John
Caruso Sr. 1912 - 1999
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Caruso Music was founded in 1929 by a 17 year
old aspiring musician named John Caruso. John picked up an
accordion in his hometown of Heilwood, PA and became fascinated by the
possibilities. He quickly found out he had a natural talent for music
making. Those were difficult times, the beginning of the great
depression. John's neighbors asked him to teach their kids how to play;
they didn't want their children to suffer the same hardships they were
going through. Music was a child's ticket out of a lifetime of almost
certain drudgery. He gave into their constant request and began
instructing the local kids on the accordion. It wasn't uncommon for
parents to pay him with their government subsidy checks ( today's
welfare ). |
Heilwood was coal country. The
death of John's uncle in what were daily mine accidents was the wake up
for his mother. She didn't want her sons ending up working
the same dangerous hand to mouth job as her generation had. They packed
up and moved to NYC. John opened what would then become one of New
York's largest music schools, with over 1000 accordion students. The
success was fulfilling but he was unsure about New York.
It was 2:30 am on a hot summer
night in Flushing Queens. John was trying to cool his crying
son down by pushing his carriage back and forth in front of their
apartment. It was at that moment he realized city life wasn't
for him. In the morning he loaded the family into the car and drove
east until it turned into country. Their first stop of the day became
their new home, Bozrah, Connecticut.
John began teaching accordion
door to door and then opened a small teaching studio in the neighboring
town of Norwich. That city served him well but the growth of the US
Navy in New London had much more promise. In 1963 New London became the
new home of Caruso Music. Not long after opening at 25 Main St a bakery
fire next door forced the store to relocate to 20 Bank St. John
continued running the family business at that location until his
retirement in 1978. His two youngest sons, Larry and Richard took over
after six years under his guidance. In 1995 Caruso Music purchased it's
newest location at 94 State St.
Caruso's continues to prosper
at their new 22,000 sq ft building. It's also home to Caruso School of
Music and Caruso Audio
Video Install. It's their experience and dedication to customer service
that earns your trust. Many of the staff have been there for over 15
years. The customers are loyal because the staff is and it shows. Their
product specialists do everything possible to be certain
you're making the right purchase. Trust and honesty are part
of this family owned and operated business. There's always a Caruso
there instilling and protecting the high moral values that John
insisted were the core of their success.
Caruso Music respects your
time, it's a precious commodity these days. When you visit, call or
email us, you'll quickly find out that they're happy to share
our 78 + years of business experience with you.
Many people find it refreshing
to find out that a business like Caruso Music still exist in this day
and age. The Caruso's are not so amazed by the businesses longevity.
They see it as a simple formula. Sincerely care
about your customers and always be honest. What
does amaze them is how so many places have lost sight of these easy to
follow yet important values.
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One of
John's 32 music books
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Sound Retailer
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John wrote and arranged over 30 music books, many still in print. He
also recorded numerous records, one staying at number 1 on The Hit
Parade for three weeks straight
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Caruso Music has been awarded Keyboard dealer of the year 7 times in a
row. They were also awarded Software dealer of the Year, most effective
Retailer of the Year and best music school of the year
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