The Podium, a legendary Twin Cities music store will be closing for good next week after over 57 years of business.
As a fledgling guitar maker I was introduced to owner Jeff Molde around 2005 by a guy named Bill Arnold who took a liking to my instruments.
After getting some advice (which I took!) I hung my first guitar there in 2006. My relationship with that store and it's staff in both the Dinkytown location and with Jim Tordoff at the Minehaha Ave location has become one of the highlights of my life.
I want to thank from the bottom of my heart, Jeff, Marty, David, Kevin, Jim, Frank, Cecilia, and all the other wonderful employees, musicians, and
Podium groupies. Their advice, support, and guidance have allowed me to
realize a life long dream.
Those relationships and friendships will remain even after the store's closing but it is still a sad day.
I am not sure how I will be marketing my instruments in the future but will update the availability page when I know.
Here are a few pictures I was able to dig up-
The first guitar I hung at the Dinkytown Podium in 2006. It is the one with the Shamrock on the headstock.
Jazz guitar icon David Roos test drives an archtop he helped design. Dinkytown store owner Jeff Molde and repairman Marty Reynolds look on.
Michael Johnson plays one of my OM’s while Marty, Don Fuller. myself, and Glenn Elvig strike a pose.
The late great Lonnie Knight plays an arch top. Lonnie was a great supporter of my work and test drove almost every new guitar I hung at the store. I did not rest easy until he gave his blessing and advice. As I recall he noticed a little fret ding on the pictured guitar that I missed.
Bill Hammond plays the same one
The Minehaha Ave store owner Jim Tordoff, his son Zimmer, and David Roos with the first two I hung at the “new” Podium. Jim was wonderful to work with and offered great support and advice. We share a common love of cycling and the banjo!
Marty Reynolds in his cave beneath the Dinkytown Podium. A master luthier Marty continues to be a wonderful friend and inexhaustible well of knowledge. Not all of it guitar related.
There was a disturbance in the musical force of Minnesota last Sunday. Guitarist and songwriter Lonnie Knight passed away after a year of fighting esophageal cancer.
Lonnie was a great supporter of my instruments and test drove the majority of the new guitars I hung at The Podium. His input was critical in the evolution of my work. His death leaves a huge hole.