Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Corrigan.
Hi Michael , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
B.A.C. Musical Instruments: Crafting America’s Sound in Kansas City’s Historic Jazz District
I attended a school for musical instrument repair in Minnesota when I was younger. I then took a job in New England apprenticing with a team of dedicated craftsmen, making custom trombones and trumpets. Unfortunately, that company went bankrupt and was bought out by a Chinese Firm. I moved to Kansas City in 2004, and started a small shop out of the utility closet in my basement in Overland Park, KS. Then I grew into my garage, and eventually relocated to a proper ‘shop’ and store front space in South Olathe. We’ve always worked with top professional musicians around the country, given my unique expertise with trombones, but started transitioning more into being a manufacture of high quality instruments. That brings us to today.
In the heart of Kansas City’s Historic Jazz District — the only UNESCO City of Music in the United States — B.A.C. Musical Instruments LLC stands as one of the last remaining American-owned companies manufacturing band instruments in the U.S.
My name is Mike Corrigan, and I’m the Founder and President of B.A.C. Musical Instruments. (Best American Craftsmen) We handcraft trombones, trumpets, bugles, and custom brass instruments right in Kansas City. Every horn is made with care by a small, passionate team carrying forward the art of American instrument making. Alongside their domestic factory, B.A.C. partners with select international factories to produce instruments designed and developed in-house, delivering professional quality at competitive prices.
We’re proud to be one of only a few companies left in America that still make band instruments here at home. Our goal is to create great instruments while keeping them affordable for schools, musicians, and communities.
For years, we supplied over 200 dealers nationwide, equipping music stores that served schools, nonprofits, families who rent instruments and musicians. But a little over a year ago, we made a bold move — eliminating the dealer network and transitioning to a direct-to-customer model, redirecting savings back into the musical community.
That decision has paid off. B.A.C. has since fully outfitted the Roots of Music program in New Orleans, saving the nonprofit over $75,000 compared to competitors’ bids, and supported major organizations like the United States Marine Corps Drum & Bugle Corps, Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps, and numerous colleges and universities across the U.S. This past August, the Boston Crusaders marched to their first-ever DCI World Championship, earning the Jim Ott Award for Best Brass — all on B.A.C. horns. ((This is a very significant accomplishment))
The company’s instruments have graced the world’s biggest stages, from Trombone Shorty at the Super Bowl to Elliot Mason and Vincent Gardner with Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Kameron Whalum with Bruno Mars. Other celebrated artists, including Delfeayo Marsalis, and musicians that back AJR, Beyonce, Janelle Monae, Paul McCartney, John Legend, Kool and the Gang, Blood Sweat and Tears(to name a few) have also chosen B.A.C. instruments for their craftsmanship and sound.
Despite those world-class credentials, B.A.C. remains a family business at its core. In addition to my partners, their spouses and children are part of the team, and Mike’s son — now 15 — built his own bugle at age 13 to play at Scout camp and continues to apprentice in the shop each summer.
Beyond manufacturing, we are passionate about repair education and community development. Working with the Roots of Music, we are working towards piloting a program to train students in musical instrument repair and maintenance, addressing a nationwide shortage of qualified repair technicians. With only three accredited band instrument repair programs in the country, we believe this model could inspire similar initiatives nationwide — combining job readiness with support for local music programs. ((We’d LOVE to do this with KCPS — Something I’ve talked with Dr. Marshall, Fine Arts Coordinator for KCPS about))
This isn’t just about making instruments. It’s about preserving craftsmanship, supporting education, and keeping music accessible.
B.A.C. remains deeply committed to Kansas City. Despite challenges such as an inflated property tax assessment, we plan to invest further in our facility, expanding public tours and enhancing the Historic Jazz District as a destination for music lovers, historians, and students alike.
