Larry Schuette stated, "So, I guess we all need to look into the future
and find permanent homes for our "collections" in museums or whatever
so these unique instruments survive and do not end up on the estate
auction block to be given away or converted to scrap metal and lost to
future generations who may some day wake up and value the true "good
ol' days" music that these big music boxes can bring back to life. "

I am 40 and it is true, my generation is caught up in the "high def"
technology explosion and all the gadgets that go with it.  But remember
these items are advertised, desirable, and available at a cost the
average person can afford.  Some mechanical musical instruments are
affordable for the average household and some are not.

Could it be the mechanical music market continues it's plummet
because of a lack of general interest and the feeling from the average
person that these "ancient" machines must cost a fortune.  This
decline can not be explained based solely on the economy.  The economy
was relatively strong during the mid 1990's and early 2000's.  Salaries
and compensations were up and money was being made on Wall Street and
in real estate.  But, at the same time, in which direction was the
mechanical music market headed?  The answer would be "down".

How many of you had to mortgage your house to buy an instrument?
Today very few of my generation would do that.  Why?  Because there
is no attachment to mechanical music.

Many of you reading this who are looking to the future and what will
become of your instruments have a strong emotional attachment to them
because they are a vivid reminder of great times from your childhood.
This is the secret!  But remember, hundreds of thousands of people just
like you were exposed to these instruments but only a relative handful
of you have worked and sacrificed diligently in this field.

This type of emotional attachment is non-existent in my generation,
with the exception of the occasional customer who might say, "I don't
care what it cost to restore I want it done because it was grandma's!"

I believe that whatever people are exposed to, they begin to develop an
appetite for it.  Were you ever required to take a music appreciation
or music history class?  As a 19-year-old that was the last thing
I wanted to study, but the degree required it.  After the semester was
over an appreciation and even an enjoyment of classical music was
developed simply because of the exposure.

Many of you are extremely dedicated to exposing the public to your
instruments.  You attend rallies, parades, and host open houses, but
in this age of entertainment super saturation it may not be enough
exposure to create an appreciation or appetite in the general public.
Therefore it is believed that the downward trend will continue.  Fewer
and fewer people will be willing to take on the responsibilities of
ownership.  Soon we will be seeing the "Player Piano Co. auction"
results at most mechanical music sales.

Now some may say they would rather see their instrument go to
a museum than to have it sold for a fraction of what it is worth.  This
reasoning is understandable but think about it -- if you knew someone
who would maintain, care for, appreciate, and show the instrument like
you have, would you still choose the museum?  How about if they could
only obtain your instrument at what you would consider a fraction of
it's value?  Would it be horrible to almost "give it away" than have it
tucked inside a museum?

Do you know of someone who loves the instrument about as much as you
do?  Have you ever discussed with them their interest in ownership once
you or your family have decided it's time to pass it on to the next
curator?  I'm not saying an owner should look to leave these instruments
to whomever and it is reasonable for the owner or his family to realize
financial gain when it comes time to let the instruments pass, but is
it desirable to donate to museums if there are individuals you know and
trust to oversee the future of your instrument for the next 20 years?
Maybe so, maybe not.

I love and appreciate a good band organ or fairground organ.  The dream
is to one day own one and use it in public places, such as the town
commons park, before and after the local university athletic events,
before and after the Independence Day fireworks display, during the
county and state fairs.  The list of possibilities in my mind goes on
and on.

This dream may become a reality but at this time with three children
to put through school and college it will have to wait.  You see
I have a great appreciation for these instruments, can care for these
instruments, and have a desire to show these instruments but I am
financially limited.  This will not always be the case so one must
learn to be patient.  One day life priorities will change and the
financial sacrifice can be made then the dream will become a reality.
Many of you know all about this because you lived it.

Enjoy your instruments everyday you can, and be sure there are some 30-
and 40-year-olds out here who will help you preserve these instruments
for the generation which will follow us.  Considering the future,
I wonder what the next ten years will hold?

Sam Harris
Greenville, North Carolina