Music Retail Podcast

Donovan Bankhead
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Business

A podcast dedicated to instrumental music retailers, featuring interviews with the best retailers in our industry, as well as other leaders. Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Ernie Williamson Music - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business.

  1. 02/09/2025

    Navigating the Changing Landscape of Music Retail: My Candid Chat with Dave Simon

    In this special episode, I was interviewed by Dave Simon from Ensemble Performing Arts, and I couldn’t be more excited to share our conversation with you. We dive into the rich history of Ernie Williamson Music—from its humble beginnings in 1935 in Pittsburg, KS, to its evolution into a multi-location powerhouse serving generations of musicians. Dave and I explore everything from the origins of our iconic music store and its fascinating acquisition story, to the challenges and triumphs of marketing in today’s digital world. We also discuss the vital role of social media and e-commerce in modern retail, and I share personal insights on embracing technology and innovation, including the impact of AI on business decisions. I believe the stories and strategies we discussed on Dave’s podcast will resonate with the listeners of my podcast, offering a unique blend of nostalgia, practical marketing tips, and forward-thinking ideas. Tune in for an engaging, candid, and sometimes humorous look at how tradition and innovation come together in the ever-changing landscape of music retail. Dave's podcast can be found here: https://www.ensembleschools.com/blog/podcast/

  2. 11/26/2024

    From Small Space to Big Player: The Journey of Dave’s Guitar Shop

    In this conversation, Dave Rogers shares the journey of establishing and growing Dave's Guitar Shop, from its humble beginnings in a small space to becoming a significant player in the guitar retail market. He discusses the evolution of the business, the impact of the internet on sales, and the challenges faced over the years. Dave emphasizes the importance of company culture, the dynamics of his team, and the need for personal connections in retail. He reflects on the changing landscape of the guitar market and offers insights into the future of music retail. TAKEAWAYS Dave's Guitar Shop started in a small rented space in 1982. The early days involved trading and flipping guitars for profit. Company culture is built on passion for music and guitars. Online sales now account for over 70% of the business. Dave emphasizes the importance of personal connections in retail. The guitar market has seen shifts between electric and acoustic sales. Challenges in inventory management have evolved over the years. Dave's personal collection has grown to between 500-600 guitars. Advice to younger self: take life more seriously and start earlier.

  3. 11/13/2024

    Band Instrument Repair in High Schools: A New Approach to Career and Tech Education

    This conversation explores the innovative approach to teaching high school students about band instrument repair, initiated by Aaron Moss in response to the retirement of a local music store. The discussion covers the development of a curriculum, student engagement, funding through CTE programs, and the importance of balancing educational initiatives with professional repair services. Moss emphasizes the need for in-house repair solutions in schools, the high interest from students, and the potential career paths available in the repair industry. Link to NAfME Article Link to Aaron's Slide Deck Takeaways The initiative to teach band instrument repair arose from a local music store's retirement. Career Technical Education (CTE) funding was crucial for establishing the program. Student interest in repair classes was consistently high, leading to full enrollment. Classes were structured with prerequisites to ensure students had a foundational understanding of instruments. The program included hands-on experience with real instruments, enhancing learning. Funding for the program grew from an initial budget of $27,000 to over $100,000. The curriculum was developed by paralleling existing classes, such as bicycle repair. Moss aims to advocate for the repair industry and create pathways for students into apprenticeships. Balancing educational repair initiatives with professional repair services is essential. The future of band instrument repair education looks promising with ongoing discussions and collaborations.

  4. 10/31/2024

    The Future of Instrument Repair - Opportunities and Challenges with Bill Mathews, Executive Director of NAPBIRT

    In this conversation, Donovan Bankhead and Bill Matthews discuss the current state of the instrument repair industry, focusing on the growing demand for repair technicians, particularly among younger generations. They explore the appeal of instrument repair as a career, the challenges faced by technicians, and the importance of fair compensation and a supportive work environment. The discussion also highlights the value of networking through organizations like NAPBIRT and the need for store owners to recognize and invest in their repair teams. In this conversation, Bill Mathews and Donovan Bankhead discuss the importance of networking and community within the repair industry, particularly through events like NAPBIRT conferences. They emphasize the need for proactive recruitment strategies to attract new technicians, the significance of growing talent from within, and the necessity of succession planning in repair shops. The discussion also highlights educational pathways for aspiring technicians and the resources available through NAPBIRT to support ongoing professional development.

  5. 07/30/2024

    Navigating Growth and Culture: John Tarpley on Leading a Multi-Location Music Retailer

    In this episode of the Music Retail Podcast, Donovan Bankhead interviews John Tarpley from Tarpley Music. They discuss the history and founding of Tarpley Music, which dates back to the 1920s. They also talk about the challenges and benefits of having multiple locations, as Tarpley Music has nine locations. They touch on the importance of culture by design and how it has helped shape their company. The conversation also explores the role of e-commerce in the music retail industry and the significance of the school music market. Tarpley Music is focused on building a strong company culture and maintaining a positive work environment. They use a culture method that emphasizes behaviors rather than platitudes or values. They have core fundamentals that they incorporate into their weekly emails and team meetings to reinforce their culture. Implementing this culture method has been a challenge, but they believe it is worth the effort. Tarpley Music also discussed their approach to e-commerce and the importance of having a functional website. They use the Shopify platform and have worked on improving their content and customer experience. They also discussed the challenges of keeping a family business going and the importance of having a clear plan for succession.

