In a time of infinite online shopping options, Kraft Music remains a leading, trusted, and respected music technology store in the United States. Founded in the late 1970s by Roger Kraft, we incorporated and became Kraft Music in 1984. Having started as a boutique keyboard and synthesizer shop serving the Milwaukee area, Kraft Music embraced all of the new technological advances being made in the industry. More advancements continued in 1994 when Roger’s son, Ben, began assisting fellow keyboard players through online chat rooms, newsgroups, and websites. This early Internet presence helped establish Kraft Music as one of the oldest and most trusted online music retailers!
Fast forward to today and Kraft Music is one of the Top 25 Music Retailers in the United States, named by Music Trades. The company is now owned and operated by Ben Kraft, successfully navigating the ever-changing world of e-commerce. We are honored to have received many accolades over the years due to our tremendous growth and dedication.
Located just outside of Milwaukee in Franklin, Wisconsin, we are centrally located to serve the entire United States. We are staffed almost entirely by active musicians, so we empathize and understand the needs of our customers, giving you the same friendly “Ma & Pa” service Kraft customers received back in 1984. Our family-owned business continues to create more music-makers, providing the best customer experience.
We invite you to join the thousands of gigging musicians, hobbyists, beginners, and enthusiasts who have chosen Kraft Music as their music technology store. We can’t wait to serve you!
We aim to fill our social media channels with useful and interesting content for all types of musicians. From expert product demos and performances, to news about the latest gear to hit the market; we are here as a resource for you. We also love to hear from our customers, so reach out and let us know how we're doing!
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Web business grows and forces a move, as the current small space could not handle the growing business.
The first kraftmusic.com secure e-commerce site is created, and begins a couple of decades of growth and expansion.
Roger sells the business to son Ben, and Kraft Music focuses on its e-commerce future.
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.
Kraft Music’s growth propels us to the esteemed Music Trades list of Top 200 Musical Instrument Dealers.
The Kraft Music YouTube Channel begins. 60 Million views later, it remains a major part of our day-to-day efforts.
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.
Our relationship with “Guitars For Vets” begins with a donation from Ben and Nikki Kraft of (100) Yamaha FG Acoustic Guitars.
The Milwaukee Business Journal includes Kraft Music as one their “Fastest Growing Firms."
National magazine publisher Music & Sound Retailer names Kraft Music the “Single Store Dealer of the Year."
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.
Special thanks to all of our customers, friends, vendors, and employees - our team - who have supported us during this journey.
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. Operating more than 80 chapters in 40 states across the country, 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 logistics regarding warehousing, packing, shipping, and tracking of their guitars, supplying all boxes, materials, and labor for orders of guitar packages for graduates. All of this is done at no charge to Guitars for Vets and we have been able to increase the accuracy and speed of this part of the program, giving each shipment the same care and attention that we do for every customer. By donating our space and resources, we hope to serve the veterans who have selflessly served our country.
Nikki and Ben Kraft donating our first 100 guitars in 2013 to Patrick and Eric of G4V.
Performance by Guitars For Vets Graduates.
