We love Randy.

Shared thoughts from friends about Randy Tupin. The page is long, be sure and see them all by hitting the button to read more.

Andy Chase Cundiff
When I first got to Amarillo and really needed help getting my music business going, Randy Tupin was there. He is one of the people who say, “Let me know what I can do for you” and means it. He had Randy’s the store, but that wouldn’t have meant anything without Randy the friend.
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Melody Hughes
i am not a musician, however I was the General Mnanger of an album oriented rock station knowns as rock 102, the Kat. As a station we were considered a little “hard” at the time and it was difficult to sway advertisers to “the dark side” (lol!) but no matter what we asked for Randy was always very glad to get involved and help with promotions. Sometimes asking as advertiser to give was a scarey thing but we never felt afraid in dealing with Randy or any member of his staff. On a personal level he and his staff let a little boy named Ash come into his store and attempt to play the guitar. That little boy was my son and has grown up to be a very talented musician and still talks about the “way cool” guys at Randy’s music mart.
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Buddy Squyres
I met Randy at Billy’s Bandaid of course, when I was still in High School. I didn’t realize Randy was from here, and with his strange speech pattern which I determined was an accent, his classy taste in clothing such as the turtleneck and sport coat, and ever present goatee and long hair, I thought he had to be an Eastcoast Jazzer. He was then and always will be the nicest guy you can meet with a genuine interest in people and their music.He would help you with anything you needed. That was the retail Randy. Then I was fortunate enough to play in a few bands with him. Always a great musician and way outclassed the rest of us with his stage attire. I had some of my greatest music moments playing with Randy.

Now, I also have had many opportunities to work with Randy putting together huge shows that we did for Hastings. he always let me put together the crew that I wanted and he always saw to it that we had everything we needed and negotiated all the business so we were able to just concentrate on putting on a good show. That was a great business relationship that many of us will never forget. Now on to my PBS experience. Many times we would feature a music act for a television special and most times we didn’t have a budget required for the sound and lights needed. Randy would always just say “we’ll figure it out so that everyone is happy”. I’m sure many times he probably didn’t make anything but everyone involved was payed. He just wanted to see things happen for our musicians and many times it came from his own pocket. He is the most generous person I know and many music careers were kick started by his generosity. We are all better people and musicians for knowing Randy.

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Rex Girard

i knew randy first as a musician,he was in the rioteers..i consider him a old friend.i used to go fuzzy’s and see love peace and happiness with nicky and his wonderful wife …we do miss herbilly stull and randy,he was the salesman helped me get going and i have never stopped,,he always had that sense of style,maybe it rubbed out on me,always the first to give me a break and any one else,love ya my friend..your old friend ..rex girard

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Steve Andrew

I first met Randy in his shop. Bought instruments for my sons and myself there… guitars, strings, picks, sheet music, cases and accessories, even some lessons for one of my sons. It was always so comfortable at Randy’s Music Mart because it wasn’t like he or his staff were trying just to sell you stuff, but were really interested in what you were doing or trying to do. Always friendly and helpful. Randy was always encouraging and, as Buddy said, seemed to be knowledgeable from some huge unknown background. I actually didn’t know, but suspected, he was a musician until later when I heard him play keyboards with some band and was blown away! An all around friendly, talented, nice guy. You couldn’t help but smile when he was around and you wouldn’t even know what you were smiling about. Just his cool presence I guess.

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Johnny Reverb Holston
I’ve known Tupie since high school. Played in about 3 or 4 bands with him. Worked with him for a short while at Billys Band Aid and for 7 years at Randys Music Mart. We know each other secrets and love each others music.

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Scott Nelson
Sign me up! Of course. like everyone, I’ve known Randy since the mid sixties. I too worked with RT at Billy’s Band Aid & he is one of my dearest life-long buds. Not to mention, he introduced me to Beverly… RT has been one of my strongest allies in continuing to be able to play music, whether it was through his music store or shooting a gig my way. Two words come up for me when you mention Randy – True blue.

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Bob Flesher

I met Randy when he was with the Riot Tears around 1968. He later played with Cold Duck, and then with Love Peace and Happiness. We started playing together in Ten High in 1975 and what a wild ride it was. I also did time with Randy at Billy’s Band Aid and of course ten years at the Music Mart. He has always been a great supporter of the local musicain and helped shaped the what it is today. I think we all take for granted how many good players live in Amarillo and without Randy’s help, it just would not be that way. One of the craziest stories was when we were scheduled to play at some dive on Amarillo Blvd. His brother, (Potter County chief deputy)advised us that the owner was a scumbag and involved in criminal activity. We canceled the gig and the next night his parents house was riddled with 6 bullet holes. The scumbag eventully went to the pen and Tupie’s parents were OK. We were all on pins and needles for some time.

