SHIVELBINE'S MUSIC STORE MARKS 50 YEARS

School band directors from Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois and Kentucky came to pay tribute to the Shivelbine's Music Store for 50 years of service Saturday.

"They're just plain nice people and they've got a real understanding of the business," said Mike Hanes, band director at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. "You can tell they love the business and they're not just in it for the business."

Hanes is one of 125 band directors with whom the store does business. The band directors attended a series of music seminars and a special dinner and dance as part of Shivelbine's golden anniversary celebration.

Hanes said his continued relationship with the store was because of the store's good and reliable service.

"We're talking more than business," he said. "We're talking trust."

The name Shivelbine is nearly synonymous with music for many in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

William Shivelbine had a long music career that included many years at the old Broadway Theater and as director of the Municipal Band.

In 1948, William A. Shivelbine and R.F. "Peg" Meyer purchased a branch store of the St. Louis Band Instrument Co. that was being shut down.

The two operated the store until January 1949, when Shivelbine and his son, L.J., bought Meyer's interest. The father and son opened Shivelbine's Music Store July 1, 1949.

A year later, William L. Shivelbine, L.J.'s brother, joined the business following his father's death. The two brothers incorporated the business in 1964. Twenty-five years later, the corporation was divided into Shivelbine's Music Store, which is now run by L.J. Shivelbine's three sons Mike, Greg and Scott, and Shivelbine's Music and Sound, which is run by William Shivelbine's son, Bill.

"It's a family affair," L.J. Shivelbine said. "It has grown considerably. We're kind of unique."

L.J. Shivelbine said he thought a band directors appreciation day was a fitting way to celebrate the store's longevity.

"We make calls to the schools to take care of any problems they might have," he said. "We just wanted to show some appreciation for the present and past band directors who have been very supportive to our store over the years."

L.J. Shivelbine said many school districts rely on the store to sell and service musical instruments for band students of all ages and skill levels.

Butch Owens, New Madrid Middle School band director, remembers the store from his days as a high school band member.

That name recognition, along with the store's unique family ties, is what brings band directors and students back year after year, he said.

"It's simply because of the attitudes of these guys towards us," Owens said. "They work together and I feel very comfortable coming up here."