Jim Hallwyler

Video

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Job Title
Owner
Company Name
J&K Keyboards

Jim Hallwyler is a music retailer in Eugene, Oregon whose introduction to the industry was thanks to his father's friend Lyle Heater. The LD Heater Company, formed by Lyle's father in 1918, became an important distributor of musical instruments and one of the first in the industry to provide "talking machines" otherwise known as record players. Jim worked for the wholesaler for a time before serving in the US Army and earning his master's in music education thanks to the GI Bill. He would work for Kimball Pianos and Lowrey Organs before opening his own retail business in 1989. Jim focuses on renting digital pianos, providing lessons and repairs. Along the way he gained the Yamaha and Roland brands and started group lessons for seniors on Casio keyboards. Connecting with his roots in education, Jim has volunteered for decades at the local high school providing musical arrangements and support to the band directors, which gives him great satisfaction.