Al Williams is the piano tuner/technician and owner of Texoma Piano Service & Sales. Al was born and raised in Pasadena, Texas, a suburb of Houston. After high school Al attended and graduated from East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas. Wherever Al has lived, music has been an important part of his life and economic well-being. He has played piano and fiddle with groups throughout Texas and southern Oklahoma including Mickey Gilley's nightclub in Pasadena, Texas, Arnold's Club in Colbert, Oklahoma, and 100s of VFWs and dives in-between.
In the late 70's Al became aware of piano tuning as a profession and moved to Denison, Texas for his formal training. After completing the one year, 40 hour per week program, Al was hired by Olan Atherton as piano tuner for Atherton Music in Sherman, Texas. Olan, a fine musician/ piano tuner and member of long standing in the Piano Technicians Guild, encouraged Al to join the Piano Technicians Guild and study to become an RPT (Registered Piano Technician). This designation is achieved by passing rigorous testing in the areas of tuning theory, tuning, and repairs, all of which Al achieved. Al is still a member in good standing of the Dallas Chapter of the Piano Technicians Guild. Al continued working and improving his tuning skills under Olan Atherton's tutelage until the sale of the store in the mid 90's.
At this time Al began his own tuning business, Texoma Piano Service & Sales. As business increased shop space became a problem, so in 1999 the business was moved from Woods Street in Sherman to a 1500 square foot facility in Cartwright, Oklahoma, just across the Denison Dam.
In the shop, our day-to-day type work consists mainly of high end piano refinishing, grand action rebuilding and regulation, and belly work. (Restringing, pinblock repair or replacement, soundboard refurbishing and repair etc.) Should your piano require more extensive work, such as a completely new soundboard and bridges, we can direct you to specialists in such work.
Jody, Al's better half, is whom you are likely to speak to on the telephone when making a tuning appointment. She is the office manager, bookkeeper, girl Friday, and sometimes-piano moving helper, much to her dismay. Jody is a Durant Oklahoma native and graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma University.
|