Trade Regrets: Clyde Miller

On Saturday, June 24^th, we received the following message from Sammy Ash of Sam Ash Music:

Sad day today for Sam Ash Music and friends in Music Retail and manufacturing. Clyde Miller, a former buyer for the Company and friend of the Family and Staff was found dead on a hiking trail outside of LA.

Cause of death at this time has not been determined.  My Father personally picked him out of the sales floor to become the head buyer of Sam Ash Brass, Woodwinds and Orchestral. To be picked for this job by Jerry Ash personally, was a very big deal.  Essentially it meant the man who took over for “The Boss”. My Father and Clyde’s Mentor was visibly upset by the news. “He was a very nice guy, I enjoyed working with him”.

He was kind, smart and quickly fit with in with all of us in the office and around the chain. Over the years he proved to be an invaluable and integral part of the SAM Organization. A few years ago and far too many snow storms (he slipped and badly cracked his hip on the ice a while back) he desired to move back to LA. He got a job with Musicians Friend as the head buyer as well, I know it wasn’t an easy decision. As far as I can tell when he left us he didn’t take and share the secrets that he had learned with his new bosses. That was Clyde, if nothing else, a gentleman and man of honor. 

We as a Company normally don’t celebrate a person who leaves us for a competitor but this is different. Clyde was different. 

As far as I knew he didn’t have any Family on the east coast so I never had the pleasure of meeting any of them. Our condolences go out to them as well. 

 I and this Industry have lost a friend and good soul. He died alone, no one should die alone. Good bye my old friend, this Family and Company lost a good friend this week. You will be missed. 

On Monday, June 26^th, Guitar Center’s Paul Audi sent along the following:

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing one of our own, Clyde Miller, a valued member of Guitar Center family and the GC Private Brands team. Since joining Guitar Center in 2013, Clyde has been a driving force in our brand development of B&O and Percussion products.

Admiration for Clyde runs deep in the MI Industry and particularly in the B&O community, as evidenced by the overwhelming outpouring of respect and recognition from industry associates that span decades. A musical passion that was sparked in high school drum and bugle corps, Clyde dedicated his life to music and music education for both the young and old, beginners and veterans. He spent much of his career nurturing and expanding the skills of others – providing personal lessons, owning a teaching studio and running a music instruction lab as a Computer Music Clinician.  As a music retailer and merchant, Clyde’s professional network widened, working at various music stores on the east coast including a long and fruitful tenure at Sam Ash Music. 

In 2013, Clyde packed his belongings (and boxes of fine cigars) and moved to the west coast where he joined Guitar Center – and embarked on his California Dream, living it to the fullest. For those of you who knew Clyde, we are sure you would agree, a kinder gentler soul you will not find.  This easy-going Gentle Giant with a heart of gold will be sorely missed by anyone that ever shared the pleasure of his company.

Details on services for Clyde will be distributed as they are finalized by his family.