Illinois

Bruce Bannister is the current president of Samuel Music in Effingham, Illinois. The store was formed in the 1940s by Lowell Samuel, the band director turned music industry pioneer. Bruce was interviewed in the store and recalled working closely with Lowell as well as Dean Samuel, Lowell’s son and the company’s CEO. Bruce began working with the store in the early 1970s at the height of the home organ boom and provided his thoughts as to the great growth of the product as well as its steep and sudden decline a decade later. Bruce attributes the success of Samuel Music to their dedi

Peter Bartkus grew up in Rockford, Illinois and was proud to establish a music shop there in the early 1950s. Tru Tone Music became a hub for musicians and was known throughout the area for Peter’s creative and precise instrument repairs. With a passion for the accordion, Peter enjoyed the innovations he witnessed over the years including the Roland accordion complete with MIDI. Peter also made his own Tru Tone brand of guitars and basses.  

Ashley Beleny is a music teacher and associate at Piano Trends Music Company in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Her love and passion for music began in her church where she was often found singing in the choir. The church was an important part of her musical upbringing, which led to participating in the Professional Children Choir, an organization that traveled around the country and even internationally to the United Kingdom. Ashley is also a multi-instrumentalist having played piano since she was five years old, adding guitar and during the pandemic she picked up the cello.

John Benedeck sat down at the keyboard during his NAMM interview to demonstrate the riffs and clever tunes he plays as an organist for the Chicago Cubs baseball team! He is proud to have the role and provided great stories about playing at Wrigley Field. John is also a music teacher at Piano Trend Music Company in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The role is very meaningful to John as he was able to learn from some wonderful teachers growing up, all of whom emphasized how important it is to enjoy music making. In 2020 he was hired to play organ for the Cubs and likes to say his role is to

Larry Biernacki opened the first of three music stores in Deerfield, Illinois. Like with all three locations, he named it after the local community to provide a neighborhood feel to each store. Along with a strong focus on customer service, the stores have become the place to be for musicians and students. Over the years Larry has taken extra care in building the company’s music lesson programs, picking qualified and dedicated teachers and making sure books and accessories are available for all levels of students. Larry shared his ideas with independent retail groups as well as NA

Jonathon Breen’s grandparents opened The Music Shoppe in 1961 in Bloomington, Illinois. Back then the name was spelled without the second P and the E, which were added later by his Uncle Randy when he expanded the business by opening other locations. Jonathon’s interesting intro into the business came when he was 15 years old and needed money to take his girlfriend to the school dance. He was given the task to wipe down the drum kits and music stands in the store. His uncle was impressed by his attention to detail and invited Jonathon to join the team.

Aldren Briones is a passionate musician and songwriter who found great satisfaction in providing music lessons at his local music store. The store, Piano Trends, was founded by Tim and Bobbi Paul and is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Aldren was hired in 2018 and in addition to his role as a music teacher, he is an associate with the store helping with inventory, answering the phones, and providing general support. During the pandemic of 2020, Tim formed a live online program each day from the store to encourage those in lockdown. The program called Lifting Spirits Though Music

Evelyn Brue-Roeder opened her music store in 1940! Her main focus in the early days was music lessons, however she soon added sheet music, accessories and musical instruments. She developed a passion for steel guitars as she witnessed their development over her career. When the pedal steel guitar was introduced she had to have one and had been playing and giving lessons on the instrument ever since. Evelyn and her husband George became active in various musical clubs including the Pedal Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.  

Tony Buffalo retired in 2023 after a distinguished career as a district manager for Guitar Center. His father was a trumpet player and leader of a swing band called Vito Buffalo & His Orchestra, and as you can imagine, he grew up in a very musical home. Following in his father's footsteps, Tony honed his skills as a guitarist, leading his own band, Night Watch, to local fame in Central Illinois's vibrant music scene. With a passion for music and a knack for sales, Tony joined Guitar Center in 1986, quickly excelling as a top salesperson and rising to the role of store manager

Don Canedy was a beloved band director and professor at Southern Illinois University before being hired by the Roger’s Drum Company in 1961. Don played drums beginning at the age of 10 and was a perfect fit for the company’s Educational Director. Just prior to his job at Roger’s, which at the time was owned by CBS Musical, Don played a vital role in establishing the Percussive Arts Society. Encouraged by Remo Belli, Don organized the first mailing list, poster for PAS and became the organization’s first president.  His passion was always music and music education and he provided a

