Playback - Summer 2008 - (Page 13)

Side by Side Walk into robert M. Sides Music in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and chances are, you might just find four generations of family together in the store. THe SIDeS FAMILY • rOBerT M. SIDeS MUSIC CeNTerS WILLIAMSPOrT, WILkeS-BArre AND STATe COLLeGe, PeNN. from brothersin-law Malcolm and Harmon Fletcher of Fletcher Piano & Organ in Hornell and Elmira, NY. Each generation has since passed on their passion for the business. In fact, some of Peter and Alysha’s earliest memories are of attending the trade shows. “The NAMM Show was our vacation and dad was a pilot, so he would always fly the whole family to the Chicago show,” says Peter, 32. “Dad didn’t take me to the show in California until I was in high school. I don’t think he thought I was ready for all the haircuts and tattoos.” Those early NAMM shows helped the Sides children to establish lifelong friendships and business relationships. “We hung out with so many people that I looked up to, and who I now consider my friends,” says Alysha, 36. “Peter and I have been really lucky to have such a great network of mentors who’ve helped us navigate through the ever-changing business climate of the music products industry.” As teens, Alysha and Peter were actively involved with the National Association for Young Music Merchants (NAYMM), with Alysha later moving into the role of NAYMM president. The siblings are also members of a variety of sharing and buying groups, giving them the chance to circulate tips and ideas that have been handed down to them through the generations. “My grandfather encouraged my father to go to the NAMM Shows so he could get out of our hometown and meet other retailers—that’s why a large part of our travel budget is devoted to attending trade shows and the buying/sharing groups,” says Peter. “Most of the people we network with are also multigeneration family businesses that have also been around for many years. They’re the best resource we have.” At 98, Sides family matriarch Ellin still drops by to work a few hours a day at the business her husband started more than 70 years ago. Her son Pete and his wife, Carol, now oversee the successful three-store chain, while their children Alysha and Peter manage day-to-day sales and operations. And, two years ago, another generation was born into this music retail dynasty—Charley Elizabeth, who often visits the store with mom Alysha after daycare. Music and music making have been this family’s focus since 1937, when Robert M. Sides opened his first store after learning his trade as a piano technician from his father-in-law, Edgar Fletcher. He also gained valuable retail experience and support

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Playback - Summer 2008

Playback - Spring 2008 Contents From the President NAMM Events Music in the News The Local Community Music Store: A Family Affair Commercial Retail Washington Watch Reps in the Field New Domestic Members International NAMM Foundation Music Notes Resources Viewpoint Playback Supplement : Summer NAMM08 Concerts & Events Artist Appearances What to See NAMM University Sessions

Playback - Summer 2008

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