Over 60 years and still counting!

 

Strait Music has mirrored its Austin community in so many ways. We have grown, but still have that small town family-owned feel and you can definitely say we have kept it weird. We're proud of our history and we still operate on the same principles set forth by Dan Strait all those years ago. We still pride ourselves as...

"A place where customers become friends"

 

Dan Strait Piano Salesman

It all started when...

Dan Strait moved to Austin, TX (a “college town”) in 1963 to open a Baldwin Piano franchise, Strait Piano and Organ. Dan was able to obtain the franchise opportunity given his time as a salesperson at a similar establishment in Houston.

Prior to selling pianos, he proudly served his country in the Navy in World War II. Strait Piano and Organ had humble beginnings... Dan had one piano technician, he was the salesperson and he had one person helping him with the accounting books.

His motto was “a place where customers become friends”, which is still our guiding principle to this very day.

 


 

Strait Music Company Established 1963 by Dan Strait

1960s

Dan began selling band and orchestral instruments so Strait Piano and Organ became Strait Music Company. Buying trends and consumer demand had always followed popular music and it was around this time when a little band called the Beatles burst on the scene playing VOX Amps.

Dan had easy access to the VOX product lines, (Baldwin owned them) so that’s when Strait Music entered the Rock ‘n Roll product space selling guitars and amps.

Dan Strait

 


 

Strait Music Company 70s

1970’s

As the music scene in Austin, TX became more robust. Strait Music followed suit. Throughout the decade of the 1970's the store expanded into more space within its shopping center location at 9th and Lamar. By this time we sold everything… pianos, guitars, drums, band, orchestra, pro-audio, organs, keyboards, sheet music and more… Many famous Texas Rock groups, Outlaw Country icons and classically trained musicians called Strait Music their home store throughout it all.

The late 70’s was also when the second generation of Straits had become involved in the company. Robert Strait graduated from the University of Texas and became involved on the management side, while Dan’s younger son, David, began his career in sales.

Strait Music Company Storefront Green Banner

1970s Strait Music Storefront Counter

1970s Strait Music Storefront Guitar Department

1970s Strait Music Storefront Drum Department

 


 

1980’s

In 1981, Austin (and Strait Music in particular) was hit hard by natural disaster.

The Memorial Day Flood of 1981 claimed many lives and our 9th and Lamar location was ground zero as Shoal Creek had come outside its banks and flooded the company with 8 and 1/2 feet of water. Strait Music lost nearly all of its inventory and one of the iconic scenes of the flood was pianos floating down Lamar on their way to Town Lake.

Through help from many gracious customers and support from loyal manufacturers, the company was able to continue operating after the tragedy. Shortly thereafter, Dan Strait retired and handed over control of the company to his oldest son, Robert.

Strait Music Flood Boat

Strait Music Flood Storefront

Strait Music Flood Storefront Mud

Strait Music Flood Storefront Parking

 


 

Strait Music Company Logo Jacket

1990’s

The 90's brought more catastrophic flooding in Christmas of 1991 and once again it found the Lamar location under water. After a second post-flood recovery, the decade brought expansion in the company.

Strait Music had outgrown its location at 9th and Lamar and was able to upsize to a new location in downtown at 5th and West Ave (NO MORE FLOODING!). The store also opened its second location in 1998 in the Cedar Park area, a location that is still there today.

Strait Music Company Opening 1997 Polaroid

 

Strait Music 1998 New Location Cedar Park

 


 

2000's

By 2001, Strait Music once again needed to move to a larger space. Robert purchased the former Lakehills 4 Cinema and built out our current flagship store at Ben White and South Lamar.

In 2006, the third generation of Straits had become involved in the business when Robert’s son, Clint, had graduated from Colorado State University and had returned home to work alongside his father and Uncle David.

Robert Strait with Strait Music Company

Strait Music Company South Lamar Building Past

Strait Music Company South Lamar Building Present Day

 


 

2010's

The 2010's saw the company drastically expand its band and orchestra offerings. Strait is now the largest independent band and orchestra dealer in Austin and takes great pride in servicing our local schools and families.

Not to brag (but also to brag), Strait Music is now one of the largest, most revered independent music retailers in the United States. Clint Strait received one of the highest industry honors when he was nominated and served on the National Association of Music Merchants’ (NAMM) Board of Directors from 2015-2018.

The company has also received numerous music retail dealer awards and is on the All-time Winners list in the Austin Chronicle’s Best of Austin for Best Music Store.

We pride ourselves in how we sell everything from Les Pauls to fine violas to mixing boards and everything in between… And we cater to everyone from total beginners to famous musicians. Our repair department is most likely the largest in Texas... We service everything we sell!

Music Inc Magazine Cover June 2013

 

Strait Music Company ATX Man Magazine

 

Indie Austin Newspaper Print Cover

 


 

Present Day

Clint Strait now serves as President of the company, while Robert has taken more of an advisory role. Clint and his incredible team run the day to day operations of the company while continually meeting the demands of our ever-changing environment. Strait Music has persevered through two natural disasters and numerous economic recessions in the 1980’s, 2001 and 2008... a testament to the company, but also our loyal customers.

In 6 decades, there have been a handful of acquisitions of local competitors to help build the business, but one thing has always held true… an unbridled passion for customer service, a unique in-store experience, a reputation for great gear at great prices and a fun family atmosphere for employees have made Strait Music the #1 Music store in Austin, Texas and truly a place “where customers become friends”.

Clint and Robert Strait - Strait Music Company Austin TX

 


 

WE'VE MOVED!

Our flagship location @ Ben White and Lamar has moved! Don't worry, we are just a few miles down the hill. Our new store @ Walsh Tarlton and Bee Caves Rd. sits less than 2 miles West of Zilker Park. It's a special spot so come and see us and tell your friends!

 

Strait Music South
3201 Bee Caves Rd (Suite 140)
(@ Walsh Tarlton & Bee Caves Rd)

 

Acoustic Guitars Room

Martin Acoustic Guitars

Electric Guitars Room

Gibson Les Paul Sunburst

Gibson Les Paul Gold Top

Acoustic Guitars

Banjo and Folk Instruments

Ukuleles

Resonator Guitars

Gretsch Parlor Guitars

Ernie Ball Stingray Bass Guitar

Fender Bass Guitars

Roland Jazz Chorus Amplifier

Mesa Boogie Amplifiers

Blues Junior Special Editions

Vox Practice Amplifier

Accessories

Electric Guitars and Basses

Electric Guitars and Basses

Squier Electric Guitars

PRS Electric Guitars

Orange Bass Amplifiers

Effect Pedals and Pedal Boards / Accessory Cables

Drum Kit

Junior Drumkits

Djembes and Hand Percussion

Meinl Percussion

Moog Synthesizers

Work Bench Area

Hohner Accordions

Grand and Upright Pianos

Grand Pianos

Upright Pianos

Band and Orchestra Department

Woodwind Instruments - Saxophones

Brass Instruments - Trombones

Woodwind Instruments - Flutes and Clarinets

Band and Orchestra Department

Orchestra Department

Step Up Orchestra Instruments

Band Methods Sheet Music

Pro Audio Department Keybaords and Synth

Pro Audio Department Studio Gear

Strait School Of Music

 

Strait Music New Location Mini-Map

 


 

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