Wisconsin
Lynn White may downplay the role she has played within their family’s music store business, but for all those who have been to White House of Music, her spark and passion for music are very evident. Her husband’s cousin opened a small music store in Waukesha, Wisconsin back in 1955 in order to...
Michael Houser is the Chief Executive Officer for Cascio Interstate Music, which serves both as a brick and mortar store in New Berlin, Wisconsin as well as an internet store. The store was established by Frank Cascio, a professional accordion player, in 1951. Over the years the store has built an...
Connie Smith is the Vice President of Ward-Brodt Music in Madison, Wisconsin. She grew up in music and enjoyed playing music as a young girl, going on to study music in college. While in college she applied for an internship at Ward Brodt Music, where she has been ever since! She worked her way...
Jim Paulsen's father opened a small music store in Kenosha to focus on his instrument of choice, the accordion. When young Jim encouraged his father to expand into guitars, they started off slow, but soon began to grow. The Music Center today is a well-established retailer that covers the combo...
Tom Merritt is the general manager for The Music Center in Kenosha, Wisconsin and the right hand man for the company's president, Jim Paulsen. The two have worked side by side for several decades and both feel their main goals in business are to serve those who walk in the door. Customer service...
Brian Douglas enjoyed a career as a touring musician and songwriter both in rock and in house music, which gives him a unique perspective in understanding several facets of the needs of performers. As president of Cream City Music outside of Milwaukee, and an owner, he is able to provide that...
Chris White is the president of White House of Music, with multiple locations in Wisconsin. The full line store has a very strong band and orchestra element as they call on many local schools as well as provide music lessons within the store. Their combo department has been developed over the...
Ed Strege is known within the band instrument repair world as “fast Eddie” for his speed at repair and short-cut tricks he has taught members of NAPBIRT for several decades. His classes on repair started as a service within his company and served as the only training program for band instrument...
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...
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...