Music Retail Podcast

Cosmo Music has blown my mind ever since I first heard of them at the NAMM Top 100 Awards! One of the largest interactive music stores in the world - there is lots to learn from this episode.

Leslie and I talk about how IMC came to be, the difficulties she has with dealing with all of the COVID stuff, the difficulties of starting a store from scratch, and so much more! 

So, what’s it like for someone with only a high school education (and a guitar player, no less) to take over one of the top music retail businesses in Nebraska? What lessons did he learn along the way to pay off millions in debt and keep growing? Take a listen to find out!

Sweetwater is on track to soon be a billion dollar business - one with almost no debt, a terrific reputation in the industry and with customers. How did Chuck do it? And how is he managing his business during the COVID pandemic of 2020? Plus, like a good box of Raisin Bran, there are TWO SCOOPS of new parts of the Sweetwater story unveiled in this episode! Listen and be the first to know what’s coming next for this super giant!

Candyman Strings & Things was one of the first business in our industry forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. How did this NAMM Dealer of the Year award winner handle this crisis?

This episode is one of the most insightful and thought provoking episodes yet! Listen up!

Want to hear of a crazy way to do group lessons? How about how to recruit for new employees? Want to hear embarrassing stories about me? Then stay tuned!

Why would you put an $8,000 guitar in a beginner's hands? What's the advantage of group lessons over private? When's the right time to close a lesson sale? Listen and learn!

Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business. 

From humble beginnings to a major player in the school music scene in Chicago, Frank Pampenella has guided PM Music Center to annual growth year after year. 

Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business. 

This episode we discuss leadership, what to do when you've hit the ceiling, how to get the most out of your video content, and so much more. If you'd like video or marketing help, reach out to gabe at Gabriel@upperhandstudios.com or visit his website Upperhandstudios.com. 

Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business. 

Topics include:Family business succession, college education for retail store owners, rental growth through aquisition and how to keep those new customers, finding road reps, the RTO changes in the 90s, the value of value brands, long range planning, and how to make the most of your NAMM show. Whew! 

Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business. 

In this conversation with Michael we discuss how to build a thriving lesson program that surpasses the competition. 

Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business. 

Do you ever feel as if there’s a bottleneck at your store? Your staff is constantly coming to you with questions, complaints and concerns, and you start to develop “decision fatigue.” (It’s a real thing—look it up.) This is one of the biggest reasons businesses fail to grow. Don’t be the lid on your organization! In this presentation, Will Mason of Mason Music will cover four basic but incredibly effective techniques that will help you better train and empower your team to run the business for you. Mason leads a team of 60 people at four different locations, and he attributes his company’s growth to developing this team to lead. Discover how to step out of the daily grind and focus on the big picture, creating opportunity for long-term planning, goal setting and business growth. 

Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business. 

Yet ANOTHER interview from a NAMM Top 100 Dealer of the Year! Cindy and Rand Cook share their thoughts, insights, and the challenges they see in our industry and in running their business as it celebrates it’s 50th Anniversary. 

Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business. 

Lauren has a great story - she’s a busy wife and mom, NAMM board member, and, of course, music store owner. Her full line music store is beautiful, and she has built a terrific business. 

Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business. 

Today's conversation with Menzie covers authenticity, competing against big-box stores and franchises, and being involved with the NAMM fly-in for music advocacy.

Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business.

In this episode, Tristann Rieck, owner of Brass Bell Music in Milwaukee, WI talks about dealing with ownership transitions in a generational business, coming back from bankruptcy, and why you should be doing more with music advocacy.

Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Springfield Music, Inc - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business.

Do you want to know what metrics matter most in your business? Then you will definitely want to listen to this! Randy is one of the smartest people in our industry, and I was delighted to get to speak with him for this interview.

We always hear how service makes a difference, but most retailers just give this lip service without really creating services that set you apart from a crowd. Today you can hear how Robert Christie has done just that.

Do you want to learn how to get your team more involved with your business? Want to learn how to pull of an event so huge it earns a Guiness Record? Then you will definitely want to listen to this!