Big Music Crows Nest wins major international award
CROWS Nest store Big Music has won a major award on the international stage for creating a festival on the isolated paradise Lord Howe Island.
Mosman
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BIG MUSIC is officially one of the best stores in the world.
The Crows Nest shop won a major award at the Oscars of the music retail industry held in Nashville and it is a huge honour for the team.
“It’s honestly like being at an Academy awards,” store co-owner Richard Berkman said.
“It was a real thrill for us. It was wonderful to win our category.”
Big Music won the Music Makes a Difference gong at the NAMM Top 100 Dealer Awards for bringing music to Lord Howe Island.
The team have created a music festival for the community called Lord Howe Island Rockfest and introduced music lessons for children.
Every child now plays an instrument and Big Music conducts online lessons and supplies instruments.
About 700 people attended the awards ceremony and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house after the show reel on their achievements on the isolated paradise island. Mr Berkman and his brother David, who also co-owns the shop, were treated to a rare standing ovation from the audience.
“The reason it struck such a chord is because the story behind it is what everyone aspires to do when they enter this industry,” David Berkman said.
“It’s an emotionally rewarding undertaking what we’ve gone and done. It’s commercial indefensible. We throw money at it every year and never make a cent. You do it for the love of music and community.
“There were tears everywhere in the room.”
The brothers didn’t win the overall prize for the best dealer in the world on the night but they have their sights set on the award. They will continue to work hard to match the achievements of their international peers and winning the Music Makes a Difference award has given them the confidence that they are on the right track.
“When we started this business we wanted to be as good as the best in the world,” David said.
“We dream of being the best music shop in the world.”