August 22, 2022 I Anniversary
Blues Angel Music Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Nan and Jim DeStafney
Blues Angel Music of Pensacola, Florida, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Blues Angel was founded in August 1997 by retired Navy Captain and fighter pilot Jim DeStafney. DeStafney and his wife Nan, a retired Navy forensics officer, have owned and operated the business for the last quarter century, employing roughly 40 people, including full-time staff, part-time staff and contract employees.
Over the last 25 years, the DeStafney’s have grown the store from its one-man, 1,000-square-foot beginnings into a 15,000-square-foot, full-line dealership, complete with a fully staffed school of music, B&O rentals, an AVL installation business, short-term P.A. and instrument rentals, an instrument repair shop, door-to-door piano moving services, and a fully stocked sales floor.
The owners and employees’ desire to serve the community through music sparked the creation of the Blues Angel Music Foundation, a nonprofit entity focused on creating opportunities for and promoting music education and therapy for everyone from childhood on.
DeStafney said when he retired, becoming a commercial pilot was not for him.
“On my last tour of duty, I just assumed I would do what most of the guys in my position did — become a commercial airline pilot,” he said. “I didn’t relish the idea. After flying fighters, the idea was pretty boring.”
After 25 years in business, DeStafney said he’s still enjoying working on guitars and talking to customers.
“My customers have become my friends, and my employees have become family.”
