06/29/2024
Warning I get a little emotional...
It is profound how I feel after the weeks events. Never meet your heroes does not count here.... Since I was a teenager I have been a fan of Peavey Electronics and the founder Hartley Peavey. In 1982, our family music store became a Peavey dealer after fixing Ian Tysons Peavey speaker. Since 1982 the values that Hartley shared and demonstrated were of high ethics, fewer stronger dealers, affordable gear for musicians, educate the dealers, and always treat people right. His impassioned speeches about "vote with your wallet" and his many discussions offering sage advice to music stores. Hartley has 190 patents and ushered many firsts into the music industry like CNC machines for guitars, Digital amplification and even digital mixing.
To say the least he has changed the face of the music industry for the better!
This week I was able to spend some time with Hartley after the sales training in Meridean Mississippi at his world headquarters.
The 16 year old in me was squealing with glee (on the inside) as the realization of a life long dream to be able to collaborate and work together in a meaningful way with a giant of the industry. I soaked in every minute, even second and hung on to his every word while trying to make sure I understood what he was saying and tried hard not to sound to goofy while I talked with him. After a while I calmed, and we had an amazing chat and I realized we have a lot of similarities. This picture represents a lot for me. It represents a lifelong journey to get to this point, it represents, a coming together of 2 like minded people that just love tinkering and inventing things, It represents two brands coming together to elevate each other and do their best for each other and it also represents a full 360 moment that would have only been better if my dad was in the picture as well.
As I am on my way home, I'm grateful for all the events that have led to this point, I'm grateful to all the people that have supported this journey, I'm grateful to be in the coolest industry, and I'm grateful that the future is bright and exciting.
Its hard to get to the place to work alongside of legends and heroes and I feel lucky to be able to do this with the entire team. I realize that Hartley Peavey name is on the building, and on the inside is an incredible foundation built from his dedicated team. Riversong Guitars also has in incredible foundation of people within our buildings. I hope to learn lots with our collaboration, how to be a great leader, how to build great products, how to grow our team and learn from their experience.
What an amazing week.
