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Business Sep 21, 2016
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Although seemingly everything has changed in the music industry since its founding, Family Affair Music still stands as a prime destination for classic tunes … and the instruments that make them happen. – Photo by Terry Miller
By Gus Herrera
Don Collins, founder of Family Affair Music, has a joke that he enjoys telling customers who come into his store: “you can either buy a CD or a record and listen to music, or you can buy an instrument and play it yourself.”
Located in Old Town Monrovia since 1972, Family Affair Music is truly a hybrid business – part record/music store, part instrument shop. Thanks to this versatility, Family Affair attracts a wide variety of customers: students, musicians, serious collectors, and last, but certainly not least, everyday fans simply searching for a good listen.
No matter how you like your music, whether it be via vinyl, CD, cassette, or your own hands, Collins’ store will certainly have something to please your ears. Family Affair even has some items for those of you who held on to your eight-track, four-track, and reel-to-reel players – as their motto goes, “we specialize in ‘Oldies,’ but ‘Goodies.’”
Although his business has enjoyed more than four decades under the same Monrovia roof, Collins’ relationship with the city goes back even further. A “Wildcat” through and through, Collins was born and raised in Monrovia and attended Monrovia High School.
Despite wielding a musical background himself (Collins was a member of the Monrovia High School choir, sang in a band as a hobby, and is currently teaching himself how to play the guitar), he accredits favorable business circumstances at the time for allowing him to start Family Affair Music. Originally the home for Johnson’s Music, Family Affair’s current location went for sale during a period in time when malls were beginning to come around, a phenomenon which, in turn, drained business activity from the downtown Monrovia (aka Old Town) area. Collins jumped on the opportunity to purchase the space and, once he settled on a name (inspired by Sly and the Family Stone’s 1971 hit “Family Affair”), he opened up shop.
Although much has changed in the music industry since then, as a result of the onset of the digital age and popular musical tastes that seemingly change week-to-week, Family Affair Music and its owner still provide the friendly customer service and years of wisdom absent from iTunes or any other website.
That said, Collins has recognized a recent change in the retail experience – just as records spin around and around, so too are trends cyclical, “If you would have told me, at that time, that people could download music over the phone, I would have told you that you’re crazy. It’s funny though, people are starting to come back and physically shop in stores again. They walk around, just want to see what’s there and sometimes something they’ve never thought about pops up – they’ll want it, and they’ll buy it,” says Collins.
Family Affair truly caters to music lovers of all ages – be it the next generation of musicians purchasing their first instrument or the seasoned Jazz listener, looking to add another record to his or her collection.
In addition to the wide selection of music, available in just about every form man has used to record sound, Family Affair carries affordable instruments (ideal for the skeptical parents who are unsure about their young child’s commitment to pursue the craft) and all the sheet music and necessary accessories (i.e. straps, strings, polishes, cleaning tools, etc.) to satisfy your needs. Collins can also special order any items that he may not have in his inventory.
Furthermore, Family Affair Music is a great place to buy someone a unique gift – the store carries a variety of items for the listener/fan, including t-shirts, posters, record players, collectibles, and more.
Family Affair Music is located at 510 S. Myrtle St. in Old Town Monrovia. For more information, call (626) 358-2280, email FamilyAffairMusic626@gmail.com, or visit them on Facebook.
