It came as no surprise when Sidney Davis’ inbox quickly was bursting at the “virtual” seams with messages from retailers and suppliers, following the announcement of his retirement. Below is just a sampling [If we ran every message, it would fill the entire June issue – and then some!] of the kind words folks in the industry had for Sid.
I’ll take this opportunity to add my own two cents:
In the nearly 12 years I’ve worked for Sid, I’ve enjoyed and benefited from his mentorship, exhaustive knowledge of all facets of the industry, humor, and friendship. I will miss his guidance going forward (and our Sox- and Celtics-related chats), but I am endlessly appreciative for the advice and insight he’s shared so generously with me.
Christian Wissmuller, Executive Editor
Musical Merchandise Review
Check this video excerpt from Sidney Davis's session with NAMM Oral History Program.
Congratulations on your retirement. I know I speak for the entire industry when I wish you
all the best.
You may not remember this one. In 1992, I was a college student at Bowling Green University, interested in becoming a sales representative in the music industry. At that time, I wrote a letter to your company requesting some information to help with a school project. You were kind enough to send me a copy of a wonderful book, which listed all the MI dealers in the U.S. market.
I never forgot that. I was blown away that you would take the time to help a college student with such a request. You taught me that our business really is about people, not about selling stuff.
I hope that I may be able to pass that lesson along.
Steve Hauer, District Manager
Yamaha Corporation of America
It must be an interesting feeling for you to say goodbye after such a long time. How many people can say they worked their whole career essentially for the same company? Your position also gave you a unique vantage point to see the industry change over the years. I recall looking at the 1960 NAMM show directory and seeing two thirds of the exhibitors selling records and/or record players. Times have changed and will likely continue to change! I still carry Don’s (Johnson) editorial announcing the “job opening” for Link’s (Larry Linkin, former NAMM Executive Director) position. It was classic Don, capturing his deep insight and wicked humor perfectly. One of the many great things you have done is to keep his memory alive with the Service Award.
Joe Lamond, President
National Association Music Merchants
I have valued your friendship and contribution to the musical products business for three decades and you will be greatly missed.
Terry Lewis, Chairman
Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute
Sorry to see you go. I hope you have good plans for your retirement. Leaving the music business will not be an easy task.
Enjoy —you earned it.
Sammy Ash, Chief Operating Officer
Sam Ash Music Corp.
Congratulations on an amazing career! You are a true pro, a true friend, and a great guy to work with.
Larry Morton, President
Hal Leonard Corp.
I want to personally thank you for your support over the years and wish you and yours a VERY happy retirement. You retire with the respect of the entire industry!! Well DONE my friend!
Hartley Peavey
Peavey Electronics
Please accept my warmest regards and best wishes on your retirement. I loved your parting editorial.
Mary Luehrsen
NAMM
Thank you for all the good press you have given our company over the years. Don’t look over your shoulder – some of us are right behind you.
Stan Morgan, President
St. Louis Music
Congratulations! On the one hand, I’m happy for you and on the other, I’m sad to see you leave. I’ve always enjoyed our NAMM sports chats and I hope you will still show up, at least as a spectator.
Keith Mardak
Hal Leonard Corp.
What a beautiful and heart-warming article. Congratulations for all your accomplishments.
Gary Girouard
Kurzweil Music Systems
Just read your wonderfully written last editorial. It’s been a genuine pleasure getting to know you and working with you for these many years.
Scott Robertson
Robertson Communications Corp.
Congratulations on a fine career, I’ll always remember your calls fondly.
Rich Siegle, Director of Branding
Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
You are one of the few true gentlemen who have graced our industry. I have an always will hold you in the highest
regard. My father, whom was not the biggest fan of many, also shared my views. He always talked about you being “one of the good guys.”
Frank Luppino
It has truly been a pleasure to work with you. From the very beginning YOU supported our dream, (Jazz Educator Network). I am forever grateful. You were not only supportive, but also warm and kind to me, very sincere and that was appreciated.
Mary Jo Papich, Co-Founder and Past President
Jazz Educator Network
Lovely note…enjoy yourself and remember, there’s always (more).
David Lusterman, Publisher
String Letter Press
We could not have succeeded (Jazz Educator Network) without Symphony’s assistance and support. For that I and others will always be grateful to you and Rick!
Dr. Lou Fischer, Professor of Music
Capitol University College of Music
CONGRATULATIONS on your retirement! You have done a meaningful job at the helm of Musical Merchandise Review all these years. You can be proud of your accomplishments
Larry “Link” Linkin,
Retired Executive Director NAMM
Thanks for all your great work, spirit, and friendship.
