Music Retail

Lars Wern is the Vice President of Em Nordic AB in Stockholm, Sweden, working alongside the company’s founder, Benny Englund.  In fact, during the 2013 NAMM Show in Anaheim, Lars and Benny were interviewed together and shared their love for the industry and spoke about some of the changes they...
Cassie Brueckner is the president of Pete’s Music store and the daughter of the founder.  She grew up in the Anaheim, California store, where she learned to repair musical instruments and developed her skills as the store manager to take charge when Pete had a professional gig.  As a brass player,...
Ben Ash began working for his family’s store before he can remember.  He is the fourth generation of Ash family members to work in the company that was formed by his great-grandfather, Sam Ash.  In addition, Ben is the third generation Ash to be interviewed for the NAMM Oral History program, a...
Les Lillo grew up in the music industry; his parents founded Lillo's Music in 1963.  Les recalls growing up and working in the family business, playing drums in the family band and performing in and around his hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  He recollects aspects of the music industry in...
Victor Lillo Jr. grew up in the music industry attending his first NAMM when he was 12 years old at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA. Vic reflects on his exposure to music and how a good attitude is a key to success.  He founded the Johnny Guitar Corporation in Hollywood, CA. (est. 1988) and...
Chuck Surack is the founder and president of Sweetwater Sound, one of the landmark companies within the music products industry.  He formed the company in 1979 and worked hard to gather the brands his customers wanted and to provide the care and service he himself would want.  Chuck has supported...
Thomas Weilbier is the President of No. 1 Guitar Center GmbH, which is located in the musical hub of Hamburg, Germany.  Thomas related some of the strong rock and roll history of the city and how his guitar shop was placed at the perfect location to grow over the decades as vintage instruments grew...
Robin Walenta attended the University of Northern Iowa and Middle Tennessee State University before joining West Music in 1982. She was named president/CEO of the company in 2007. She was appointed to the NAMM ExCom and has also served as a board member for the National Association of School Music...
Tom Schmitt is the CEO and Chairman of Schmitt Music Company, which was founded by his great-grandfather in 1896.  The company, which now has several locations throughout the Midwest, has been an innovative retailer within the music products industry.  Tom spoke of his family roots and how the...
John DeChristopher was playing in a band when he would visit the EU Wurlitzer Music Store in Boston.  Those early store visits for gear led to a job and John’s introduction to the music products industry.  John joined the Zildjian Company in 1989 and created a wonderful reputation as the VP of...

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