Evans Music

"I was informed in April 2004 that my National Guard unit, the 1st Battalion 151st Field Artillery from Montevideo, MN, would be mobilized for duty in Iraq in November 2005. There was much planning and training to conduct before my departure, but one of them was to find a guitar that could withstand the extreme temperatures of below zero for extended periods of storage and transportation from Minnesota to Iraq, and then again over the summer temperatures that exceeded 130 degrees. Gary Dupre from Evans Music in White Bear Lake introduced me to this Art and Lutherie, a Canadian built guitar that withstood the grueling trip to Iraq and back, and has since survived many campfire sing-alongs in harsh weather conditions at hunting & fishing camps.

As the charter member and unofficial director of "The Midnight Choir", and author of the "Redneck Hymnal" (now in its 4th edition), it was important that I have a guitar to lead Midnight Choir rehearsals with Soldiers in Iraq. These sessions provided an opportunity to temporarily "escape" the tiring and stressful routine of operations in Iraq. Since no alcohol was allowed, we often smoked cigars and enjoyed non-alcoholic near-beer while we sang. I was also a member of the Warrior Chapel contemporary group, so the guitar got used at least weekly in Iraq. It was even featured in a Minneapolis Star Tribune front page picture and feature story about Taji, Iraq where I was stationed.

Before leaving Iraq, we gathered the Soldiers in my Headquarters together and signed the face of the guitar. It will always be a special keepsake from a life-changing experience in my life.  Thanks Gary and Evans Music!"

Colonel Kevin Gerdes
Director of Personnel, Minnesota National Guard
Classification:  UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

That Takes the Cake!

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Mary Ann with Edible Art 

Mary Ann Hillyer, longtime guitar student of Tim Moeller's, baked this beautiful guitar-shaped cake in celebration of Evans Music's thirtieth anniversary. Mary Ann, an expert baker, graciously and regularly brings in homemade sweet treats for our cast and crew.

Thanks, Mary Ann!