Drumming Up Business - Joey Kramer Has A New Gig: Selling Corvettes
Patriot Ledger, MA
July 27, 2005
Just another suburban dad moonlighting to make ends meet - that's what it might look like. But if the rock music thing doesn't work out, Joey Kramer can always support his family selling Corvettes.
The 56-year-old drummer for Aerosmith has a new gig. He is now a partner in Corvette Mike's of New England, a dealership on Route 44 in Plymouth.
If you don't believe it, check out the drum set sitting in the showroom, or the new guy advising customers on the latest gearhead restoration trends.
And that green '69 Camaro in the showroom window? Kramer's.
It's not just an investment or an indulgence. Kramer is into Corvettes, and the owner of the business, Mike Milian, is a friend.
"I've known Mike for years and we had always talked of one day doing something together," Kramer said.
"This is a great way to mix my expertise about cars, together with his expertise, and come up with something worthwhile."
He said the arrangement seems to be working. This is the best month the dealership has had since it opened in 1997.
"The response has been great to me being here," Kramer said. "People get a real kick out of seeing some of my Aerosmith paraphernalia that we have on display here."
Whenever the band's touring schedule allows, the Marshfield resident can be found helping out around the shop. He doesn't go on the road until November.
"I'm really enjoying taking part and working with people," Kramer said. "On a bright, sunny day, talking with people about cars is a lot of fun.
"There is a lot of my Aerosmith stuff here, so people kind of know I'm involved here now. Some are kind of surprised, to be sure, but in a nice way. I've been well received. Of course, all my band partners do their business here, as well, so you never know who you might see."
A lot of guys his age use sports cars to treat a mid-life crisis, but Kramer had a passion for Corvettes long before he could afford one. He has bought two dozen Corvettes through the years and still owns nine Corvettes and other sports cars.
"The Corvette is the first American sports car, and when you consider the bang for your buck, there is no equivalent," he said.
Corvette Mike's sells cars ranging from the classic Corvettes of 1965 to the redesigned 2005 models. They also carry Camaros, Chevelles and other muscle cars.
Another member of Aerosmith introduced Milian to Kramer in 1992 when he was the sales manager of a Chevrolet dealership on the South Shore.
"From there it became a friendship," Milian said. "I've been traveling with the band, doing security for them. I've been on their jet, been to their homes. They're great guys."
Milian has sold several cars to Kramer since he opened the business.
"Joey has always had a passion for cars," Milian said. "He's always said that one day he wanted to be a part of something like this."
For now, the name of the business will remain Corvette Mike's, but Milian said that could change.
"We're deciding on a new logo, putting my logo inside a set of drums," Milian said.
Why?
"Everybody knows Joey Kramer," he said.
July 27, 2005
Just another suburban dad moonlighting to make ends meet - that's what it might look like. But if the rock music thing doesn't work out, Joey Kramer can always support his family selling Corvettes.
The 56-year-old drummer for Aerosmith has a new gig. He is now a partner in Corvette Mike's of New England, a dealership on Route 44 in Plymouth.
If you don't believe it, check out the drum set sitting in the showroom, or the new guy advising customers on the latest gearhead restoration trends.
And that green '69 Camaro in the showroom window? Kramer's.
It's not just an investment or an indulgence. Kramer is into Corvettes, and the owner of the business, Mike Milian, is a friend.
"I've known Mike for years and we had always talked of one day doing something together," Kramer said.
"This is a great way to mix my expertise about cars, together with his expertise, and come up with something worthwhile."
He said the arrangement seems to be working. This is the best month the dealership has had since it opened in 1997.
"The response has been great to me being here," Kramer said. "People get a real kick out of seeing some of my Aerosmith paraphernalia that we have on display here."
Whenever the band's touring schedule allows, the Marshfield resident can be found helping out around the shop. He doesn't go on the road until November.
"I'm really enjoying taking part and working with people," Kramer said. "On a bright, sunny day, talking with people about cars is a lot of fun.
"There is a lot of my Aerosmith stuff here, so people kind of know I'm involved here now. Some are kind of surprised, to be sure, but in a nice way. I've been well received. Of course, all my band partners do their business here, as well, so you never know who you might see."
A lot of guys his age use sports cars to treat a mid-life crisis, but Kramer had a passion for Corvettes long before he could afford one. He has bought two dozen Corvettes through the years and still owns nine Corvettes and other sports cars.
"The Corvette is the first American sports car, and when you consider the bang for your buck, there is no equivalent," he said.
Corvette Mike's sells cars ranging from the classic Corvettes of 1965 to the redesigned 2005 models. They also carry Camaros, Chevelles and other muscle cars.
Another member of Aerosmith introduced Milian to Kramer in 1992 when he was the sales manager of a Chevrolet dealership on the South Shore.
"From there it became a friendship," Milian said. "I've been traveling with the band, doing security for them. I've been on their jet, been to their homes. They're great guys."
Milian has sold several cars to Kramer since he opened the business.
"Joey has always had a passion for cars," Milian said. "He's always said that one day he wanted to be a part of something like this."
For now, the name of the business will remain Corvette Mike's, but Milian said that could change.
"We're deciding on a new logo, putting my logo inside a set of drums," Milian said.
Why?
"Everybody knows Joey Kramer," he said.
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