As independent music stores continue to close or be absorbed by corporate chains, B.A.C. is redefining what a modern manufacturer can be — offering the heart of a mom-and-pop shop with the reach of a national brand. Through online platforms, competitive and innovative nation wide Instrument Rental program, and a mission grounded in community, B.A.C. is proving that craftsmanship, authenticity, and passion still have a powerful place in American music.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In 2001—one year after I’d moved to New England for an apprenticeship building custom trombones—9/11 hit. I was 20, my hours were slashed, and I’d only completed a technical college program in instrument repair. To stay afloat, I launched my first business, B.A.C. Horn Doctor, taking repair work from local stores and individual players until I was hired back full-time. I kept the side hustle alive, and when I relocated to the Kansas City area in 2004, it became my full-time focus.
By 2007, I’d moved into the South Olathe Business Park and grown to three employees—just as the Great Recession began. I was launching my own line of custom jazz trombones and hearing the same thing from players again and again: “This is the best horn I’ve ever played—but I can’t afford it.” Those were hard years. I pushed through with long nights and 90-hour weeks to support the team at the shop and my family at home. Around then, I partnered with Trombone Shorty and began importing select instruments. I saw the big brands shifting production overseas and scaling back U.S. manufacturing; importing was a way to sustain and protect the American craft that inspires me while continuing to build instruments here.
We’ve faced plenty of outsized challenges—economic swings, supply-chain issues, and, of course, COVID-19. Overnight, many of our artists lost their income, and survival replaced momentum. As a smaller company, we’ve also dealt with larger competitors using their size and influence to crowd us out—whether by limiting local visibility or trying to disrupt our progress. Still, our determination and genuine care for musicians and music education have carried us through. In a way, these obstacles have made us stronger.
What keeps us growing is our value proposition to the musical community. Whether you’re a parent looking for an affordable rental, a band director stretching a limited budget, or a touring artist, we work to make a real difference—with quality, honesty, and service. Word of mouth—especially among local families seeking a better value—is our greatest opportunity and, at times, our toughest challenge. But we’re committed to earning it, one instrument and one relationship at a time.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What sets us apart is simple and rare in today’s market. We are one of only two companies in the United States that check all of these boxes:
-100% American-owned
-Operate our own factory in the U.S. (right in Kansas City’s Historic Jazz District)
-Offer a full line across woodwinds, brass, and percussion
We began as a trombone specialty shop, and we’ve earned a reputation for building world-class, player-tailored trombones, especially for commercial and jazz musicians. In recent years, our trumpet line has drawn growing attention for its craftsmanship, consistency, and attention to detail—something we’re very proud of as the brand evolves.
What I’m most proud of comes in two parts. First, the impact we’ve made in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Working there reshaped my view of what a musical instrument company can do—it showed me that craftsmanship and community service are inseparable. Second, I’m proud of the team we’ve built: artisans and staff who share a deep commitment to access, education, and excellence. Our purpose starts with making band more accessible for kids and supporting music educators, and it culminates in crafting instruments that inspire, endure, and elevate the musical community.
In short: we build instruments with care and integrity, and we show up for the communities that make music matter. A side note about me – – – I also built the ORNITHOLOGY installation with renowned artist, Willie Cole. A suite of JazzBirds. (Kansas City’s new iconography)
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
At B.A.C. Musical Instruments, we believe that music should be accessible to every student — regardless of their financial situation or zip code. One of the most meaningful ways people can collaborate with us is by helping to expand our Virtual Booster Club (VBC) program.
The Virtual Booster Club is a national initiative we created to put free musical instruments directly into school band rooms. When a family rents a musical instrument through our VBC platform, a dollar-for-dollar credit is earned for their local school music program. Over time, those credits are used to provide brand-new instruments to schools at no cost.
The impact goes even further — schools can use these donated instruments to strengthen their programs or create a pool of instruments for students who can’t afford to rent, directly addressing equity and access in music education.
We invite families, educators, and organizations to partner with us in this mission. Whether it’s by renting through our program, helping us connect with local schools and districts, or simply spreading the word, every effort supports our goal of making music education sustainable and inclusive for all.
Music changes lives — and together, we can make sure every child gets the chance to experience that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.coolisbac.com
- Instagram: #Coolisbac
- Facebook: @Coolisbac
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bac-musical-instruments
- Other: www.rentmyinstrument.com and www.virtualboosterclub.com
