Wes Sutton

Video

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Job Title
General Manager
Company Name
Tarpley Music

Wes Sutton has a background as a musician and a welder and wasn’t too sure about an opening at King Music Company in Brownwood, Texas, but he was looking for a change so he took a chance. He was the only employee in the store so he quickly learned every element of running a music store. He learned instrument repair and how to work with the local band directors to service the needs of the school music programs. In 2007 he was hired by Tarpley Music and rose to store manager, regional manager, and then general manager overseeing all six locations as well as running his own store in San Angelo, Texas. He greatly appreciates the fact that the Tarpley family values their staff and encourages them to grow within the company. He also has sound advice for school road reps, “If you do it right, you make so you are out visiting your friends (when you call on band directors). Then it's not a job.”