Horns! Horns! Horns!

We have reserved the Pavillion in Silsbee tomorrow evening (Friday) from 3 to 7 to have a horn drive.  Even though Mr. Bandman is no longer open as a retail store, Paul is still doing repairs in his home shop and we still have acess through NEMC to our rent-to-own instruments.  We also have a few used instruments left to sell.  The Rudisall Pavillion is commonly called the farmers market pavillion.  It is on 3rd St. just north of  the railroad tracks.  It is really nice place with usually a nice breeze through it, as pavillions are prone to have.  It has lights and ceiling fans, and there are restrooms and water available, We usually take some things once a month when the Hardin County (Facebook group) has a trunk sale there. It was a big event last month.

I have been trying to get advertising out for the event.  There ads in American Classifieds (Thrifty Nickel) and the Silsbee Bee, also on-line on Southeasttexas.com.  I just finished signs to put around town to direct people to us.  Considering my limitations due to ataxia (described in my last post) I think they turned out pretty good. I made 3 two-sided signs--or a total of six "Horns" and I traced all the letters and colored them in with a wide paint marker.  Being 70+ and having ataxia I have finally learned that something like this does not have to be perfect, good enough is good enough.  It also helps to be exposed to Flylady's philosophy regarding perfection..

One side of signs!

Other side of signs!

Anyway, we are looking forward to renting a lot of horns to beginner band students. It is always exciting when the beginners get their new instruments, whether they are actually new or "new to them".Getting a band instrument is usually a family affair, and the kids and parents are so excited.  Sometimes you'd think the younger sibling was going to play the horn, theyseem so proud to get it.  Paul has also had a lot of repairs recently and is expecting some horns to arrive from out of state anytime for repairs. It is good for him to be busy right now.

See you at the farmers market pavillion in Silsbee tomorrow!

Change is in the Air!

The times they are a changing!

Things have been really crazy here the last 2 or 3 weeks.  First of all, we decided to move Mr. Bandman Music to a new location.  We found a really neat smaller building downtown just 2 doors north of the Pines theater.  The address is 350 N. 4th St.  It is just a fraction of a mile down the street from our present location.  We hope to concentrate more on band instrument repair, along with having the accessories for band instruments--reeds,oils,etc. and guitar strings and picks.  

We've been greatly impressed with the new Ventura guitars and plan to keep a few new acoustic guitars in stock, as well as an occasional used guitar.  We can also order some super great violins from the same company that makes the Ventura guitars.  They are highly recommended.  Our catalog order department will allow you to purchase all sorts of guitars, amps, drum sets, what have you. 

We will continue to have a fantastic rental-purchase plan on school band instruments as an affiliate of NEMC.  We have been an NEMC affiliate almost as long as we have been in business.  They have an outstanding rental-purchase program that is a 0 interest plan.  You can check out them out at www.nemc.com.  You can even rent an instrument on line, and we we will deliver it to your child's school in our area.  We will also have used band instruments for sale.  You will be happy to know that all of our  used band instruments have been through our shop and have a 90 day warranty.  They are all well known name brand band instruments, too.

We are excited to be moving. The new building is better suited to our needs, and we look forward to seeing our area customers there real soon. We plan on being open for business there later this week--Saturday, Sept. 1 for sure.

The second big change is Hazel's HodgePodge is no more.  We had a big garage sale in preparation for our move.  A man came along and agreed to buy all of my HodgePodge inventory.  I may have an item or two or three left around to sell,but for the most part, I am out of business.  It really leaves a hollow here--both in the need to try to list and sell all that "stuff" and the physical presence of all those boxes to move and store.  I will definitely have more time for other projects and endeavors. As soon as we complete the Mr. Bandman Music move, I will be busy removing everything pertaining to Hazel's HodgePodge from the internet.

We have had a few set backs with health issues the past couple of weeks, but we are still excited over the move and confident that the "winds of change" will blow nothing but good our way.