ALABAMACHURCHORGAN - Key Persons

E.E. Forbes opened a family business in Alabama in 1889, and over the next 100 years, he and his family brought the gift of music to thousands of homes, schools, college campuses, and churches who obtained one of their pianos or organs. After his death in 1958, French Forbes, Jr. continued his grandfather's legacy. Realizing that electronic organs and pianos would become popular, Forbes began selling and servicing electronic instruments, and in 1963, became the authorized dealer for the Allen Organ Company, based in Macungie, Pennsylvania. In 1974, Forbes met Jim Sadie, a musician whose church had recently purchased a digital organ. Jim happened to live near the Forbes showroom in Montgomery, and made regular visits to the store to learn more about the new digital technology. While working to maintain a pipe organ at one church, he continued to monitor the evolution of digital technology by the Allen Organ Company. In 2007, Jim was invited to work with Forbes in Montgomery and the surrounding areas. Before retiring, Forbes worked with the the Allen Organ Company and Jim to transition the company from Forbes to J.E.S. Church Organs of Alabama.