Canadian Music Industry
Peter Janis played in school orchestra and rock bands growing up as his mother played piano in the home and encouraged him to pursue music. His first job in the industry was working at Steve's Music store in Canada and he was hooked. Peter enjoyed the people in the industry and was fascinated by...
Dave Gantz watched the Beatles on television and instantly he knew that he wanted to play bass. Dave had many interesting adventures in music throughout the 1960s, including attending Woodstock. He later found a job at Steve's Music in Canada which resulted in a fulfilling career in music retail....
Maribeth Barrons is one of the most energetic sales reps you will ever meet! With great knowledge of the Hal Leonard catalog and an honest interest in helping her customers, Maribeth has served music stores both in the United States and throughout Canada. Over the years she has established new...
Dale Kroke has been a passionate music maker since he was a kid. He studied music in college and earned a teaching degree before pursuing an advance degree in composition. His first job in the music industry was with Kaman Music in 1990, working with overseas distributors within the company's...
Dave Dunwoodie is the founder of Graph Tech Guitar Labs in Canada and has pioneered several products during his career in the music industry. With the popularity of tremolo guitars, the need for pencil lead in the nut slots was growing. Dave experimented with a variety of composite guitar nuts...
Ray Williams grew up in the Caribbean. His father, a police officer, played music during his time off of work. Ray’s brother played guitar, Ray picked up the bass, and he was always encouraged by his father to make music. At an early age, Ray focused his music making around the computer, which...
Bob Kohl was hired by Music & Arts in Maryland just before turning sixteen years old and has been in the industry ever since that time. The store was located in the local mall and he began working within the sheet music department, an area of the industry he would soon fall in love with and...
Vic Lillo Sr. and his wife Doreen started business in 1963, opening Lillo’s School Of Modern Music Ltd, a music school and retail music store in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Lillo’s Music has become an established and unique landmark known for its professional music instruction, customer service and...
Arnold Davidson was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa where he began playing in area bands. He was given the opportunity to distribute the strings he special ordered from England and found himself in the music products business. He later opened his own wholesale firm, based largely on...
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...