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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted April 26, 2004 Text © 2004 Mark Pavolich for Keweenaw Now. Photos © 2004 and courtesy Susie Landers. Reprinted with permission.

Good Times Music store supports local musicians

By Mark Pavolich

HOUGHTON -- If you're wondering where you can find CDs by local musicians, a new guitar, stringed  instrument repair or even instruction in string and wind instruments, try the new Good Times Music store at 506 Shelden Avenue in Houghton. Good Times rolled onto the local music scene early this month with a festive grand opening that featured a live performance of bluegrass favorites from The Mountain Echo Band, including young Kelly Suvanto on fiddle.

Kelly Suvanto, fiddler, second from right, joined The Mountain Echo Band in celebrating the grand opening of Good Times Music on April 3, 2004. Band members pictured, from left, include  Don Arnson on dobro, Audrey Viola on guitar, Josh Penny on bass and Gary Aho, foreground, on mandolin. The Mountain Echo Band is known for their bluegrass country repertoire.

Good Times Music proprietor, Susie (Katalin) Landers, decided to strike out on her own after a change of ownership at Houghton's Superior Music store, where she was formerly the manager. She said family, friends and local artists encouraged her to open Good Times.

"I feel it is important to keep in touch with the local musicians and support their efforts. In this way, I can," Landers explained. "In fact, the name Good Times Music is dedicated to my father's band, the Good Times Band."

She added the late Steve Stemberger, a member of her father's band, actually named the Good Times Band. Stemberger passed away last year.

Her father, John Katalin, of Painesdale, was on hand to play his accordion for the grand opening. Landers noted her Dad's band "played music for the good times, same as the feeling I want to present here."

Susie Landers' father, John Katalin, right, plays some accordion favorites, with musician Kenny O'Connor, second from left, and Bob Hiltunen, background, joining in on guitars. At left is Jim Christner.

Commenting on the assortment of locally recorded music and manufactured instruments for sale, Landers added, "I have a section of the store dedicated to local artists, and the customers are always looking for them. The Breakers Blues (a local band) sold out in two days!"

The local music collection includes CDs from such local talent as Brian Joens, Tom Katalin, Erik Koskinen, Bruce Rundman, Dick Storm and others. Bernie Larsen, owner of the Exurban in Houghton, has also delivered to the store selections from artists recorded on his spinout records label.*

Bob Hiltunen of the Breakers Blues Band, a local group, belts out a song during the grand opening of the new Good Times Music Store in Houghton.

Good Times also sells locally made instruments, such as the beautifully crafted Birds' Eye maple six-string and bass guitars from O.C. Guitarworks in Houghton.

Grand door prize winner Mark Bobulo of Ontonagon was glad he stopped in at the store on his trip to town. He took home a brand new Johnson acoustic guitar.

"We loved the good family friendliness," Bobulo said. "We will be back."

Other patrons were winners of guitar paint jobs, recorders and string lessons.

Susie Landers, Good Times Music proprietor, pauses during grand opening festivities for a photo with friend Raka Bandyo of Houghton.

In addition to the instruments and music for sale, Good Times Music offers a wide range of services to its customers, including professional stringed instrument sales and repair by local musician and songwriter Erik Koskinen. During his time away from the road, Koskinen adds his talents to the store's friendly sales and service.

During the grand opening of Good Times Music, Erik Koskinen, right, picks out some tunes with Bernie Larsen. In the background on percussion is Mike LeBeau.

"If we don't have what they want, we can get it for them," Koskinen said.

Instruction in string or wind instruments is also available through Good Times by way of instructors Paul Smith and Nicholas Enz.

"I like to keep small business the way it used to be -- friendly and helpful," Landers noted.

Contact Good Times Music by calling (906) 482-0245 or by emailing susie@susiesgoodtimes.com.

*Visit Bernie Larsen's spinout records Web site to learn about local musicians and recording artists.

Note: Keweenaw Now writer Mark Pavolich is a graduate of Finlandia University and a Keweenaw County resident.

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