Camelot Music: Because You Were There. A celebration event and reunion.

To my dear Camelot family,

Thank you for attending our reunion, celebrating 70 years since Paul founded Stark Record Service, later becoming Camelot Music. I can’t tell you how excited I was to see so many of you, after all these years. I have always believed Camelot people are happy people… this celebration was one of the happiest days of my life!

I’m also grateful to Jeff and the group of Camelot “old-timers” who worked to bring this event to such perfection. Paul would have loved it as much as I did!

The reunion was our way of thanking all of you for your efforts working in our office, our warehouse, and in our stores. “Because you were there” our David Foundation continues to serve our community, fulfilling Paul’s dream.

Love to all,
Carol David

The 70th Anniversary Celebration

The Camelot Story: ‘Because You Were There’

Working for Camelot Music was a life-changing experience for hundreds of great people, from the 1950’s until the 1990’s. Our founder, Paul David, had a vision of creating a unique company which put people first. The culture resembled that of the mythical Camelot in its values and loyal service to all people: employees, customers and the music industry luminaries. Paul succeeded beyond expectations, largely because Camelot attracted people who love the music business, and are devoted to the company they helped Paul build.

For years, rumors of a Camelot Music reunion were abuzz on social media. Camelot Nation, now scattered throughout the country, networked to get their dream of a reunion to anyone who might help get it done. At last, they were heard by Carol David, Camelot’s matriarch, who thought it was a wonderful idea. Mrs. David quickly “drafted” a team of retired Camelot geezers with orders to make it happen! 
After a year of planning, the long-awaited Camelot Reunion was held on September 14, 2025. It was a huge success!

More than 250 former Camelot Associates gathered in Canton, Ohio, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of our founding, and to 
pay tribute to the astounding growth of the Paul and Carol 
David Foundation, their charitable legacy started in 1980. The event was themed: “Because You Were There” signifying the Davids’ heart-felt thanks to the Camelot Family for their contributions of time and effort in making Camelot Music so successful.

Consider this Fact: Camelot Music was sold and eventually closed down nearly 30 years ago! Yet, the loyalty to the Camelot brand, the Davids, and to each other, inspired hundreds of 60 and 70 year-olds to “come home” one more time. What a story!

Thanks to all who made the trip and best wishes to those who couldn’t—we missed you. Please enjoy the Reunion videos and photos on this site.

Paul David: Fouder, Visionary "Our Big Daddy"
The Paul & Carol David Foundation: Empowering Children and Strengthening Families
a collection of images of the Camelot Music Field Team
an assortment of images of the Camelot Music field team
A collection of images of the Camelot Music office and people
Camelot Music Store land. A collection of images of Grapevine Records and Tapes, Blue Stores, Brown Stores, Gray Stores, and Specialty & Super stores.
A collection of images of the Camelot Music warehouse and its employees
a collection of Camelot Music merchandising displays
An assortment Camelot Music brands and logos
Images of Celebrity sightings at Camelot Music
In loving memory of Bobby David, Paul David, Jim Bonk and other deceased Camelot Music employees.
“If I wouldn’t have happened to pick up the Canton Repository in August 1965 and saw a one-inch ad in the Help Wanted section saying that a $1 an hour job as a clerk in a new record store…applications were being accepted. And then going downtown for the interview, taking the job, and having that decision shape my whole life bringing me so much success, adventure and lifelong friendships. Friendships that I look forward to rekindling at our gathering at Gervasi.”

– Joe Bressi, Sr. Vice President of Purchasing and Marketing

“8000 Freedom Ave. was not a building. It was where we gathered every day to give the best of ourselves to enable Camelot Music to be the icon in the music retail industry. We all laughed, cried, argued, sang along with the music on the overhead, acted like groupies when a music star stopped by and got their autograph, celebrated our successes, and lived through challenges and changes in uncertain times.”

– Lauire Quinn, Human Resources

“Imagine you are 16 years old and looking for your first real job. You end up landing one in a record store. Little did you know at the time that this is where you would grow up for the next 15 years, and this amazing group of people would become your family. We were so fortunate to have had this experience. To create lasting friendships and memories.”

– Gail Haas Baker, Store Manager

“There is one thing I’ve realized over the past 10-15years….life IS short! When you have a chance to rekindle some great moments from our Camelot Music days, instead of wondering “if only”, how about an opportunity to re-live them! I thought this day would never come, but with the hard work of some great people it has become a reality!”

– “Fast Eddie” Wilner, Store Manager, Buyer

“Camelot Music for me was the best company in the world to work for. I actually looked forward to getting to work every day! Everyone who worked at 8000 Freedom Avenue was family. We all worked hard but played harder. Looking forward to Sept 14th and playing hard again!”

– Donnie Schneider, Distribution Center General Manager

“To me, this reunion is a gift. It’s unimaginable that at my age, I will have one more opportunity to connect with hundreds of old friends. One more time to re-hash the good old days of store set-ups and grand openings; Camelot neckties and Repeat Performer punch cards. Most of all, to celebrate the story of our collective success in the record biz. And, to reveal the role we all played in creating a new purpose for the Camelot Legacy…because you were there.”

– Larry Mundorf, Sr. Vice President of Operations

“The reason I am attending this reunion event is to have one more opportunity to meet and mingle with the many Camelot managers (friends!) I have known and to reconnect with the corporate employees who have made such a difference in my life.”

– Dana Hoerner, Store Manager

“I’ve been asked to express why I’m eager to fly 2,400 miles to attend a gathering with people I haven’t worked with in 40 years. It goes beyond the fact that Camelot Music gave me not just a job, but the perfect job, at a time when I was desperate for employment. Camelot became my home. Later, during my time at Billboard, I came to realize that Camelot was one of the very best music chains in the history of the record business, respected by large and small labels AND by its competitors. That speaks volumes about our legacy.”

– Geoff Mayfield, Corporate Media and Communications

“My journey began as a Kent State graduate in 1985, and little did I know that a seasonal summertime associate position with Camelot Music at Southern Park store # 120, would chart my course for my professional career. I became a manager-in-training under Chris Connors and. eventually graduated from one of the first Camelot Tech cohorts. It was there that I learned Paul David’s firm belief that ‘nothing has ever been created that can replace good people’.”

– Dave Shively, Store Manager

“I was so fortunate to see almost everyone in the office, many in the warehouse and talk to so many of our field personnel on the phone. People at Camelot influenced my life in such a positive way. I could never figure out, and still marvel at, how Camelot Music got so many great people to work for one company.”

– Lori (Foraker) Bangham, Human Resources, Receptionist

Thanks to all who made the trip and best wishes to those who couldn’t—we missed you.