We had an incredible opportunity to talk with Eric Hanson, the owner of Hanson Pro Music, for our monthly newsletter interview. Eric shared with us his history, the history of his music shop, and the different ways he’s been able to help the community while staying true to what matters most to him: keeping the music alive and local!
Hanson Pro Music is located right across the street from the beautiful St. Clair River on the corner of Military St and Beard St. in Port Huron. When you walk in, you can’t help but be in shock over the guitars that hang from the rafters and the sun coming in from the large display windows, illuminating the different finishes, colorful, metal-flaked, and wood-stained instruments. It’s likely that upon entering, you’d find Eric behind the counter or helping out one of his customers.
Hanson Pro Music has been open since the fall of 2001 after what seemed like a lifetime of radio. Eric’s father lived the radio/television lifestyle while he was a kid and his parents even ended up owning several local radio stations in the Port Huron and Marysville areas. Growing up with this deep connection to radio and music, Eric picked up several instruments, including piano and trombone, until settling with his preferred instrument, the bass guitar, as a freshman in high school. After graduating from college with his degree in electrical engineering, he joined the radio station with his parents, eventually becoming operations manager and part owner.
After the station was sold, Eric started Hason Pro Music to become Port Huron’s local rock shop and dedicated his time to helping local musicians improve their standing in the music community. He loaded the store with inventory ranging from guitars, guitar accessories, amps and pedals, drum kits, and bass guitars to Ukuleles, mandolins, harmonicas, PA Systems, recording equipment, and banjos.
It’s unlikely to find something at Hanson Pro Music shop that you can resist picking up and wishing you knew how to play and for those who are dying to scratch that musical itch, Hanson Pro Music offers guitar and drum lessons. They’ve even been known to host music clinics featuring well-known guitarists such as Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, Kiss) and Steve Hunter Alice Cooper, Lou Reed) where the community can come for meet-and-greets and ask questions or for advice.
Honesty and trustworthiness are the pillars of Eric’s business model, even if it costs him a sale here and there, and his passion for helping others and his local community are what drives him, but Eric’s biggest message of all?
Shop Local.
To visit Hanson Pro music you can visit 707 Beard St., Port Huron, MI 48060 or call 810-96MUSIC.