Joy Collins had a very successful career selling pianos and organs! In fact she may very well be the person who sold the most Allen Organs ever. Joy was hired by Glenn Davis, who owned a piano and organ store in Chicago, originally as a secretary but soon discovered selling was in her blood. She would take home her tasks as a secretary, such as letters and reports, and completed them over the weekend so she had time to sell instruments during the week days. She soon became a top salesperson for Mr. Davis. The company changed its name to The Beautiful Sound in 1978 when Mr. Davis p

Rich Covas owned Modern Music store's three locations for thirteen years beginning in 1966. The locations covered band and orchestra instruments as well as guitar, keyboards, and drums. The company also offered music lessons and repair. In fact, providing lessons is how Rich first began working in the music industry. After another thirteen years as an independent rep, Rich retired from the industry but continues to teach music, giving 30 lessons each week. 

Gil Ellman grew up in the big band era, loving the sounds of large orchestras. He was motivated to create as many opportunities for students to make music as possible. He studied band instrument repair before opening Ellman’s Music Center in 1958. Soon after the store opened Gil began creating his own brand of instruments including bongos. In 1963 the store moved to Naperville, Illinois, where space was created for lesson programs. Gil and his wife Joan, who provided music lessons at the store for many years, were both present at the NAMM Show in 2008 when they were awarded the Mi

Joan Ellman and her husband, Gil, established Ellman’s Music Center in 1958. Five years later the store moved to Naperville, Illinois, where it is located today. Joan kept the books and inventory as well as managing the store when Gil would call on schools and travel for industry meetings. She has always been proud of the fact that her sons decided to work in the business and began running the business when Joan and Gil retired. Both Joan and Gil were present at the NAMM Show in 2008 when they were awarded the Milestone plaque for 50 years in business. 

Jesse Flores was the founder of Flores Music stores located in Peoria and Pekin, Illinois. He had the idea of surrounding himself with music when he was a young boy and when the chance came to open a store, he took it. The year was 1957. Jesse saw the rise of the electric guitar and the home organ and along the way he also saw countless people who became music makers thanks to his passion for his work. Jesse stood proudly next to his son Victor when NAMM presented a 50th anniversary milestone award at the winter show in Anaheim.  

Gary Gand grew up playing music and developed a passion for musical instruments. In 1971, he parlayed this passion into a successful career in music retail. Gand Music and Sound, located in Northfield, Illinois, was among the first stores in the country to carry pro audio and lighting equipment. Since then, the company, which is co-owned by his wife Joan, is an umbrella for Gand Concert Sound, GSI: Gand Studio Installation, and Gand Backline Services, and has been on the pioneering side of product introductions and marketing campaigns.

Bob Gand opened a music shop in Deerfield, IL in the early 1960s, which was an influence not only to the community but to his son Gary.  Gary went on to open his own successful retail business.  Bob fell in love with folk music in the 1960s and formed the Gand Family Singers, which included his children Gary and (celebrity chef) Gale. Bob opened his store, which always focused on teaching, as well as support for the local schools and community music events.  Bob was a classic example of a passionate and driven music retailer who put his customers first!

Joan Gand followed her drummer brother to a gig while still in high school.  There, he introduced her to a guitarist from another school who eventually became her future husband, Gary Gand.  Together they formed a very successful music store in Highland Park, Illinois, that focused on the innovative electric instruments introduced during the time, including Moog and ARP products. Being a fan of the Hammond B-3, Joan fell in love with the Ventilator, a rotary cabinet simulator pedal, which gives her electric keyboards that special Leslie Speaker sound. She liked the product so much

Mary Garbrecht is in the envious position to experience the moment when a child makes their first sound on an instrument! As the educational road rep for Quinlan & Fabish, a music store chain in the greater Chicago area, she calls on many of the local stores representing her branch store in Arlington Heights. She grew up in a family that participated in music making, in fact, her parents and siblings formed a brass band that played at local events and weddings. When George Quinlan offered her the job in 2006 she jumped at the chance to work with band directors, as she had expe

Mark Gardner, currently a co-owner of Naperville Music near Chicago, was a working musician who needed a day job, so he joined the company in 1985. Learning from a NAMM seminar in the early 1980s, Mark emphasized the importance of customer satisfaction to grow the store’s business. Starting with guitars, drums and lessons, Naperville Music expanded into band instruments and acoustic pianos. They purchased a strip mall and constructed a 9,000-square-foot space, allowing them to serve multiple markets and adapt to fluctuations. Maintaining strong relationships with suppliers like Gi

Scott Gauthier is the Repair Shop Manager for the Arlington Heights location of Quinlan & Fabish, a chain of music stores in the greater Chicago area. Scott was encouraged by his mother to play a musical instrument and while still in grade school, Scott gravitated toward the saxophone. He played throughout high school and college at which point he sought to learn more about his instrument and how to repair it. Scott attended the Band Instrument Repair School in Red Wing, Minnesota in 2003.

