Our History
Lafayette Music Co., Inc. opened in the heart of downtown Lafayette on Vermillion St. in August of 1955 under the leadership of Mr. William C. "Bill” Peyton as "Lafayette’s Downtown Music Center.”
Although it was a full line music store, the main focus was on pianos and organs. In the early ‘60s, after outgrowing its original location, Lafayette Music moved to 551 Jefferson St. Mr. Peyton and his wife Marie committed themselves and Lafayette Music Company to the development and growth of music in Acadiana.
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In August of 1967, Mr. Raymond J. Goodrich joined the Lafayette Music Company staff as a salesman. From that time until around 1969, Mr. Goodrich focused on growing the band department. By traveling to schools all over Acadiana, Lafayette Music offered a more personalized service to the band directors of the area.
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Because of Mr. Goodrich’s achievements with the band department, he was promoted to sales manager in 1968.
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In December of 1973, Mr. Goodrich purchased 40 shares of the company’s stock to become part owner of Lafayette Music Co., Inc.
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Later in July of 1976, Mr. Goodrich purchased an additional 40 shares, and eventually became sole owner of Lafayette Music Co., Inc. in April of 1977. At that time, the combo department was in a separate space adjacent to the main location and was sold separately to become Bud’s Guitar and Drum Shop, Inc. With the new ownership, Lafayette Music Company focused on piano, organ, and band sales as "The Friendly Music Store.”
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As business continued to grow, Lafayette Music Company opened a second location in 1978 in The Boulevard Shopping Center at the corner of Arnould Blvd. and Johnston St.Wilfred Green joined the Lafayette Music team a year later in June of 1979 with Jamie Cappel following in January of 1981, both of whom are still with the company. After years of part-time accounting work for the company, Karen Goodrich sold her interest in a local accounting firm to join her husband Raymond Goodrich and Lafayette Music full time as the Chief Financial Officer.
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Lafayette Music Company continued its commitment to the advancement of musical skills and the enjoyment of performance for Acadiana’s young musicians in 1983 with the creation of the Lafayette Music Camp.
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With more growth and the success of the Arnould Blvd. location, the decision was made, in 1983, to move both the downtown and Arnould Blvd. stores in to Lafayette Music’s current home at 3700 Johnston St.
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In 1989, Lafayette Music Company started the Louisiana Showcase of Marching Bands to give back to the community and fund scholarships for music education students at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
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Looking to expand its business to sell guitars, drums, and audio systems, Lafayette Music Company opened another music store named Pro Sound in 1992.
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Located at 2920 Johnston St. in the Winnwood Shopping Center, Pro Sound catered to a whole new customer base offering everything from acoustic guitars and sound equipment to traditional Cajun music instruments. After 8 successful years in that location and a remodel and addition of 4,000 sq. ft. to Lafayette Music Company, Pro Sound moved into the 3700 Johnston St. location. Although the Pro Sound name is no longer used, Lafayette Music Company remains a full line retail music store with 10,000 sq. ft. of space to serve all of Acadiana’s musical needs.
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Lafayette Music Company was recognized as a Yamaha Piano VIP Retailer in 2006, and was awarded The Best of Lafayette 2009 by the US Commerce Association in the music dealer’s category.
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More recently, in August of 2012, 2013, and 2014 Lafayette Music Company was ranked in the Top 100 largest music products retailers in the country by location in The Music Trades magazine.
