Wisconsin

Peter Heid enjoyed his career playing with many of the dance bands of the 1930s and 1940s in his hometown of Appleton, Wisconsin. After the war, he used his love of music to open a small store, Heid Music, in the heart of downtown Appleton. The store continued to grow over the years as Peter found specific product niches and sales techniques. However, he always looked for ways to increase the store’s relevance to the music community around them.

Paul Heid grew up in the music retail world. His father formed Heid Music in Appleton, WI, and Paul along with his brother, Robert, followed in their father’s footsteps. Paul served on several industry boards including NASMD and NAMM. During his time on the NAMM Board, Paul served as Chairman (2003-2005) and was instrumental in the establishment of NAMM International and NAMM’s relationship with China in the early 2000’s.
 

John LaBouve’s background is in business and marketing. When he married into the Goodell Family, he took a chance at working in his father-in-law’s music store, Goodell Music in Sheboygan, WI. He began in 1974 and soon took over the store as president and owner. During the interview, John discussed how he kept the store on track and well balanced as trends came and went, and as new challenges appeared such as big box stores and the Internet. For John, what continues is a devotion to his customers and a caring approach to developing music makers in the community.  

Paul Leithold is the fourth generation to run the Leithold Music store, along with his sister Abbie. The La Crosse, Wisconsin-based store was established in 1888 as a piano store and repair shop. Just like his great-grandfather, Paul was trained as a piano tuner and has overseen many elements of the company including the band, orchestra and combo departments. He has created the store’s web site and stayed abreast of technology to uncover new areas of growth for the company.

Roger Leithold recalls moving into the historic building where Leithold Music is located on Fourth Street in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The building was originally a furniture store created in 1889. When the Leithold's moved their store into the building in 1964 the store was actually older than the building. Roger’s grandfather formed a piano store in 1888. Roger ran the company after his father and passed it along to his daughter Abbie and son Paul.

Abbie Leithold-Gerzema is the co-owner of Leithold Music in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Abbie and her brother also share management duties in the store that their great-grandfather established in 1888. Abbie graduated from Drake University with a music degree in Pipe Organ and Music Business. In the store she runs the piano and keyboard departments as well as creating the store’s advertisements. She is involved in the music and worship programs of the First Presbyterian Church of La Crosse and has been very active in the local music education programs.
 

Jim Lo Duca’s father and uncle were the original Lo Duca Brothers, who formed a small music store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that opened for business on December 1, 1941. Seven days later America was attacked in Pearl Harbor and soon after that Jim’s uncle was drafted. Jim’s father, Tom, was too young to be drafted so he stayed to maintain the store. During that time he enrolled students for his accordion programs, which went on to serve over 1,000 students and employed 30 teachers. Tom designed several student-proof models, which was later distributed by Sears under the Silver Tone name. When Jim joined the company full time he oversaw the relationship with Sears, which lasted more than 30 years.

Ellen McDonald is a passionate music retailer who has strived to create programs and events that encourage her community to take part in active music making. Hartland Music, located in Hartland, Wisconsin, just west of Milwaukee, is home to over 2000 weekly music students and has become the musical hub of the surrounding area. Ellen and her husband designed their current location to include teaching studios, a performance area, a separate piano room, large display areas, a music therapy center and even a coffee bar! The best part of Hartland music is the comfort level you feel when walking into the store and the friendly staff that greets you. It’s encouraging enough to make you want to pick up an instrument and make music! 

Ruth Ann Melk recalled the days when her husband’s father would design specialized tools for the repair of musical instruments, which her husband, Phil Jr, soon developed into a full time job and career. She said he was delighted to quit his day job as milk man and devote his time and energy into something he loved. In 1956, when Ruth Ann gave birth to their first child, a son Fred, they opened a small musical instrument repair shop. Over the years Ruth Ann learned flute repair but found her niche was talking to people and took over the front counter.