Larry Fishman
Fishman Transducers
Where am I going to get the best comical remarks in the business? When there’s crazy stuff at the NAMM shows I rely upon you to give me the pithiest observations! I have very much enjoyed every encounter with you, and will miss your wit and sense of humor.
Andy Zildjian
Sabian Ltd.
It’s wonderful news and you have earned the right to kick back and enjoy the Cape.
Irv Kratka
MMO Group
You brought such great personality to us…thank you.
Keith Aleo
Director of Education, Avedis Zildjian Company
I have always admired you and considered you a friend. From the beginning you gave me encouragement and treated me with kindness.
Steve Clayton
Sorry to see you head into retirement, but it looks like you are looking forward to it. This is from a guy you probably do not remember, but you had me on one of your Music Retailer covers in May of 1977… the golden days of the music business! I am still around with four stores in Pennsylvania with my son heading up the chain. I have followed you on your trip through your magazine life and wonderful editorials. You will be missed.
Joe Nardone Sr.
Gallery of Sound
You, my dealer industry colleague, are an eloquent writer and a visionary reporter of our quirky business. You have always shown great humor and deep understanding. I’ll never forget your thoughtful gesture when you reached out to me shortly after I closed my store, offering me the chance to promote myself through your classified section. I was touched.
Gerson Rosenbloom
It has been a pleasure getting to know you. Susan also wanted to congratulate you on your retirement. Thank you for all your help throughout the years.
Jim Cavanaugh, President
The Cavanaugh Company
I hope that you have many wonderful years doing whatever you want to do.
Ellen and John Cavanaugh
The Cavanaugh Company
Congratulations on your retirement! You have worked long and hard and deserve to enjoy this milestone but please know you will be missed.
I appreciate how you have always been so helpful to me and have added wisdom, warmth, guidance and humor to my business life in this industry.
Leslie Oskar
Lee Oskar Harmonicas
Thanks for all your kind considerations and positive energy over the years. I always enjoyed reading your monthly column and will miss your outlook and influence on the music products business.
Frank West
Lowrey Organ Company
I am going to miss you. You’ve been wonderful to work with. MMR is a great publication and you must be very proud to have been part of the conduit for much of the information that so many of us have counted on over the years.
Bonni Lloyd
Bourgeois Guitars
Even though you are totally entitled to enjoy the fruits of many years of labor there will always be a welcome mat out there for you at the RPMDA convention. You and Don (Johnson), whose presence we still feel, really helped put RPMDA on the map and gave us credibility and stature.
Madeleine Crouch, Executive Director
Retail Print Music Dealers Association
Congratulations on your retirement. You have certainly meant a great deal to our industry.
Bonnie & Clyde Fitch
Bonnie’s Music Shoppe
Hard to believe that much time has passed since I first plied my services at MMR back in 1984. Those were good times that will always hold a special place for me.
Joe Fucini
Fucini Pro
You’ve been an amazing friend and business associate and I wish you all the best in your
retirement. You truly exemplified our industry and I’m a better person for knowing you!
Chris DeMaria
Fishman Transducers
Thank you for your years of dedication to the music industry. You are a true gentleman and a role model for those who follow in your footsteps.
George Dertinger
Gem Sound
Always enjoyed working with you over the years. 100 percent class!!!
John Broermann
Music Dealers
Resource Group LLC
It was always a pleasure to do business with you.
Pat Bovenizer
Peterson Strobe Tuners
I am sure you do not remember me, but 30 years ago I was president of the same strategic marketing and advertising company as today. Back then we worked with D’Addario, Jimmy D’Aquisto, Herb Hegel of Shadow, and others. You helped me out with several articles, which certainly endeared me to my clients. The favors were greatly appreciated for a young company searching for footing. Thanks for thirty years of comments, observations, wit, and wisdom.
Jamie Stanco, President and CEO
PMG Strategic
I wanted to add my thanks for helping Audiofly get off the ground!
Steve Johnson, Director of Sales
Audiofly USA
In reading your retirement letter, we are both sad and excited at the same time. We are truly saddened by
your announcement of your retirement form the music industry. You are a legend and a superstar who has brought many great years to all types of the music industry readers and enthusiasts. We thank you for bringing MMR to our eyes and for providing our company with great knowledge of the who, what, and where that runs through our industry. All of us at GCI Technologies/Gemini Sound will truly miss you. You have always been a good friend and great man.
Alan and Artie Cabasso
GCI Technologies/Gemini Sound
Thank you Mr. Sid Davis for your help over the years!
Roger Kao
Sunlite Industrial Corp.
Congratulations on your many years of success. We wanted to thank you for continually going above and beyond for your customers.
