory of Music. Understandably, then, music education will play a large role in the shop. In fact, when completed, Village Music will boast six onsite soundproof lesson rooms. The pair teaches lessons in each one’s respective instruments, and they’re looking for local instructors. The goal is to provide lessons in all instruments, as well as in vocals.

The store is stocked with an array of the latest products for musicians, encompassing guitars, basses, keyboards, amplifiers, PA gear, drums, percussion instruments, accessories and lesson books. Soon, the store will also be carrying band instruments and used instruments. And, as if that were not enough, the store also has an extensive ukulele selection and provides instruction on the popular instrument.

Village Music Wellington is at 10660 W. Forest Hill Blvd. #140.

Kinney explained to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune how the nurturing process works with his students. He said, “They come in here once a week for a band session and I’m with them. I’ll say, ‘Hey, let’s work on these three or four songs.’ So, we work on the parts and go through the songs. Sometimes, I’ll play guitar because, maybe, the guitar player can’t be there or someone else might blow it off.” After the bands hone their sound, they start playing at local restaurants, parks and carnivals. This year’s Battle of the Bands was held at the Oak Tree Festival at St. Dorothy Catholic Church in Glendora.

Chris Marquis, the festival’s Entertainment Director, said the three-day event draws big crowds and also features non-competing headline acts.

Tim’s OC Music’s specialization is school band rentals for clarinet, flute, sax, trumpet, trombone, violin and viola. Additionally, the store offers music lessons for piano, guitar, bass, drums and voice, as well as for band and orchestral instruments.

The original story quoted Gill as having said, “We have several brand new studios at our location where we teach the private lessons. We carry Ibanez guitars and Yamaha band instruments, and all the accessories you need for your instrument.” The Retailer wishes Tim’s OC Music the best of luck!