Trade Regrets: William ‘Bill’ Higgins, Owner of Bill’s Music House

Bill’s Music is a retail musical instrument store located in Catonsville, “Music City” Maryland. This musical destination was started by William “Bill” Higgins and has been family owned and operated since 1965.

Bill’s interest in music started with the introduction of Rock n’ Roll in the 1950’s and more specifically with Elvis, the Beatles and Rolling Stones. He learned how to play their songs on guitar, put on his Beatle boots and started going to people’s homes and giving them guitar lessons.

In 1965, Bill and his wife Nancy rented a small 8×8 room behind a coin shop on Frederick Road in Catonsville, MD, and started teaching music lessons there. Eventually, they took over that space, and in addition to teaching guitar lessons, began selling accessories and a few instruments.

During these early years, the store was slowly but surely obtaining dealerships for all the major lines in the music industry. It was also at this time, that Bill’s Music pioneered a young adult credit plan to help aspiring young musicians acquire the instruments and equipment that they needed.  While operating the store, Bill found time to perform the music he loved as the bass player in several local rock bands, one of which was called “The Henchmen.”

MMR publisher visits Bill’s Music to express our condolences regarding the passing William Higgins

Over the years, Bill’s Music expanded 7 times along Frederick Road and now occupies a 36,000 sq. ft. building chock full of new, used and vintage equipment from the top name brands in the industry. Bill enjoyed working in the business each day alongside his wife Nancy and three children, Brian, Tracey and Jamie until he retired just a few years ago. Bill’s Music has exploded into one of the largest musical instrument retailers on the East Coast specializing in musical instrument sales, rentals, repairs, lessons, sound consultations, trade-ins, & the purchase of used gear. The designation of Catonsville as “Music City” in 2002 was largely credited to the influence the family owned store music has had on the community, paving the way for other musical instrument retailers, record stores, live music venues, etc. Bill had a “larger than life” personality and has been described in the recent outpouring of love as; a true gentleman, legend, good man, kind, honest, old school, generous and the “Mayor” of Music City. The passing of Bill Higgins on February 14 2024 has left a guitar-shaped whole in the hearts of his family, friends and the “Music City” community which he loved so dearly.