Here are the friendly people who help you on the phone, on the floor, and behind the scenes. You can contact staff members individually, or you can reach all of us at .
Owner and proprietor since 1978, Jim is a pre-war Martin aficianado -so much so that he was a consultant to Martin when they sought to refine the design of their D-18 and D-28 Authentic 1937 guitars. The Martin company recently bought a vintage Martin from Jim for their own museum. When he's not working in the repair shop or acoustic room at Mass. Street, Jim may be spotted on the PBS popular show 'Antiques Roadshow' appraising musical instruments from guitars to violins. Check out some of Jim's appraisals on Antiques Roadshow. You can reach Jim at .
Our general manager and co-owner of Mass Street Music. When not steering the Mass Street ship John can be found riding bikes and playing his many guitars. John recently finished recording a new record (with hot producer Isaac Flynn) for Vintage Church where he is leading worship with his wife and son.
Flynn understands the particular needs of a worship leader - whether you're searching for the perfect guitar to ensure a seamless flow to the service or are looking for a microphone that does double duty. His latest find? The Anderson Crowdster Plus which delivers true acoustic or electric sound at your fingertips without losing any momentum in the service. For any guitar or PA needs contact him at .
Also check out John's Guitar of the Week at www.andersonguitars.com. Once you are to the home page, click on Guitar of the Week, and then click Guitar of the Week Archives at the bottom. Now choose the week April 16, 2006 to see John with his Anderson Crowdster.
As a Mass Street Music veteran of 12 years, coming back to the store as our new Sales Manager, "feels like home", he said. Tim left 8 years ago, and worked for exceptional manufacturers and dealers including Collings and Huss and Dalton. With over 20 years in the music industry, he's into just about everything, but has a penchant for acoustic guitar and electric bass. When he's not picking and strumming (usually on a Collings), you can find him playing his Ernie Ball bass. You can reach Tim directly at .
Chucho thinks he belongs to luthier Josh Baldridge, but in reality, he's our store mascot. We love him and ply him with treats all day long (even if he steals my morning toast from time to time). He's a graduate of the Lawrence Humane Society, and some heinous puppy mill. With Josh and Kendra's special care, we like to think he's nearly normal. He likes to charm us with his Swiffer impersonation, clearing stray bits of lint from the floor with his big whiskers - also enjoys ripping paper, cardboard and wood to shreds. You can find him in the repair shop several days a week.
Brian is a familiar face around Mass Street Music - he's a former employee of three years who just couldn't stay away from the friendly atmosphere the store offers...and the good coffee! When he's not playing in the Lawrence/Kansas City area with his alt-country band, True North, Brian can usually be found hanging out downtown on Mass Street with his bulldog, Rudy! You can contact him with any fine acoustic and electric guitar questions at .
Jason handles our Recording and Keyboards, works in Acoustic and Electric sales, and he also knows just about everything about every type of instrument - including how to play them all. Jason can often be found geek-ing out on The Beatles, LOST, and Harry Potter or playing with his many bands: New Franklin Panthers, Newmatica, The Stereo Types, Steed, Alien Empire, etc. You can reach Jason at .
Check out his bands, Newmatica (Debut EP right here!) and New Franklin Panthers -t shirts and debut CD available right here!
Matt rounds out our staff of guys named Matt to three! Matt C is a certified gearhead, a great signer-songwriter and can help you with electric and acoustic guitar sales, as well as a variety of other things. You can reach Matt C. directly at .
Matthew is our bass specialist, as well as working in other departments. Matthew is an all around great guy, good at video games, and can often be found wreaking havoc on the bass in his band Wrath and Ruin. He graduated in December from the University of Kansas with a degree in Linguistics and is currently studying Applied Linguistics in the University of Massachusetts, Boston Master's program. You can reach Matthew directly at .
Check out his band, Wrath and Ruin.
Long time Mass Street Music friend Kurt Morrow joins the staff with a specialty in bass and guitar as well as bringing an extensive in-depth knowledge on many other aspects of the store. He has nearly 30 years experience in music and retail - from the big box stores to running his own boutique music store at one time. Kurt earned a degree in Music Performance from Washburn University and later joined the United States Air Force Band. He's also been a bass instructor for over 20 years. He's a member of several Kansas City area bands including Wonderland, Skip Hawkins Jazz Trio, Backporch Blues Band and the Northpoint Church Worship Band. You can reach Kurt at .
Mike Horan has been the Shop Manager here at Mass Street since 2000 and has been fixing guitars since 1994, doing everything from the simplest of setups to the most complicated restoration work. He also is a member of the Midday Ramblers. Not only snappy dressers, they also play some mean tunes, which you can buy right here. For performance dates and more check them out on their website at www.middayramblers.com.
Josh Baldridge graduated from Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in 2001. From there he worked at Lakland Basses in Chicago for a couple of years, which has given him more than a little knowledge about all the details that go into making and repairing high-end instruments. Josh came to Mass Street Music in 2003 and now you can find him repairing all kinds of instruments in our shop.
Matt H. is a graduate of the Galloup School of Luthiery in Big Rapids, Michigan. He apprenticed with Bill Moll at Moll Custom Instruments, building both archtops and flattops. He also worked for a time at Springfield Music, in Springfield, Missouri.
We're delighted to welcome back Mike Runyon who worked here previously from 1999 to 2003 after which he ran his own repair shop and excelled at being Mr. Mom. He's a graduate of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery, just like Repair Shop compatriot Josh. We're glad to have him back.
Isaac works on our website (this fine website that you are viewing right now), and he spends some time down front on sales. Isaac is currently going to KU, playing drums in the band Newmatica, working on a new record with his family, and producing/recording various artists. He is also attempting to find time to work on some solo material. You can reach him at .
Check out Isaac's Band, Newmatica.
Anne has played in Half-Price Stars, Hit & Run and the Shebangs and lives to find a '65 Melody Maker again someday. She creates the web content for Mass Street Music and specializes in photography. She also handles workshops, marketing, and advertising. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology and sometimes writes about music. Ideas for workshops or shows you'd like to see at Mass Street Music? Let her know. You can reach her at .
