Concert: John Palmer, Celebrating 35 Years

John Palmer the patron saint of the Waterford music scene. Whilst working for John in the early 90s, George’s street was a hub of activity. T&H Doolan’s for pints, WLR for the gossip, Chapmans for coffee and John Palmer’s music shop for the ceol agus craic! John and of course his (always knowledgeable)staff have provided musicians an invaluable service for the past 30years. There was rarely a dull moment working in there and if there was, sure you could try out a lovely Fender Telecaster for a while! Even with the rise of online shopping it will last long into the future. After sale service, upgrades,trade-ins all provided. A 30 year anniversary gift is usually the pearl, which stands for honesty and wisdom both provided by JP I would like to wish John all the best for the next 30 years in business.🎶🎸

It was Spraoi 98 (or 99?) and the band I was playing with had a heap of gigs booked over the weekend. On the Friday evening - disaster! My guitar broke! I ran into John Palmer’s to see if it could be quickly fixed, but there wasn’t a hope. What about all the gigs?! I was panic, wondering how I’d manage these shows with no instrument. John turned to the wall of electric guitars and said “take one of those and bring it back on Tuesday.” He didn’t even charge me for it and fixed my own guitar the next week. That kind of service can’t be replaced by online stores.

Continued success and a big thank you to John Palmer Music for almost 4 decades of service to musicians in the South East. Always a pleasure to call to the shop and chat to John and Keith about gear, gigs . A major contributor to the music life in Waterford and instrumental in keeping the music alive through good times and not so good. 'Long may you run' John

" My most vivid memory of John hails back to the early 80s when as a dark handsome 16 year old who would patron the Victoria House bar in Tramore always with a few vinyl LPs under his arm and request that I spin them on the pub's turntable to accompany his few lucozades (?). I rarely declined his request as his taste then was so good. Still is. John P goes about all aspects of his life with understated sense of courtesy, consideration, and good humour. Throughout the decades I have never heard a bad word uttered regarding how he manages his business, in terms of his prices, knowledge/ professional advice offered, and aftercare service. So miff said : the type of service JP Music provides in many ways is the core of any community. Sincere best wishes JP and "keep on rolling".

John Palmer great guy great music man great neighbour too,. Arrived here 25 years ago and John helped us right into the local music scene who remembers those songwriters forums upstairs in the Vic? Always nice to provide a bit of extra storage for Santa John’s Xmas presents to the budding musicians back in the day keep on rockin John.

Many years ago, my son was awarded a place in the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland. We were given a couple of weeks to purchase a 'proper' clarinet, his own, they said, was just a practice one. The Glass factory was on strike, our funds were seriously tight. I went to John Palmer and within days we had a brand new clarinet fit for our National Orchestra and payments to be made monthly. We could not have done this without John. What an opportunity my son would have missed who went on to be their first clarinet in the orchestra during his time. I have never forgotten John's kindness. Thankfully, I have never had to do that since but I've continued to purchase whatever I needed for my instruments from Palmers, our #Local.

Having experienced John Palmer’s as a customer and an employee has given me a bird’s eye view of the evolution and development of what gives every town and city a voice – it’s arts and music scene. Kids, whose parents arrived flustered looking for that first guitar, drum kit, music book for school, etc., only a few years previously, return with their kids. The cycle continues. When those kids are armed with their first instruments, long hot summers fly by at a rapid pace as strings and sticks are broken in front bedrooms and garages across the city. Panicked trips to Palmer’s for replacements and back to the rehearsal space for more blistered fingers and neighbours complaining. As a young musician, regardless of skill or talent, you could always find an independence in Palmer's, whether it was trading in your instrument and upgrading, or paying off weekly as the summer job money came in – a service that can’t be replicated online. At times, the narrow shop on George’s St. resembles Grand Central station, with buskers, music legends, veterans of the local scene, toddlers, and those with a thirst for the music machine all rub shoulders. As the young grow old and migrate from the front-room to the pubs and stages; as the local legends move on to make space, John Palmer’s remains an important hub – like a port at the edge of a great, often underappreciated music and arts scene. Keep the flame going, and don’t forget to pass it down the line.