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Accordions do rock 'n' roll as well as
Lawrence Welk music
Written by Rebecca R. Turco the Staff Writer of
the Menomonee Falls News...
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Despite the long-standing
conception that accordions made music only like that heard on the Lawrence
Welk Show, the introduction of computer technology during the 1980s helped
revolutionize the accordion industry. "Accordions have always had electronics
since the 1940s, but computers allowed us to develop distinctive sounds,"
Ivo explained.
With a high-end instrument in hand, the Baldoni family only needed
a means of marketing their product. Heeding an old Italian saying, "If
you don't plant a seed today, you won't get a plant tomorrow," the Baldoni's
had begun making their presence known years before adding computer technology
to their accordions.
National trade shows helped the family business establish its name
recognition and attract dealers. Although many dealers weren't convinced
at first that the expensive accordions were worthwhile instruments to invest
in, Baldoni Music Service's repeated presence helped gain national exposure
and a handful of feature stories. "We were there with all these big brand
names, guitar and trumpet distributors," Ivo said of the trade shows. "We
always had the smallest booth, but everyone was attracted to us because
they wanted to know what an accordion maker was doing at these conventions."
With computer technology re-popularizing the accordion, Baldoni Music
Service has made accordions for major recording artists like Sheryl Crow
and Michael Ramos of the BoDeans. Keyboardist Kurt Wollock of the Seger
Band and John Magnie of the Subdudes are among Baldoni’’s most recent clients.
Although the accordion remained popular in Europe, Africa, South America
and some Middle Eastern countries, the U.S. discarded acoustic accordions
in favor of bass guitars and keyboards. Now that computer capability has
reintroduced the accordion to American society, Ivo is trying to appeal
to the younger crowd to ensure the accordion’’s longevity. "We’’re trying
to get our product into the hands of the youth," he explained. Accordions
have regained an all--around healthy image with their reappearance in classical,
popular and ethnic music.
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