Carol Warren, Principal
Antarra Communications
Congratulations on a great career. I can’t forget your occasional phone calls back in the early ‘90s when I was the owner of TG Technology. “Hello Dan? Sid, Davis EM-EM-Ahh!” And your visits to our NAMM booth to take our picture, along with Wendy and Larry Davis, of WD Music. MMR has been a staple of our shop’s reading material and we appreciate all you’ve done with it, and the excellent reporting of industry news.
Dan Altilio, Owner
Topguitarguitar.com
I loved reading your story and the personal “twists” you added throughout the dialogue. I have always enjoyed meeting with you, as we did for many years throughout my career at Roland and before that, Technics. It was a pleasure to work with you.
Dennis Houlihan
In my time in the business you have always been a positive and interesting individual. When I see you coming, I smile and when we are done talking, I smile!
Neil Larrivee
Vic Firth Inc
You were one of the reasons I call the music industry “my home away from home.” You will always be remembered for your wisdom and kindness. I thank you for sharing your industry and retailing knowledge with all your friends.
Dominick Buonantuono
You have not only been an incredible business associate, but an amazing example of a class act. I admire your style, patience, and your ability to make everyone you speak with feel important.
Joe Vasko
LP Music Group
I’ll miss you. I know we don’t talk or see each other very often, but you are like family to Wendy and me.
Larry Davis
WD Music Products
This business has kept us lively and alive! I know you will be missed by many.
Bob Archigian, Director of Sales
E & O Mari
Thank you Sid and best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement.
Jim D’Addario, Chief Executive Officer
D’Addario & Company
I have enjoyed knowing you for the past 20 years and wish you all the best.
Mike Dorfman
Trick Percussion Products
Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement. We will miss not having you around, as you’re an icon within this industry.
Bill Reim
Hoshino USA
It’s been a pleasure working with you and I am going to miss you.
Chris Vance
Piano Empire
I wish you many lazy days on Old Cape Cod and at the ballpark as well. Thank you for your dedication to our industry.
Gordon “Gordy” Wilcher
Owensboro Music Center
Enjoyed very much reading your recent editorial. Your words are very eloquent and you will be missed in our industry.
Mike Guillot, Director of Purchasing
Mississippi Music, Inc.
I wish you the best and appreciate everything throughout our time working together.
It’s been a pleasure.
Marshall Johns
Peterson Strobe Tuners
You have certainly earned a well-deserved retirement.
Chuck Perl
Out Front, Inc.
What an inspiring and well-crafted note your wrote! I really enjoyed working with you and wish you the best.
Daniel Frohnen
Alfred Publishing
What a nice letter. Like always, with class, dignity and professionalism. These are the best words I can say to describe you and the years we have shared together.
Mick and Janet Faulhaber
Ward-Brodt Music Company
It has been a pleasure to have you as a friend and to trust you as a colleague for so many years! Thank you for sharing your many words of wisdom in your editorials. Thank you for lending your sympathetic ear during times of trouble. Thank you for providing so many laughs and so many fond memories!
Danny Rocks
You will be missed as one of the staples of the industry. Have fun and thank you for your past support
Dennis Briefel
Giannini USA
Your wit and intellectual curiosity has been a continued joy for me as I read your column every month. Thank you for sharing these and other talents with all of us in the music industry. Your generosity in sharing time, wisdom, and other resources is without match
and will be sorely missed by all.
Richard Gore
Penders Music
Congrats on your retirement. I wish you all the best. I very much enjoyed working with you through the years.
Rick Drumm, President
D’Addario & Company
Thanks for all you have done for our industry over the years. It has been a pleasure to know you.
Peter D’Addario
D’Addario & Company
You are a true gentleman and from what I have seen and heard over these many years (I have been in business now for 48 years), you are one of the most respected journalists in the music business. To say you will be missed is by no means an adequate enough way to state it.
Joey Lyons
Hey Sid, I don’t know you from Adam, but I’ve seen your face in MMR. Magazines are glutted with pictures and advertising, but I personally enjoy a well-written article. I read your farewell and wanted to wish you a happy retirement.
Jeffrey Iacono
Borsini Accordions USA
It has been a great pleasure knowing you. Relax and play this period in life as a whole note, rest and enjoy the time off until the music begins again.
Joe Bradeau
Thanks for all your help over the years. I really enjoyed working with you!
Kevin Bolembach
Godlyke
It has been my pleasure in counting you as a friend over the past couple of decades in the music industry.
Craig Smith
Meyer Music
It has been a pleasure working with you and I will miss our conversations.
Dr. Nick Petrella, Director of Education
Sabian Ltd.
Thanks for all you’ve done for me over the years, as well as your contribution to the music industry.
Rick Nelson
It has been a true pleasure working with a professional like yourself.
Alan Poster
Ace Products
31, Sidney!
John Maher
First off, congrats! Second, noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Dan Del Fiorentino
NAMM
