I got married in 1976 (only 18) and was working for Tri-tech electronics and also Davenport electronics (CB shops) in SW Houston at that time. After that i went to CB Service Center (old Katy Road) for a while installing and repairing CB radios and car stereos. I was recruited away from them to a company called Texas Radio where I worked as installer(Westhiemer/Voss) and eventually store manager (FM1960 east of Kuykendahl).

IN 1978/79 I moved to a large nationwide chain based here in Houston called Custom Hi Fi and was there until 1982. Custom Hi Fi was a fantastic place to work, we had a huge volume of car stereo and the best way to get really good at installing is to do a lot of cars everyday!

In the Early 1980s a few folks started wanting more Hi End car audio installations, separate amplifiers, more speakers and so on.. I was recruited away by a small company called Car-Trek and managed a small installation only garage that catered to the stores that were starting to sell Car Audio but didn’t have installers. We installed for all the shops that didn’t install. It was interesting and there was some hi end work.. Being a Hi Fi guy (home) I really loved seeing it transition into cars.

In 1983 I was recruited again, this time by a Houston Hi End Home Audio institution called HOME ENTERTAINMENT… At home entertainment some of the manufacturers like Yamaha and Nakamichi were starting to chatter about Car Audio so Home Entertainment thought it was a good idea to have some installers… We also sold Concord, ADS, Soundstream and Proton at the time.. This was pretty much all hi end work, some very picky listeners and we worked under very technical conditions with plenty of test equipment and the best tools. A great time..

In 1990 I left Home Entertainment and partnered with a buddy in a computer venture.. We had partnered in writing some software that went worldwide a few years before and in 1990 we were bought out by a pre internet online company.. We were building PCs and doing some anti-virus work..

My previous car audio customers were seeking me out, I was doing cars in my garage at home, and in the parking lot at our computer offices.. I loved car audio… So I decided to leave the computer biz and to Open my own car audio shop..

River Oaks Car Stereo was born in Sept 1990 In a shop at 5500 Weslayan in the back of the shopping center. The Shopping center owners knew me from my time at home entertainment and were very helpful bending a few of the strict shopping center rules to help me get started on a small budget. For the first few months it was just me and a toolbox.. But I did have a huge following of loyal customers from my past so I didn’t starve..

We did fairly well stuck behind a shopping center, we had good relations with the neighbors (lots of recommendations from them) we developed some great relations with the local police.. West University Police, Southside Police, Houston Police and Bellaire Police.. We had Shopping center security and the police business really boomed .. Once a cop knows a shop is cop friendly that word of mouth spreads… And I can never forget my loyal customers, I sent out mailers, did some low rent radio and newspaper adds and when previous customers found out where I was many came to just visit. Or better yet get some work done..

We moved the Store to 4129 Richmond Ave in May of 1994.

Edward Runner Sr:
License: NU5K
Owner River Oaks Car Stereo

Dwayne Jones:
License: KB5YTA
Dwayne has been with River Oaks Car Stereo since 2000.
Dwayne specialized in two way radio and ham radio installations which includes emergency vehicles and emergency lighting on cars, trucks and even motorcycles. Dwayne is a specialist with parts integration, what fits in each car.