Sandy Goff, co-owner of Paige's Music, has had many first-hand experiences witnessing the importance of music education in the lives of young students as well as the passion for music so common with those who work in the music products industry. As the First Lady of NAMM, when her husband, Mark, served as the Chairman of the Board, Sandy traveled around the world and discovered everywhere they went she met people in the music industry doing what they do with the same passion and dedication that she saw in her husband and her staff.

Mark Goff was ready to work for a musical instrument manufacturer after college when he was told that he needed retail experience. Impressed with the idea and eager to learn all he could he applied to work at Paige’s Music in Indiana. Mark enjoyed working with the owner, past NAMM Chairman Warner Paige, and the vibe of the music store. Mark later followed in Mr. Paige’s footsteps serving on the NAMM Board and EXCOM. He also served as president of NASMD

Bill Gray was a music major in college and played drums professionally before joining the industry. Bill worked in music retail and as a manufacturer’s rep, which provided valuable experiences for him before he joined the Slingerland Drum Company in 1977. Bill combined his backgrounds to open a music company finance business he named BGE, providing services for school music dealers and their customers. 

Gloria Guido studied classical music and opera before meeting her husband, jazz man Joe Guido. Together the couple opened Guido’s Music in Chicago, Illinois, in 1958, the same year they were married. When Joe would go on the road to perform, Gloria operated the store and eventually grew the lesson programs offered at the store. Joe passed away in early 2008 before their 50th wedding anniversary.  

Dan Hagedorn grew up watching his father run the family’s music retail business and always knew he would work in the music industry. His father, known as Crazy Al, began his business in the basement of the family home and Dan can recall vividly the Vox Amplifier boom of the 1960s and the impact it had on the industry, let alone his father's small business. In those early days Dan would work for his father after school and then go out and gig with him at night. In 1974 they moved the business out of the basement and into a real brick-and-mortar store they named DJ’s Rock N’ Roll.

Katie Helgeson remembers the day in the fourth grade when a local music store brought instruments to her school to try out. She asked the instructor which was the hardest to learn and so started her journey in music with the French Horn. After college, she gravitated to the same music store she hung out at as a kid and began cleaning instruments and helping out whenever she could. Today she is the Operations Manager for the Music Shoppe in Normal, Illinois. Katie participated in the Women of NAMM (WoN) leadership summit in October 2022.

Ed Hendricks always enjoyed selling. After serving heroically in World War II, he worked in several Chicago-area department stores before being hired by Don Broman to work for Lyon & Healy’s retail store. In the early 1970s he decided to open his own piano store, which is located in Downers Grove, IL. Over the years, Ed was active in sales promotions of nearly every type and become an active member in his community, lending time and money to local music programs and schools. Ed was a great example of the members of our industry who are passionate about music making and encoura

Peter Hix loves the ukulele.  Well, he loves every instrument but does have an extra fondness and appreciation for the ukulele.  He was exposed to music from the very beginning, growing up in the music studio his parents established in 1946, right on Benton Street in Aurora, IL.  By the age of nine, Peter was already working in the store, along with his two brothers.  He soon discovered an equal joy to playing a musical instrument was teaching one.  When his parents, John and Eileen, retired in 1996, Peter and his two brothers bought the store and have been running it ever since. 

David Horine opened a small piano store in Bloomington, Illinois in the 1980s.  David became a piano technician and gathered a nice reputation for tuning and repairs before he decided to open his own retail store.  He found in short order that his customers were eager to try new models of the Steinway pianos he had to offer, and a long and successful career in music retail followed.   David is very proud of the fact that his son has joined the team as both a salesman and piano technician.

Beth Houlihan often reflects on the important role her mother played in establishing the family owned music store along with her father in 1974. Beth took note of the way her mother kept the books and worked with customers and suppliers, which has served her as President of Kidder Music. She has also gleaned the importance of being involved with the community and the industry from her parents’ example of paying it forward. Over the years Beth has been active in music education programs as well as organizations that help develop the music products industry such as the NAMM Board an

Ede Kidder was teaching full time when her husband came home from his job at a music store with the idea of owning their own store.  Luckily for Jim, Ede jumped in with her many skills to make the store a success.  She took over as the book keeper and played a vital role in the growth and development of the staff over the years.  Jim and Ede also are long time NASMD members and have been supporters of music advocacy and educational programs since the early days of their business.