We started our week with some bad news. Bob Clarke of Profundo informed us that Terry Combs, proprietor of Sound Mind Audio in the Dallas area, has passed away.
Terry was easily one of my favorite two or three dealers in the country. He loved music, had a lot of fun with what he was doing and always passed on his enthusiasm to his customers and everyone else he met. That was especially true for 78rpm records--Terry had a wonderful collection and a dedicated system to play them. I interviewed Terry for the March 2011 issue of Perfect Sound Forever (which you can read here), and I also blogged about it right here.
Terry was the only dealer I knew who would get up and dance while customers auditioned systems (back in the adjoining room, so as not to disturb them). He's also responsible for one of my favorite quotes about high-end audio: "If your system doesn't make you cry, it ain't worth that much money!"
Well said, Terry. You were truly one of a kind.
Thank you for this remembrance. I've known Terry since junior high school and love him immensely. Wow, I will miss him so much. Cool Mormon, Air Farce vet (he used to wear a t-shirt that said Air Farce), passionate progressive, really lovely man. Turned me on as a teenager to Jackson Browne Late for the Sky and Traffic and Rod Stewart Gasoline Alley and man, many others. Best herb of my life til I moved to Colorado. RIP Terry.
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you so much, Marc. I was Terry's wife, and I can't tell you how much he enhanced my life with his music. I was his practical accountant, and it took me too long to quit disapproving of his passionate pursuit of perfection to the exclusion of all common sense. He didn't even have a website, because that was too mundane a thing for him to care about. It was all about bringing "the sound" to his clients. Making money at his craft was simply not worth worrying about. I do sorely miss his crazy obsessive soul, and wish for everyone that they may allow themselves to let go of the practical world and pursue their passions, like Terry did. Thank you for bringing me a fresh round of tears, bittersweet this time.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. Terry was indeed unique.
DeleteHhunter.
DeleteJust wondering if Terry worked for Parkland Hospital back in the 80's.
Russell
I am really sorry to hear about this. Terry sold me the tube gear that I am still enjoying. His enthusiasm was infectious. He influenced my tastes and preferences in music and hi fi more than anyone I had met before or since. Rest in Peace, Terry.
ReplyDeleteJohn