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Cathleen Cat Tyson

I met Randy back in the Love, Peace and Happiness Band days best I can remember, maybe before that. He played in the band with Nick, my brother and Lieshia, whom we love and miss. And I also hung out at Billy’s Band Aid when I was old enough to drive. I drew a portrait of Randy in my empty book at age 13. Randy always has been and continues to be an encouragement in many facets of my life. I have watched him work tirelessly on Funfest, Block Parties, concerts, entertaining, and just lending a hand to bands, artist or churches in need. One day, my mom was in charge of an event that needed a small sound system outside to dedicate a historical marker – Randy hooked me up in a moment’s notice without question. Made me look important, but it was Randy’s kindness and support that made it happen. Randy has also blessed me with his talent playing the organ in more bands I can remember. Let’s get a list together; Randy will have to name them for us… Thank you Randy for being such a good friend. Love you!

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Scott Nall

I met Tupie when I was 13 when my Mother and I were looking for my first drum kit. He showed us a Zeko clear kit at Billy’s band aid. We didn’t get that one but I kept going back to Billy’s to buy sticks and Tupie always knew me and helped. he encouraged me to play and I listened! Fast forward, I bought my Ludwig classics from Randy’s Music mart and about a million pairs of sticks in the 80′s! Randy was always there for me! Randy and I played in a cool band called the Velcro Brothers (Woody Key, Jimmy Doche, Bob Flesher, Randy Tupin and me). Fun band! I also worked for Randy as a salesman and took care of the percussion department from ’97 – ’98. I have so many memories with Randy…but I ain’t tellin’! I am proud and honored to be Randy Tupin’s friend and brother! I love that man! GO TUPIE!

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Donna Timmons Brown

At one time Randy decided to become a newspaper magnate & backed a little newspaper called “Centerstage”…his answer to promoting live music in a one newspaper town that didn’t! Randy hired me to sell advertising & that relationship resulted in creating a Music Association that did some pretty amazing things during that time! Randy served Treasurer. I lovingly call Randy the “Godfather” of the Amarillo music scene & a true friend to starving artists & musicians!

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Debbie Warden

These are great stories! I met Randy years ago at Billy’s Band Aid and then when he was with Blackstone got to know him a little better. A great guy!

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James Woody Key

I first met Randy at the brand-new Amarillo Civic Center, where his band, the Rioteers, and the band I was in, the Underground Press, were playing Battle of the Bands, which was the very first event held in the Coliseum. Souled Out and The Undertakers were there too, and some others that I can’t remember. Randy has always been a positive force in my musical and real life. He’s a loving man. I love him too.

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Robert Workman

Randy make you a good deal on a Peavey, come see you use it, make you feel good about what you did with it….may good karma come to him…

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Ronny Dean Garrett

I bought a pa from Randy and that started the ball rolling. Yes, he was a great salesman for musicians because he made you feel good about BEING a musician!!! The things Randy let me take out and try out and bring back and pay it out and sometimes work it out. Holy Moly, not today! When i was there last summer for Billy Stulls reunion gig, Randy came up to me and said something to me that blew me away.Suffice to say, he is one of a kind and a truly kind man. I hope he plays organ at my wake!!!! When Im 90!!!!!!

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Tony Naples

I met Randy officially when he worked at Billy’s. He always was nice and would work with you to make you the best deal possible. Through the years was have become great friends and have played together in The Twisters and he played with the Automatics for a while…..even thought he always called it “Vic Fontane” instead of Vic Fontana? hahahaha! One year we played Rajun Cajun and there bigger than life was our banner above the stage, “Vic Fontane & The Automatics!….still makes me laugh. In all my years knowing Randy, I have never heard him say a bad thing about anybody. If you’re a musician in Amarillo or the surrounding area, chances are Randy has went out of his way to see to it you had what you needed to make your music! Thank you Mr. Tupin for everything and for your friendship! I love you buddy!!

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Randy Smith

I met Randy Tupin years ago when I used to frequent Billy’s Band Aid; and then at his store on Paramount I would see him from time to time; always friendly and took the time to say hello; I found out later that he went to PD when I saw him in my wife’s high school yearbook and that they were in the same class; he was always around doing the sound at the Anderson Merchandisers Music shows at the Civic Center and the warehouse concerts there as well; he had his people did the sound in the Civic Center in 2004 at a Catholic Youth service that our youth group played in; I had my own sound man; the sound was spot on as usual;Good Luck Randy and I hope your treatments help and that you recover.”Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments
that take our breath away.”   –George CarlinGod Bless -
Randy Smith

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Mike Fuller

Randy has always been very supportive and encouraging to me and my family.  He’s helped me out on many occasions.  I bought my well-loved, well-used Taylor from Randy’s.  Karl Thurmond called me up one day at the end of 1997, and said “Dude- you gotta come look at this Taylor we just got in.  This is your guitar.”  And it was.

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Drexel Ammons

I moved from Borger to Amarillo in 1971. Being new in town I was a very lonely drummer! I began hanging out at Billy’s and met the coolest guy–His name was Randy Tupin. His band (Love Peace and Happiness) was looking for a second drummer and he ask if I would want to try out for the job. I auditioned and became a member of my very first Amarillo band. I was so excited to be playing with the big boys!!! So began my musical career in Amarillo Texas. It has been a wonderful ride and I owe it all to Randy for giving me a chance–Thanks Randy!! No really–Thanks Randy–Thanks for all of your support over the years but most of all Thanks for being my friend!

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