[CAUT] touch-ups

[Barbara Richmond]

Hey John,

Are you ready to laugh?  When I first started in business I was associated 
with a Steinway dealer (1982-1984).  Of course, I was relegated to the 
Wurlitzers and Kimballs and any other lowly trade-ins.  This dealer took 
advantage of me in that he expected me to "mind the store" if I was there 
tuning.  I knew the store was dealing with some artist, because they had 
tried to deliver a Steinway grand for the artist to practice on in his hotel 
room, but the piano wouldn't fit in the elevator.  So, they brought the 
piano back and delivered a "K?" upright.  In the meantime, I was left alone 
in the store, some customers (with small children) arrived  and there was no 
sales person around.  If I wasn't unnerved enough, then the phone rang.  It 
was Mr. Watts, wanting to talk with the dealer.  I didn't hear his name 
because the toddlers were running amuck in the store making all sorts of 
noise.  So, I was trying to take a message, but was having a hard time 
hearing and finally I had to ask Mr. Watts, to spell his name....

I laugh every time I think of it.  He probably didn't think it was very 
funny.

Barbara (could you spell you name, please?) Richmond   :-)


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Minor" <jminor at uiuc.edu>
To: "caut" <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 4:07 PM
Subject: [CAUT] touch-ups


> If I stay for the performance and hear something go out during
> the first half I may go backstage to ask the performer if
> he/she would like the piano touched-up. Most are happy for the
> offer, and I think it gives the concert going public an
> impression of the importance of our work.
>
> I once asked Andre Watts if he would like the piano touched up
> during intermission and he said,
>
> "No thank you. It would give the wrong impression."
>
>
>
> John Minor
> University of Illinois
>