quote:

Originally posted by rich galassini:
...Vocal training includes diction, but there wonderful singers who have great language skills when they sing... but still speak the regional slang they grew up with.

Like this guy?



Good to know about the cot.

quote:

Originally posted by rich galassini:

quote:

Originally posted by lilylady:
Let's pretend it is a slow day in the store (or several in a row) and you have caught up with bookwork, tele calls etc...

Actually, most slow days I call Beacon Chris and talk about OT!

Man, you guys must be hard up for conversation topics...





Seriously, I'd bet you don't really have "slow days," do you? You seem to me to the kind of entrepreneur who always finds a way to keep moving forward.

quote:

Originally posted by Nina:

Like this guy?

Oh yeah - JUST like that guy!

quote:

You seem to me to the kind of entrepreneur who always finds a way to keep moving forward.

Thank you OT. I'd like to think that is true, but sometimes moving is just moving.

I try to never confuse movement with action. IOW "Just 'cause someone is busy, doesn't mean they are actually doing anything."

That is a paraphrased FTPism.

fascinating Rich.

I've been on vacation and this thread is nice to 'come home' to.

who has been your favorite customer?

(and you needn't say me)

tell us some stories about your most interesting customers.

quote:

Originally posted by rich galassini:

quote:

Originally posted by Qaanaaq-Liaaq:
Hi Rich.

What avatar did you go with for Cunningham’s? I remember you once posted a topic here soliciting our opinion concerning this one particular avatar. It looked like an antique looking upright piano.

Did you set up a blog recently? How is it going?

I actually do not remember the avatar thing. I am sure that I did ask opinions, but I have never actually used an avatar.

As far as the blog, WTFers gave me great advice on how to start a blog and on what looks work, what content, etc. It is going well. If you'd like to check it out, here is the link:

cunningham piano blog

After a little more thinking about the avatar, I know I posted about Cunningham Memoribilia (I collect the stuff) and there definitely was an antique upright on a Cunningham Piano bookmark that was put out in the 1920's.

Here it is:






OR, you might have meant an original letter that was mailed in 1906 or thereabouts (I know I posted this at some point - even though there is no antique upright on it) :

Aha...here they are here as well. (I commented over on FB)

I remember the thread and encouraged the use of the C building letterhead. I think it was for advertising again, not an avatar that we opined.

You had better be careful using the one with $10,000 offer though! NOt that you would have to worry, but they might keep you busy!!! HA HA!

The logo at the top of your blog page looks great.

The topic was posted both here and on Piano World's coffee room forum. The upright piano was the logo. This forum deletes old topics so it’s gone from here. Here’s the topic on PW. I’m “fr” on PW.

http://www.pianoworld.com/foru...test.html#Post789930

dibbies...

dibbies on accompanying you while you sing in May.. ok?

Your blog is getting better and better!

Do you have other Cunningham memorabilia?

As you probably have noticed, I collect old piano emphemera but have never seen any Cunningham things. Did they advertise in the old Observer and Music magazines (I have some)

quote:

Originally posted by apple*:
fascinating Rich.

I've been on vacation and this thread is nice to 'come home' to.

who has been your favorite customer?

(and you needn't say me)

To apple AND pique,

Frankly apple, you ARE one of my favorite customers. You are one of a small number (perhaps 25) that have purchased a piano from me sight unseen... even though I recommended that you not do that.

Another story is from a gentleman who has spent more with me than any one single customer. He walked in without an appointment in dirty overalls and an old cap needing a haircut. He had the hands of a working man with a ruddy face that had seen lots of sun and wind and a white beard.
He told me he was a welder.

I started chatting with him and found him to be bright and articulate. It turned out that he owned a company that customized the shape of extruded I-bars for big construction and he also fixed sky scrapers that had unforeseen problems like wind sheer... after they were built. Further, he does any type of custom metal construction, but he loves music.

Well, at the end of that meeting he told me that he had just been at the Steinway dealer and was givem the "bum's rush". As he was escorted out of the store, he turned and told the salesman that if he wanted to, he could buy and sell every piano in their store. The salesman laughed at him!

Over the next several years this client would purchase a limited edition Bosendorfer 225, a custom designed Imperial (Anyone remember the Stockton Imperial?), a rebuilt 8'4" (?) Knabe in rosewood, a restored Hallet & Davis pianoforte, two digital pianos, and two Pianodisc installations. He has spent more with me than some COLLEGES have!!

The Stockton Imperial has since been sold to a young gentleman in Mexico City:

quote:

Originally posted by lilylady:
Your blog is getting better and better!

Do you have other Cunningham memorabilia?

I've got lots of it, but I could always use more. Let me know if you see anything out there LL!

Please show us more of what you have...when you have that 'free' moment!

quote:

Originally posted by lilylady:
Please show us more of what you have...when you have that 'free' moment!

I will LL. I have been meaning to scan some of it. I just haven't gotten around to it. This could be the incentive I need.

Here are a few things that not many people here know about me:

1) I have hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail.
2) I was very active in Scouting as a teen.
3) I taught swimming and boating at summercamps as a summer job.
4) I sold encyclopedias door to door as a summer job.
5) I have sung on the same stage with Luciano Pavarotti.