Ford Music closing??

[ToonaRockGuy]

Local dudes talking about it on Facebook....anyone heard anything? If it's true, that's a shame.

[bassist_25]

Definitely sucks if this is true! If it's true, I hope Ken gets picked up by another local store to do their repair work. He's one of the only cats I let touch my amps.

[Jim Price]

It's official, per today's Altoona Mirror:

http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/conte ... ml?nav=742

I agree that it's sad news. Ford has been around forever; it's the first music store I remember as a kid. I bought my acoustic guitar there nearly a decade ago for $50. I was just chatting with Ken a few weeks ago while dropping off Pennsylvania Musician mags. Ford Music will definitely be missed.

Thanks for all the years of serving this area's music community!

[Hawk]

Ed Ford is retiring. Ken Oyler has an offer to go somewhere else locally. Ken Civils has offers and is weighing his options. Hocherl's Piano Service is still in business.

[Charley Ford bought the store from his uncle Russel in 1935. Ed Ford took over when Charley passed away. ]

This has been in the works for several months and has given the guys time to prepare to move on. Ken and Ken will be right there till the day they lock the door for the final time...

It is sad. I bought my first Zildian there (from Gene Harbach - anyone remember Gene ? He retired years ago and is now living in Bedford). I've been servicing pianos for them since 1976 and have many fond memories with them. Charley Ford, Ken Civils and Bill Kinser gave me my start in my piano tuning business. The store will be missed.

[whitedevilone]

Sad news indeed.

[lynch1]

sorry to hear this... I worked for Fords when they were in the LVM...I loved that job. I was waiting for them to open another store in the mall at some point, not now. thanks Ed, and everyone at Fords for your years of service to the music community in Altoona. Best of luck.

[f.sciarrillo]

That is a shocker. The store will be missed. I am glad to hear that the guys working there have options of employment at other places. Now the only music store left in Altoona is The Music Emporium. Hopefully they don't close their doors any time soon.

[Banned]

That is a shocker. The store will be missed. I am glad to hear that the guys working there have options of employment at other places. Now the only music store left in Altoona is The Music Emporium. Hopefully they don't close their doors any time soon.

The Gig Box

http://www.gigboxmusic.com/servlet/StoreFront

[f.sciarrillo]

That is a shocker. The store will be missed. I am glad to hear that the guys working there have options of employment at other places. Now the only music store left in Altoona is The Music Emporium. Hopefully they don't close their doors any time soon.

The Gig Box

http://www.gigboxmusic.com/servlet/StoreFront

I forgot about the gig box. Thanks, Joe.

[RamRod 1]

Hawk Said:

Gene Harbach - anyone remember Gene ?

Sure, the older guy that always wore a tie.

[songsmith]

A lot of people feel that local music stores compete with one another, and at one time, they did... but not since the internet and box-stores changed things over the last 15 or so years. They sent us (Music Emporium) numerous referrals, and we did the same for them. I have nothing but respect for their whole staff, especially the "Ken's," and I'm sorry to see them go. I have hopes that someone will save them at the last minute, as long as that someone isn't Guitar Center.