"Many years back, when I picked up my first guitar as a young fellow, I stumbled into Hayes House Of Music for the first time. Just looking for a tuner, a string bean fellow with a brightly coloured suit named Jimmy Hayes came out, scavenged his shop asking all sorts of questions on what I was needing, until he settled in a tuner that he deemed fit for me. I was lost in this small store by this point. Around me were all these foreign bits and bobbles, and a man asking questions that to a beginner player sounded like he was speaking in tongues, but Jim took that as an opportunity to teach (or to tell another story). He taught me about something so simple as tuners, with a wild story on local instrument makers, his own travels, and a form of music history I had never seen in my own schools.

Since this first encounter, I have gone back to hear several more stories as well as any needs I have for my instruments. This small house has become entwined in my own musical journey as my one stop shop. He has repaired family instruments for friends, and has never disappointed. He has a care and a quality that can be hard to find, not only in music stores, but in service in general. He is a man that puts the music first, and has helped Topeka keep playing for many years."

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