  6. 07/18/2024

    Overcoming Challenges and Empowering Teams: The Bandwagon Music Journey with Jennifer and Linden Lantz

    Summary In this episode of the Music Retail Podcast, Donovan Bankhead interviews Jennifer and Linden Lantz, the owners of Bandwagon Music and Repair in Nashville, Tennessee. The Lantz's background is in music education, with Lyndon specializing in instrument repair. They started Bandwagon as a small repair shop and gradually expanded to include retail and rentals. They faced challenges along the way, including a failed acquisition and financial uncertainty, but their dedication and faith in their vision helped them overcome these obstacles. Jennifer's role in the business includes HR, marketing, and handling various tasks as needed. The conversation in this segment revolves around the daily routines and responsibilities of Linden and Jennifer Lantz in running their music store. They discuss how they manage their time between working in the shop, handling emails and communications, and empowering their employees. They also touch on the importance of financial management and the challenges they faced with accountants and software. The Lantz's share their experiences with starting their own rental program and the financing involved. They also talk about the pride and support they receive from their parents and their hopes for their children's future involvement in the business. Lastly, they discuss the challenges of brick-and-mortar retail in the music industry and the need to adapt to online platforms. In this final part of the conversation, Linden and Jennifer discuss the importance of education and staying relevant in the music industry. They highlight the value of attending conferences and events like NAMM, which provide excellent education and networking opportunities. They also emphasize the need for brick-and-mortar stores to create unique experiences that can't be replicated online. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the power of mentorship and building relationships within the industry.

  7. 07/08/2024

    Using Automation & Building your Industry Friends Groups - with EJ Dombrowski (Jim's Music)

    Summary Donovan Bankhead and E.J. Dombrowski discuss their friendship and the impact of reaching out to each other. They talk about the challenges of running a music store, being resourceful, and staying competitive in the industry. They also touch on the importance of automation and delegation in order to focus on innovation and growth. The conversation highlights the constant need for adaptation and the role of competition in driving improvement. They share their experiences of starting and expanding their music stores, as well as the lessons they've learned along the way. Creating a culture where people can speak up and provide feedback is crucial for success. It is important to have a team of people who are willing to challenge and question decisions. Hiring people who are smarter and better than you at certain tasks is key. Trusting and empowering employees to make decisions and take ownership leads to their success and the success of the business. It is necessary to pitch ideas and gain buy-in from the team before implementing changes. Admitting when you're wrong and being open to feedback is essential for building a culture of trust and growth. In this conversation, Donovan Bankhead and EJ discuss the importance of industry relationships and friendships, as well as the value of using Crystal Reports for automation and data analysis in small businesses. They also share insights on hiring and managing employees, setting goals and benchmarks, and the challenges of running a small music store. The conversation highlights the benefits of learning from and sharing with other music store owners. Chapters 00:00 Building Relationships and Friendships 03:02 Resourcefulness and Creativity in a Small Music Store 09:23 Automation and Delegation for Innovation and Growth 12:27 The Role of Competition in Driving Improvement 14:17 Adapting to the Constantly Changing Marketplace 16:07 The Importance of a Supportive Team and Confidants 27:12 Hiring the Right People for Success 28:30 Empowering Employees to Take Ownership 31:04 Pitching Ideas and Gaining Buy-In 34:43 Admitting When You're Wrong and Being Open to Feedback 57:45 Building Relationships and Friendships 01:05:14 Automating Business Processes with Crystal Reports 01:02:54 Setting Goals and Benchmarks 01:04:12 The Importance of a Strong Work Ethic in Managers 01:06:21 Sharing Insights and Ideas 01:16:07 Finding Inspiration and Learning Opportunities

  8. 06/26/2024

    Navigating Change: Insights on Hiring, Diversity, and Marketing in the Music Industry with Michael Santander

    Donovan Bankhead interviews Michael Santander, General Manager of Instrumental Music Center, about his journey in the music retail industry and the importance of hiring the right people. They discuss the shift in employee mindset from wanting to be part of a 'family' to valuing a team environment. They also emphasize the need for businesses to prioritize their employees and create a supportive culture. Michael shares how IMC focuses on supporting individuals with outside passions while still maintaining a dedicated work ethic. The conversation discusses the importance of hiring for personality attributes and creating a strong team culture. They emphasize the need for businesses, regardless of size, to be intentional about their culture. They also highlight the industry's acceptance of diversity and the desire to see more diversity in positions of power. The conversation then shifts to the challenges of e-commerce and the need for the music industry to catch up in terms of online presence. They discuss the importance of being active on social media and having a strong online presence to connect with customers. In this final part of the conversation, Michael and Donovan discuss the importance of marketing and finding the right person to handle it. They emphasize the need for someone who understands the company's culture, product, and vibe. They share their own experiences with hiring marketing professionals and the challenges they faced. They also talk about the changing landscape of marketing and the need to adapt to new trends and technologies. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the value of mentorship and the benefits of having a mentor in the music industry.

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5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

A podcast dedicated to instrumental music retailers, featuring interviews with the best retailers in our industry, as well as other leaders. Hosted by Donovan Bankhead, President at Ernie Williamson Music - a NAMM Top 100 Full-Line Instrumental Music Retail Business.

Information

  • Creator
    Donovan Bankhead
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Donovan Bankhead
  • Show Website
    Music Retail Podcast