Lyon’s Music Company: Music With A Personal Touch

By Chaney Ferguson
Editor, The Times of SWLA





When Sam Lyons worked for Gulf State Utilities in the ‘70s, he decided to pursue his passion on the side. He started teaching guitar lessons.
“As a young boy I took piano lessons, and when I was in my late teens I started playing the guitar,” said Lyons.

Using a small portable building as a workspace, Lyon’s decided to branch out and open his own store.

In 1975, Lyons and his wife, Pat, began to sell guitars.

“We had maybe 4 to 6 guitars on the wall when we first started.”

At the time there were many guitars out there for people to purchase. Students would come for lessons with an inexpensive guitar that wouldn’t stay tuned. As a result they couldn’t learn as well.

“We wanted to put something in their hands they could actually learn on; something that would stay in tune. There are a lot of guitars that have just strings on it, but as far as trying to learn on it you will not be successful,” said Lyons.

When Lyon’s Music opened they were selling beginners guitars for around$35/$45.
“They were cheaper then, but now you can buy a guitar anywhere, even in the department stores.”

Lyons says that guitars in department stores are actually completely different than the ones found in music stores.

Sam & Pat Lyons, Owners
“The manufacturer actually makes something for them to sell, but it’s not the same quality. Then the same company will make better guitars that sell in music stores. It’s a different grade guitar altogether,” said Lyons.

After displaying about a half a dozen student guitars, the business began to expand.
The store is now the place to buy guitars, electric guitars, amplifiers, and drums.
“Pretty much everything but keyboards. We never really sold keyboards,” said Lyons.

Over the years, Lyons started carrying school band instruments.

“The band directors will do their fitting and test their students to see what they play best and then tell them what they play. Then they will let them shop for whatever they’re looking for. We sell all the instruments that the band uses. Saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet, and trombone. And percussion and bells,” said Lyons.

“We take time with our customers and don’t try to rush anything. We work with them. If someone is buying a horn, we take the time to tell them how to clean it and take care of it so they aren’t always bringing it in for repairs,” said Pat Lyons.

If this is a student’s first time to play a horn, Lyons says, it is important to go over the basics with them when they are purchasing the instrument. They’re shown what to do and what not to do, to keep the instrument in good condition.

In his younger years, when Lyons was first getting started with the guitar, he participated in a few bands.

“Like all young guys we would play in a few different bands over the years. Nothing famous.”

The band consisted of Lyons and one of his best friends with other members coming and going.
“We would play rock and roll and country at different local venues. We did street dances, several things for the city of Sulphur, and we would play at the roller rink on some weekends,“ said Lyons.

When Rob Robin was still a DJ, the group played for him a few times at the roller rink in Lake Charles.

“We were always changing members and changing the name of the band.”

Some of Lyons’ musical inspirations were The Beatles, Eric Clapton and Chet Atkins.
“The Beatles were one of the groups I really listened to because they were not only great singers, but they were great musicians. Chet Atkins could pretty much do anything he wanted to on a guitar.”

When Lyons married at 21, he stopped playing in the band, but he never stopped playing the guitar.

“I play guitar for myself and when my wife and her family get together, some of her brothers play as well. Of course I will play in the store when customers come in just to show them how the guitar works, especially with the electric guitars. I show them how the knobs work,” said Lyons.
Lyons’ son, Jason, grew up in the store and even though he never took to playing, he has a knack for repairs.

“My son does repairs on the guitars and band instruments. He does anything string-wise. Banjos, mandolins, and violins. He can repair just about anything.”

The whole family is involved at Lyons Music Company, and their mission is to satisfy the customer.

“We will bend over backward to satisfy and I think that is lost in many stores, but the owners aren’t up front working anymore.”

Stop by Lyons Music Company where you can have all your questions answered with a personal touch.

Located at 337 Beglis Pkwy in Sulphur. For information call, 337-625-7915 or drop by. Store Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday 10am-2pm.