A QUICK HISTORY OF KRAFT MUSIC
1978
Founder, Roger Kraft
Roger performs as a keyboard player, organist, and trumpeter in multiple bands and as a solo act from the time that he’s a teenager. He’s always “ahead of the curve,” pushing the limits of the organ and synthesizer products available at the time. He created this custom organ in 1978 that included the guts of a Hammond B3, a Moog Satellite, Minimoog, and an ARP String Ensemble. This creation later surfaces in 1999 as Keyboard Magazine’s featured “Keyboard of the month.”
1984
The Beginning of “Kraft Keyboards”
Roger's interest in music and technology takes him into the music product business, as he sees a need for a store focused on the latest gear. Kraft Keyboards is incorporated, serving musicians seeking analog, digital, hi-tech synthesizers, keyboards, recording gear, and the newly created computer-music category of products. This "store-within-a-store” is first located in West Allis, WI, inside Ralph Hanzel Music.
1986
Milwaukee’s Eastside Synth Store
Shortly after incorporating, Kraft Keyboards relocates to Milwaukee's Eastside, which quickly became THE technology store to visit in southeastern Wisconsin. Clients drove long distances to put their hands on new technology, such as the Emu Emulator, Ensoniq EPS, Roland D-50, and Korg M1, MOTU Performer and others.
1994
The Internet
Roger’s son Ben joins Kraft Keyboards to begin serving musicians throughout the U.S. while utilizing the internet and services like AOL™, CompuServe™, and Usenet newsgroups.
1995
First Website
Kraft's first website was born in 1995, and the name was changed to "Kraft Music" to broaden the scope of what the company could be.
1997
New Brookfield Location
Web business grows and forces a move, as the current small space could not handle the growing business.
2000
Secure E-commerce Site Launched
The first kraftmusic.com secure e-commerce site is created, and begins a couple of decades of growth and expansion.
2001
Second Generation
Roger sells the business to son Ben, and Kraft Music focuses on its e-commerce future.
2007
Larger Facility Built
Once again, Kraft runs out of space and is forced to move. This time, a much larger facility was built, allowing for much room for expansion.
2008
Top 200
Kraft Music’s growth propels us to the esteemed Music Trades list of Top 200 Musical Instrument Dealers.
2009
YouTube™
The Kraft Music YouTube Channel begins. 100+ Million views later, it remains a major part of our day-to-day efforts.
2012
Distribution Center
Double-digit year over year gains, yet again, puts a squeeze on space. Kraft Music opens their first dedicated Distribution Center nearby in Franklin, WI.
2013
Guitars for Vets
Our relationship with “Guitars For Vets” begins with a donation from Ben and Nikki Kraft of (100) Yamaha FG Acoustic Guitars.
2014
More Growth
The Milwaukee Business Journal includes Kraft Music as one their “Fastest Growing Firms."
2014
Dealer of the Year
National magazine publisher Music & Sound Retailer names Kraft Music the “Single Store Dealer of the Year."
2018
Oakwood Park Headquarters
Oakwood Park Headquarters - A new goal has been achieved! In March of 2018, we moved our entire team into a 72,000 square foot facility that combines Sales, Marketing, and Fulfillment.
2019
Kraft Music’s 35th Anniversary!
Special thanks to all of our customers, friends, vendors, and employees - our team - who have supported us during this journey.
2024
We’ve hit another milestone - 40 years in business!
We could not have done it without our customers, employees and vendor partners.
Kraft Music and Guitars for Vets
Since 2012, Kraft Music has been working closely with Guitars for Vets, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2007. Now operating more than 140 chapters in 40 states across the country (and abroad), Guitars for Vets has refined a guitar instruction program aimed at providing a unique and supportive experience for Veterans who struggle with physical injuries, PTSD, and other emotional distress. Kraft Music is responsible for all of the logistics regarding warehousing, packing, and shipping the guitars that are awarded to graduates of this remarkable program. We are proud to serve the veterans who have selflessly served our country. To learn more about Guitars For Vets, visit their website at https://guitars4vets.org/
Nikki and Ben Kraft donating our first 100 guitars in 2013 to Patrick and Eric of G4V.
Performance by Guitars For Vets Graduates.
Awards
- 2024, Roland USA “Excellence in Sales Award”
- 2024, Reverb Marketplace “Top 300 Seller”
- 2023, Reverb Marketplace “Top 300 Seller”
- 2022, Newsweek, “Best Online Shops, Musial Equipment Category"
- 2018, Kawai “Dealer of the Year - Professional Products
- 2017, Music & Sound Retailer “Single-Store Dealer of the Year”
- 2017, Casio - “2017 Key Partner”
- 2016, Kawai “Dealer of the Year - Professional Products”
- 2016, Presonus “Dealer of the Year”
- 2016, Korg USA “Dealer of the Year
- 2015, Kawai “Dealer of the Year - Professional Products”
- 2015, Korg USA Key Note Award - Commitment to Excellence
- 2014, Alfred Music “Premier Dealer”
- 2014, Milwaukee Business Journal - “Fastest Growing Firms”
- 2014, Nord “Record Sales Achievement Award”
- 2014, Roland/Boss - Outstanding Achievement
- 2014, On-Stage “Dealer of the Year” award
- 2017, Roland/Boss - Sales Excellence
- 2014, Kawai “Dealer of the Year - Professional Products”
- 2013, Music Inc. “Retailer Excellence Award”
- 2013, Moog Music, Inc. “Dealer of the Year - Midwest Region”
- 2013, Korg USA Key Note Award - Commitment to Excellence
- 2012, Korg USA Key Note Award - Commitment to Excellence
- 2012, Music Inc. “Retail Excellence Award”
- 2011, Fender Passport “Top 10 Sales Performer”
- 2011, Korg USA Key Note Award - Commitment to Excellence
- 2010, Music Inc. “Retail Excellence Award - Best Niche”
- 2009, Music Trades “Top 200"
YOUR MUSIC TECHNOLOGY STORE SINCE 1984