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š„ The results are in, and Guzzardo Performance Music takes the vote for favorite music store in the 815! šø
Thank you to everyone who voted. Check out May's poll coming next week!
Be A Star! Learn To Play Professional Conga Drums with Hot Percussion Licks Music Lesson Book & Practice Video FREE AT
Good luck on the reopening!
Many Thanks to you guys for saving me last night before our gig at the BMO. Forgetting the center assembly post for my high hat stand you guys had the correct part. Out the door in less than ten minutes to make the gig on time. You guys ROCK! Thanks again.
As a proud member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's We Honor Veterans program, Northern Illinois Hospice pays tribute to our veterans year round in personalized ceremonies.
Many years ago, Northern Illinois Hospice patient Matt Spinello was drafted into the US Army and stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Upon finding out he was a professional drummer, the US Army asked him to organize a band. Matt's band would play at the officerās clubs to entertain and keep spirits high.
After his drumming career in the army, Matt continued drumming around the Rockford area. When he heard that we were having our music therapist play for his We Honor Veterans pinning ceremony, he mentioned that he wished he had a drum so he could play along with her.
Mallory, our Board Certified Music Therapist, surprised Matt with a snare drum that Guzzardo Performance Music so graciously allowed us to borrow for his ceremony. Northern Illinois Hospice staff who were present loved seeing Matt reminisce with his family about the time that he was stationed and drumming in Okinawa. Everyone especially enjoyed watching Matt pick up the sticks and play. This was the first time he has drummed in years, and he really came to life (as you can see in the video below that was taken at his ceremony). We are so happy that Matt was able to experience this moment surrounded by his loved ones.
We are deeply grateful for the sacrifices our veterans and their families made for our country. Warmest thanks to Mallory and to Guzzardo's for making this beautiful moment possible for Matt and his family during his ceremony.
Call 815-398-0500 to discuss your loved one's exact situation and discover all the ways Northern Illinois Hospice helps patients enjoy their final months with those they love.
If I took the sum of all the money I spent at Guzzardo's in the seventies, divided it by the number of years since I've been in Rockford, adjusted for inflation, depreciation, aggravation, and a standard deviation, and subtracted the current Ebay valuation of my very vintage Hammond, it would still come out to, like, a lot. With a twist of snark from banjo-boy Tom Whittle.
āIād like to see you stick around for at least a year.ā Joe Guzzardo Jr. said these words to me when he hired me 26 years ago. I was fresh out of college and was game for the job as I had a love for music, and was looking to find my own path. It turns out that being employed at Guzzardo Music was my path. In that time, which has spanned the greater portion of my life, I met and married my wife (sheāll be there to greet you tomorrow), sold countless of āfirstā instruments to people that Iāve seen grow up, have countless memories of my co-workerās pranks, and have never understood why I have to make a new pot of coffee whenever I go for a cup. Many of the people whom Iāve had the pleasure to meet over the years are still making music in the area today. For the oneās that I will have the pleasure to meet tomorrow, Iāll look forward to hearing your music in the future.
I began accordion lessons at Guzzardo School of Music in 1956 under the Mr. Volz. I progressed to wind up in the Senior Accordion Band and was the first individual to play the Bass Accordion in the band. We formed a Classical Quintet of accordionists and played in several clubs until the Musician's Union complained.
Over the years I have played for innumerable Christmas caroling parties, churches were there weren't organists, hospitals, nursing homes and hospices where I had parishioners, and one evening I even played for the Junior League's "Venetian Night" at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art with a strolling violinist. I still periodically periodically play for my own enjoyment on our deck if the weather is fine.
I can no longer play the classical music I learned while at Guzzardos from Mr. Roger Johnson. But the Big Band sounds and contemporary ballads as well as folk music still remind me of those days.
I'm delighted that Guzzardo Music is still around and providing people of all ages with quality instruments and instructions. The accordion and those relationships enriched my soul...at a time when I hardly knew the depth of the human soul! Bravo Guzzardo!!
Found this in my bass case the other day (bass and case sold to me by Mike Dahl) the world is a lot less interesting without him. He printed my name as Roberto Alexander...always the comedian...miss him...miss him...miss him...(Beatle reference). He sold me a mike and boom stand, a keyboard stand and a set of strings. And tons of other stuff over the years..
Here are all the photos we took at the Rock and Roll Institute practices and concert last week! We had such a great time getting to sit in and listen to these amazing young artist! If you know any kid-musicians, we definitely encourage you to push them to sign up next year! And if not, there are plenty of options to help financially to give a kid a chance to go! Please help support the young music/art scene!
http://rocknrollinstitute.com/
Shout out to all the amazing sponsors and supporters of this years group! Ya'll are beautiful people!
Health First Wellness Center
V***n Productions
The Olympic Tavern
Kate's Pie Shop Cafe & Records
Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center
Guzzardo Performance Music
Blackhawk Technical College
Underground Squirrel Studio
Andy Whorehall
NoiseFloor LTD.
Silky Screens Print Co.
WIFR TV
Rockford Register Star | rrstar.com
R&B Band seeking male vocalist!
Playing an instrument is a plus.
Must be willing to practice once a week.
In the Rockford, Il, stateline area.
If interested email:
[email protected]
Let's us hear you and tell us a little about yourself!
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