Report by Greg Phillips
Over the last decade I have had the honour of contributing many filmed interviews with significant members of the music products industry to NAMM’s Oral History project, an archive of almost 6,000 interviews. My involvement has ranged from interviewing artists such as Mike Nesmith, Judy Collins, Suzi Quatro, Midge Ure, Orianthi, Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain and many more, to assisting to document the stories of Australian music industry legends like luthier Merv Cargill and Maton Guitars matriarch Vera May.
Last month I was asked by the American music product industry organisation NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) to document the work of two notable members of Tasmania’s music products industry, Cheryl Masters from Barratts Music in Launceston and Geoff McCann from McCanns Music in Hobart. Cheryl was retiring after 50 years of service at Barratts and Geoff was in the final stages of wrapping up the business of McCann’s Music in Hobart.
CHERYL MASTERS
On a cool Launceston morning of minus three degrees celsius, breathing the world’s cleanest air, I arrived at Barratts Music in town to first meet with the store’s Administrative Manager Cheryl Masters, who was retiring within a week, after 50 years service at the shop. Upon entering the store, I was pleased to see that they had really got into the spirit of Cheryl’s 50 year celebration by hanging a huge banner above the main counter acknowledging her achievement. Mark Barratt, the store owner had already organised a commemorative dinner for Cheryl the week prior, which was well attended by work colleagues and friends. As well as requesting me to interview Cheryl, NAMM had also asked me to present Cheryl with a congratulatory certificate in recognition of her service to the industry.
Cheryl’s remarkable career in the Launceston store spanned three generations of the Barratt family and countless customers and friends. Cheryl started at Barratt’s in an administrative role, utilising machines and typewriters to perform tasks before moving into the store’s sheet music department. In this role, with the emergence of computer technology, Cheryl grew the store’s sheet music profile and, as a result, gained national attention and industry awards for her expertise, skills and knowledge. Cheryl was also influential in helping to develop a strong sense of community within the store. In retirement, Cheryl hopes to revisit tinkering on the piano, a hobby she has neglected since childhood.
Here’s the interview with Cheryl Masters.
GEOFF McCANN
Also in attendance on the day was Geoff McCann from McCann’s Music in Hobart. Geoff had recently closed the McCann’s business, which had been going for over 140 years. Geoff’s grandfather, James Robert McCann, established McCann’s Music in Hobart, Tasmania back in 1881. In 1935, under the supervision of Bernard McCann (Geoff’s father), the store expanded into electrical goods, furniture, floor coverings, bedding and records. Geoff joined the business in 1965, working in the record bar and was appointed managing director in 1974. Due to a poor financial position at the time, Geoff decided to scale back the operation and to concentrate solely on musical instruments, print music and tuition, which turned out to be a successful decision. After successful 142 years in business, on September 11th, 2023 Geoff announced his decision to close McCann’s Music Centre to retire. He has always been grateful for his time in the music business and looks back fondly on his memories with his staff and customers, many of whom have become lifelong friends.
Below is the interview with Geoff McCann.
We wish both Cheryl and Geoff well in their retirement and thank them for their contribution to the Australian music products industry.
The NAMM Oral History Program is an oral history project and archive of recordings of interviews with people from all aspects of the music products industry, including music instrument retailers, musical instrument and product creators, suppliers and sales representatives, music educators and advocates, publishers, live sound and recording pioneers, innovators, founders, and musicians.
https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history