Dealer Spotlight: Central Music

65 years ago, Rodgers Organ Company was established, and Central Music was one of their first dealers, representing Central and Southern Florida and the Caribbean. Our story’s cover page features a photo of Central Music receiving the 2022 Titanium Dealer Award with John Moesbergen, CEO of Rodgers Instruments LLC; Sharon Newby, CEO of Central Music; Tim Newby, President of Central Music; and Marco Van de Weerd, CEO of the Global Organ Group. Congratulations are well-deserved for this and many awards they’ve won!

Central Music is a Florida corporation that began in 1958. It was founded by Les Trubey and its first location was opened on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, Florida (explaining the name). In its beginning, Central Music represented the Wurlitzer brand of home organs and pianos for the Tampa Bay area of Florida. Shortly after its founding, Central Music also became the dealer for Rodgers Instruments to serve the musical needs of the area’s churches. One of the most popular organs found in churches and homes alike is the Rodgers organ.

Central Music was faced with a need for a larger location. In 1973, Trubey built a new home for Central Music – a 15,000 square-foot building at 5175 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, Florida (where Central Music still resides today). It was the first building along that stretch of highway, with pastures for dairy cattle on both sides.  However, the area has grown around Central Music with an international airport within 2 miles and a new eight lane road in front of the building.

In 1977 Nelson Newby with his wife Sharon and son Timothy became Central Music’s new owners upon Les Trubey’s retirement.

In recognition of Central Music’s sales and customer service, company president Nelson Newby was nominated to the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Board of Directors in 1984. The highlight of his tenure was as co-chairman of the committee that created NAMM University and as a workshop presenter in its inaugural season. NAMM University remains a major focus of the organization to this day.

Over the years, Central Music’s church organ division steadily became a larger and larger portion of the company’s revenues. In the mid-1980s, Central Music began to shift its attention away from home products, to focus on the needs of churches across a larger geographic area. Today Central Music serves mid- and southern Florida and the Caribbean. In 1992, Central Music added Fratelli Ruffatti pipe organs to the list of fine musical instruments it offers.

Timothy Newby grew up in the family business from the age of 6 and upon his graduation from the University of Miami in 1993, Nelson and Sharon’s son was announced as Vice President of the firm.  His focus was on marketing, installation design, and the new pipe organ products from Fratelli Ruffatti.  In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Tim made several trips to Italy to apprentice with Francesco Ruffatti at their factory and in churches all throughout the beautiful country. In 2016, Nelson scaled back his role within the company and in 2018, Tim succeeded his father as the third President of Central Music.

The Mission of Central Music

At Central Music we believe that music is an essential part of life. We believe that the enrichment which comes from music has a lifelong impact, and we hold dear our customers who give us the opportunity to bring music into their lives.

Our mission at Central Music is to represent outstanding manufacturers in our industry and to then help music lovers find the ideal products for their needs and budget.  We also believe that the sale is the beginning of our relationship with a buyer, rather than the end, and therefore we strive to provide the best service and education as well.

Our plan for achieving this mission is based upon the understanding that in taking good care of our customers, staff, and suppliers, in a manner we ourselves would want to be treated, our firm will continue to prosper and be the most logical choice for those who love music.

For more information about Central Music, please visit their website: www.centralmusic.biz