General Info

In 1955, Bob Rush came to Knoxville to work at Cherokee Music, a store with main offices in Louisville, Kentucky. In three years Bob knew he could do it better and had an idea that would eventually revolutionize the industry. Bob founded Rush's Music in 1958 as a store specializing in school band programs. The store was run from his family home until its size called for more space.As the store continued to grow, he decided to open his first store front on Cumberland Avenue, at what is now a barber shop near Kinko's Copy. The repair shop was downstairs in what is today Raven Records. His grand idea to rent used instruments from a constant "pool" made it possible and affordable for all students to obtain quality band instruments. The original price was fifteen dollars for three months and included books, reeds, oils, etc. No one was turned away as long as there were instruments left. This rental program was to be copied by many stores throughout the country, Band programs began to prosper, their numbers began to increase, and of course Bob became a hero to many directors in the area. His personality was like a Pied Piper. People came from outlying areas to meet with other directors in the "back room" and talk about band. More great ideas came to fruition in this back room than any other place in the Southeast.