In Memorium: Scott Summerhays, Summerhays Music

Scott Summerhays, the president and CEO of Summerhays Music in Salt Lake City passed away on Nov. 22 following a long-term illness that he battled privately. He was 55.

Summerhays joined the family business early helping out around the school music dealership that was started by his father Hiram.

“I started working at the store when I was 12, pre-computer,” he said in a NAMM interview from 2015. “Obviously, the rent-to-own receivables, they were all on paper. So, literally, my first job was to take a ledger paper and type in the name of the customer, and then write down every single month of their payment all the way down the ledger paper for the entire length of the contract, and write in the amount of the payment.”

Summerhays was well-respected in the industry for his wit and intellect, serving in a variety of mentorship and leadership roles. He was a past president of the National Association of School Music Dealers, a former NAMM board member, a member of many other industry organizations, and an advocate for music and arts education on the local, state and national level.

“Scott was an incredibly vital NAMM member, participating in virtually every way possible and giving selflessly for the good of others,” said Joe Lamond, NAMM president and CEO. “This one hurts badly. We’ve lost a dear friend and industry brother way too soon. His legacy of service to the music community will inspire us all and remind us once again to never take these deep connections for granted.”

To his friends and family, Summerhays was known as a caring individual who was available for advice and assistance for those in need.

“This is a sad time for our industry and for me personally,” said Pat Averwater, a friend and president of Amro Music in Memphis, Tennessee. “Scott was a very dear friend. He took me to my first NBA game to see the Utah Jazz play the Orlando Magic with Shaquille O’Neal. I’ll miss seeing him wearing shorts when it’s snowing, but mostly I’ll miss his quick, analytical mind, and thoughtful, expletive-filled responses.

“He’ll be greatly missed by us all. My deepest sympathies to his wife Jill, daughters Katelyn and Amy, brother Briant, sister Laurel and the entire Summerhays family.”

Summerhays was an avid skier — on water and snow — and was passionate about spending time with his family outdoors. Some of his family’s favorite memories were around a campfire, traveling to water-skiing tournaments or music conventions and simply enjoying company in his backyard.

Laurel Summerhays, Scott’s sister and the company’s vice president, will continue to lead Summerhays Music, which was founded in 1936. Scott’s wife Jill and daughters Amy and Katelyn also work in the family business.

His brother Briant Summerhays is the president of Summerhays Music of Orem, Utah, a separate business.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests pictures of Scott and stories that can be shared at a celebration of life to take place in the near future. Please send all pictures and memories to Cris Behrens at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).