Kevin’s Story

35 years ago, in a small town in Southern Indiana, a young man, Kevin Franklin, started a music store, Guitarworks in Greenwood.  Guitarworks is known to everyone as “The Place to Take Your Pick.”  Kevin often says, “I started my store not with a list of “dos” but a list of “don’ts”.  Guitarworks in Greenwood has been in business now for 35 years and has grown to be a staple on the south side of Indianapolis, providing musicians of all ages, from beginner to pro the equipment that they need.  

Kevin’s start in music and with the guitar started at a very young age.  He had always been enamored with anything to do with guitars.  If there was a guitar on TV, he was there watching it.  Kevin received his first guitar for his 6th birthday.  This was the soonest that his parents could get him in lessons.  From there it wasn’t long before he was advancing through classes.  He still has that original guitar.  A friend that he gave lessons to as a child ran across it and brought it in as a souvenir.  Often at Christmas we show pictures of a young Kevin playing and singing for the family at Christmas time with all the cousins gathered around.

Kevin, was not only a performer around Indianapolis, he also taught lessons privately and for a music studio.  Through his teaching and performing he met his first partner Mike Bowers.   Mike, already a small business owner, quickly realized the potential in Kevin.  Kevin, having been an advisor, teacher, and friend to the families of his students; was very familiar with the music environment in Indianapolis.  He saw a great need for a store that would take care of people.  There were too many businessmen in the music industry that did not understand the needs of families and musicians, or you had the guy that was more concerned about what he was doing and not about what the client needed.  Kevin knew he could do it better then what he had observed.

Kevin’s favorite part of what he does is forming personal bonds with his clients and their families. When you are a teacher, you are not only an instructor, you are also a friend to adult students and a mentor to younger students.  That relationship continues on the show floor.  We have watched families grow over the years.  We have laughed, cried, and celebrated with many.  Now we even have grandkids of former clients coming in and getting their first instrument and signing up for lessons.

Probably the highlight of his personal performing career was getting the chance to open for David Bowie at the Deer Creek Performance Venue (now Ruoff Music Center).  Obviously, we have had many great performers come through Guitarworks.  One of the greatest accomplishments of Guitarworks is the fact that these performers not only enjoy being here and teaching clinics and lessons, but they are all anxious to come back.  

The highlight of his career here at Guitarworks was opening the Gibson and Marshall lines in the 80’s.  Securing these coveted, prestigious lines and being deemed worthy of these dream lines.  It was an accomplishment that was unheard of for such a fledgling business, but they too saw the potential in Kevin and his vision for Guitarworks.

Kevin and crew constantly work to raise the bar in the industry.  With careful selection of product at the right price point across the board.  Weather it’s guitar gear, drum stuff, keyboard, or stringed instruments – Kevin picks the best lines and works closely with the manufactures to get the best products.  You do not get “seconds” or things that have been “used” in the store.  We set everything up and maintain our instruments.

Guitarworks customers know that when they come in, not only are they going to get to see the newest, neatest equipment; but they are going to get to talk to friendly, knowledgeable salesmen.  Not a rotating pool of people, but guys that have been in the industry and have worked here at Guitarworks for years.  We are musicians in the music business.  We attract the best in the business weather it’s Luthiers, Salesguys, or Instructors.  We have people that work with us – not for us and they are people you will actually like.

Congratulations Kevin and Crew on 35 years!