Michael Erlewine Promoted to President of Elderly Instruments

April 5th, 2024 - Lansing, MI

Elderly Instruments, a leading retailer of used and new fretted musical instruments announces the promotion of Michael Erlewine to the position of President, effective immediately.

Bringing over a decade of experience, passion, and insight to his new role, Michael Erlewine has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the company's success and has played a pivotal role in implementing transformative changes across the organization. 

"Michael's promotion to President is a testament to his exceptional leadership skills, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to our company's values," said Lillian Werbin, CEO and co-owner of Elderly Instruments. "His extensive experience and deep understanding of our business make him the ideal candidate to lead Elderly Instruments into its next chapter."

Michael Erlewine's journey at Elderly Instruments began on the sales floor 13 years ago, where he quickly pivoted to developing video content and established the company’s social media presence. Promoted to Director of Sales and Marketing in 2017, Michael merged the phone and showroom sales teams into a unified force, introduced a cutting-edge point of sale system, and formed a dedicated marketing team. His aim to bring the store’s intimate showroom experience online led to groundbreaking 360° instrument photography and an engaging, content-rich media approach alongside social media specialist AJ Glaub. Progressing to Director of IT and Marketing in 2019, Michael oversaw a comprehensive website overhaul, eased the transition to remote work in 2020, and orchestrated a major update of the company's digital infrastructure in 2023.

Michael Erlewine's promotion to President comes at a crucial juncture for Elderly Instruments as the company continues to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of its customers and community. Michael will oversee company operations in his new role, working closely with department leaders to implement strategic initiatives and drive continued success.

Reflecting on his promotion, Michael Erlewine expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Elderly Instruments forward “It’s an incredible honor to step into the role of President. I look forward to working closely with our amazing team to build upon the legacy of Elderly Instruments.” said Erlewine “Our journey ahead will be shaped by the pursuit of continuous improvement, innovation, and a culture that values open and honest communication.”

Michael Erlewine's heritage is steeped in music, tracing back to the Ann Arbor music scene of the early 1960s, where his father, also named Michael, and Uncle Dan were in The Prime Movers, a blues band that featured a young Iggy Pop on drums. Beyond their performances, his father went on to establish AllMusic, a comprehensive music database. Dan Erlewine has since gained fame for his exceptional guitar repair skills. Michael’s cousin Mark Erlewine is also a distinguished luthier, known for his care of Willie Nelson’s legendary guitar, Trigger. The musical legacy endures with Michael's sisters, Anne and May Erlewine, both of whom are respected singer-songwriters, adding their unique voices to the family’s musical contributions.

On the heels of being named America’s Top Small Business in 2023, Elderly Instruments is poised for a vibrant chapter under Lillian Werbin and Michael Erlewine's leadership, deepening its legacy as a cornerstone of the musical instrument retail landscape.

 

For further information, please contact:

Lillian Werbin

CEO, Elderly Instruments

Email: lillianw@elderly.com

 

 

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