After pursuing a music education degree at Arkansas Tech University, Craig Heinrich completed his certification in Band Instrument Repair at the Allied Music Corporation in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, in August of 1986. Frustrated with working for music stores that put the quantity ahead of the quality repairs that musicians demand, and seeing a need for a higher level of service in Northwest Arkansas, he decided to move back home and open an independent repair shop. In October of 1987 in Fayetteville, AR, The Bandsmith opened its doors for the first time. The shop was moved to Springdale in May of 1996, and is now located in Rogers, AR.

Mr. Heinrich stays actively involved in the Northwest Arkansas musical community. He is a tubist for the Arkansas Winds Concert Band and Eb tubist for the Ozark Mountains British Brass Band. From 1982 to 1984, he was a member of the Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps (contrabass bugle). He has been a member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians since 1987. In 2013, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Physics (Mathematical Sciences minor) from the University of Arkansas.