Everyone in the music industry knows George Daniels, the 55-year-old owner of George’s Music Room. Puffy calls him Uncle George, R. Kelly claims him as a godfather, and he’s Ron Isley’s right-hand man.
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After 32 years of steady growth, his comfy neighborhood music shop at 3915 W. Roosevelt has become the largest independent music retail store in the midwest, with a recently opened second location in Midway Airport. Dozens of awards hang on his walls; he’s won Impact! Weekly’s award for retail excellence so many times that the trade magazine finally renamed it in his honor. And he’s mentored dozens of black artists and entrepreneurs trying to break into the business.
“He shows a lot of support for the independents in the city,” says Reginald “Big Fub” McKinley, general manager of Legit Ballin’ Records. McKinley first met Daniels while pushing Do or Die’s debut album in 1995. Daniels stocked the album and let the group set up in-store promotions. “He was glad to see us doing something independently and not letting the majors stop us,” says McKinley. “We were trying, and he was supportive of that.”
Now he can be seen dressed to the nines wheeling and dealing at just about every industry function from LA to New York. “He’s the most stylish retailer in the nation,” says Allan Cole, midwest promotions director for Clive Davis’s J Records. He’s even been spotted pulling up to clubs E2 and the Dragon Room on a 1950s Harley Davidson. “Life isn’t over at 55,” he says. “I’m just getting cranked up.”
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): photos/Martha Brock Photography.
