Joyce Brite asked

> How do we create a demand for mechanical music instruments?  What
> can we as owners/collectors/restorers/repairers do to increase
> the public's desire for these items?  I would be interested to hear
> your views.

The key words here are _demand_ and _desire_.  If there is a desire 
there will be a demand, and in my opinion demand creates more desire in 
the market place.  So how do we create this desire?  One way is through 
Education!!!  

Let me illustrate what I'm talking about.  If I have never seen a 
dishwasher I'll never see the need, or have a desire to own a dishwasher.

I'm afraid the general public, for the most part, may not have an 
interest in mechanical music instruments because they know very little, 
if anything, about them.  Even if they do know about them or see them in 
an amusement park or museum just figure they could never afford anything 
like that!  

Until just recently I was one of them.  I had no idea that you could still 
find restorable player pianos.  I was lucky and happened to bedriving down 
the road and noticed a sign in a man's yard that read "pianos for sale." 
When I went in they were all players.  I was shocked!  Right then and 
there I purchased my first three players.

How do we educate?  We are doing it right now through the Internet.  
Keep the web pages going.  Another way is through television.  I am 
now currently talking with our local TV station about doing a story on 
the restoration of player pianos.  They are interested in featuring my 
work as a local interest spot on our early morning program, "Carolina 
Today".  

I hesitate to mention this because the plan is still in it's infancy and 
would take several months to put together since I only do one piano at a 
time and they want to do a montage of the whole restoration.  They may get 
tired of waiting; however, this is one way I hope to spark interest here 
in Eastern North Carolina.  

No, they did not come to me, I went to them with the idea and the program 
coordinator thought it would be an interesting project.  Sometime you have 
to make things happen!  

Another way we can educate is through our local museums.  It has already 
been covered how one could lend their instrument to a museum.  I thought 
that was a great idea so I loaned my 1936 Wurlitzer jukebox to our local 
museum.  I have had many letters and calls about this piece.  And have 
referred each one to the Jukebox Collector.  

I have also been talking to a local restaurant who may be interested in my 
loaning them a player for the Christmas holidays.  I realize this puts the 
instruments at some risk, but to tell you the truth I get just as much 
enjoyment watching other people enjoy my collection as I do listening 
to it alone.

No, education is not the only answer, but it is very important.  Not 
everybody who sees an instrument will want one, but some will.  And if 
they want it most of the time they will make a way to get it.  This is 
one small way desire and demand can be increased.

Sam Harris
3742 Old Creek Road
Greenville, NC.  27834
Sam@Greenvillenc.com