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The Famous Old
Time Music Company was established in Cincininati, OH in 1972 by
Harry Sparks and Mack Smith, two college boys who had been caught up
in the surge of interest in bluegrass and folk music brought on by
the catchy sounds of the theme music from the TV show 'The Beverly
Hillbillies' and the two hit movies 'Deliverance' and 'Bonnie and
Clyde'. Initially the store was housed in a long, narrow building
which had been a Graeter's Ice Cream Shop. In fact, some of the
display cases still in use at the store today were originally from
the Ice Cream Shop. The store had a limited selection of
merchandise and a small repair facility, but a booming interest in
jamming and playing bluegrass music.
Ownership of the
store transferred to bluegrass bassist Rich Hart in the late 1970s.
Famous Old Time Music ended this era of its development with
dealership privileges from Martin Guitar Company, Gibson Company,
Gold Star Banjo Company, and assorted string, book, and accessory
suppliers. There was also a very active local Cincinnati following
who traded at the store and came regularly to enjoy jam sessions and
socializing with picking pals. |
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In 1984, Rich
decided to change careers and advertised Famous Old Time Music
Company for sale. Cincinnati's own bluegrass legend, Vernon
McIntyre, saw this as the fulfillment of a longtime dream. Having
been active as a consultant during the start up phase of the store
and having traded and jammed at the store throughout its history,
Vernon was intimately familiar with the merchandise, musicians, and
fans of the music. His reputation as a professional musician and
teacher prepared him well for the role of leader of this
enterprise.
Vernon, his wife
to be, Kitty, and her brother Andy Schaeffer became partners in the
store in 1984. The Famous Old Time Music Company grew into a
profitable enterprise catering to local bluegrass and folk
musicians.
Another of
Vernon’s longtime dreams has been to have his own concert hall and
festival site. In 2001, Vernon and Kitty purchased a 20,000 square
foot show/retail facility in Wapakoneta, Ohio. The concert hall,
called Boatwhistle Memorial Hall in honor of Vernon’s father, can
seat 500 people, plus the property has 8 acres of level parking for
festivals. The Wapakoneta facility is home to the weekly Friday
evening jam sessions, too.
The advent of
the internet brought an end to an era in the saga of the Famous Old
Time Music Company. With retail sales foundering because of the low
prices available on new and used instruments via the internet,
Vernon and Kitty have chosen to emphasize the service end of the
business. The demand continues to be strong for both private
lessons and repairs. While the Wapakoneta store continues to offer
regular retail hours, the Cincinnati business is now by appointment
only and is comprised mostly of lessons and repairs. |