History of Waseca Music Company

Waseca Music Company was started in 1952 by Joe and Ruth Kozan. We are one of the oldest family-owned music stores in Minnesota.

There's years of history on our walls; below is a small selection...

click to enlargeJoe and Ruth Kozan as the Grand Marshals of the 2nd Waseca Classic CelebrationJoe and Ruth Kozan as the Grand Marshals of the 2nd Waseca Classic Celebration, photo by Roger Kozan
click to enlargeWaseca Music when it was a General StoreOur store when it was a General Store
click to enlargePiano sales in the early daysPiano sales in the early days
click to enlarge50's Sheet Music Magazine50's Sheet Music Magazine
click to enlargeThe Murphy BrothersThe Murphy Brothers
click to enlargeWaseca Native, Jerry BroughtenWaseca Native, Jerry Broughten
click to enlargeAn old City Mouse PosterAn old City Mouse Poster
click to enlargeJon Lucca from Waseca's original indie-rock band, The SchmoejoesJon Lucca from Waseca's original indie-rock band, The Schmoejoes

Waseca Music Company History

Waseca Music has serviced some of the very best musicians in Minnesota.

El Toros, 1964
El Toros, 1964
Group photo of the El Toros, a local Rock 'n' Roll band. Pictured left to right: John Radtke, Gary Churchill, Randy Tollefson, Tom Mullen
The Vibrations/The Triads, August 1966
The Vibrations/The Triads, 1966
Bands often shared members. Here are The Triads from August of 1966, which added Mike Fowler on guitar to the existing lineup of The Vibrations. Pictured left to right: Rob O'Grady, Keith Deike, John Kozan, Mike Fowler, Don Jewison
The Thunderbeats, 1960
The Thunderbeats, 1960
The Thunderbeats, from 1960, after a change of lineup. Pictured left to right: Doug Neste, Steve Noetzel, Bob Grobe, "Rick from Detriot", & Larry Hofmann
Cletus Hane Band in the 1970's
Cletus Hane Band in the 1970's
Named after their landlord Cletus Hoehn of Waseca, MN, Cletus Hane rocked Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. Pictured on their front porch are: Dan Westphal: Guitars and Vocals, Keith Deike: Drums and Vocals, Jerome Broughten: Bass and Vocals, Jim Kozan: Keyboards and Vocals, Steve "Teensie" McLoone: Lead Singer and Percussion
1967 Pop Concert
1967 Pop Concert
This picture says it all...an annual event at Waseca High Schools.
Selections from the 1967 Pop Concert were: Inglesina Symphonic March, Carnival Day In New Orleans, Wonderland By Night (Cornet Solo by Jim Miller), An Ellington Portrait, Themes from "Doctor Zhivago", Mancini's Concert Band Medley, Mr. Dixieland Fronts The Band, Rockin' The Blues, & A "So Long" Song
The WHS Band was directed by Herb Streitz.
Danny & The Lions
Danny & The Lions
This late 1960's photo was run in the Waseca Journal/Herald. Musicians pictured are: Steve McLoone: Lead Singer, Jim Rohde: Trumpet, Rick Kritzer: Drums, Dave Johnson: Trombone, Jim Gutfleisch: Guitar, Dan Westphal: Guitar, Tim Langrebe: Vocals, Paul Neidt: Bass
The Pumper, The Peddler, & The Politician
The Pumper, The Peddler, & The Politician
This picture was taken at the Minnesota State Fair in 2002 when Tim Penny was running for Governor of Minnesota. Musicians shown here are: Rick Kritzer: Electric Guitar and Vocals, Marty Buum: Stand Up Bass and Vocals, Tim Penny: Acoustic Guitar and Vocals This trio is still known in 2009 as 'The Pumper, The Peddler, & The Politician'
Before they were stars
Before they were Stars...
This picture was taken in the late 60's: Musicians featured are: Paul Neidt: Bass Guitar, Jim Gutfleisch: Guitar, Steve McCloone: Vocals, Rick Kritzer: Drums
Waseca Marching Jays
Waseca Marching Jays
In the early 90's the Waseca Marching Jays marched in the Fiesta Bowl Parade in Arizona under the direction of Mr Richard Dufault. The weather was awesome, and so were the Waseca Marching Jays.
Waseca Marching Jays
More Waseca Marching Jays
The Waseca Marching Jays went to Sioux Falls, S.D. in 2006 to the Festival of Bands under the direction of Mr. Deron Jimmerson. Go Jays Go!
Waseca High School Choir, 1988
Waseca High School Choir, 1988
Waseca, MN High School Choir Director Deb Wantoch-Yess and students traveled to Toronto Canada in 1988 to perform at the Maple Leaf Festival. This was a great musical group truly representing their hometown of Waseca, MN in a special musical way!!
earlier Wasecaearly Waseca
A Younger Waseca
These photos show Downtown Waseca in the 1940's era. Notice in the first picture the building on the right has a porch that has been removed in the second photo. Progress marches on.
Thanks to the Waseca Historical Society.
Chopstix Percussion
Chopstix Percussion
These Drummin' Dudes and Drummin' Dudettes entertained tens of thousands in parades in the early 1990's. They could WAIL!!!!!!! Percussionists shown are: Front Row: Brian Born, Greg Edwards, Mike Mayer, Gary Bridges, Russ Frederick, Troy Pehrson, Nick Gressen, Steve Voshell, Melanie Schwartz, Jeremy Kunkel, Andy Rypka
Back Row: Tim Bartelt, Ron Huelsnitz, Cindy Miller, Dan Coughlin, Becky Schuller, Jean Heller, Caroline McGorman, Nell Doyle, Ed Croce, Kathleen Ryan
2 Rude Band with Annie McLoone and Tom Moncrieff
2 Rude Poster"
This poster advertised 2 Rude appearing at Katie O'Leary's in the early 1990's. Annie McLoone and Tom Moncrieff brought great vocals, original compositions, Irish Humor and guitar playing to Katie's. Tom and Annie returned to Waseca with a full band in June 2007 for the Kruger Aid Fest under the name of 'The Annie McLoone Band'. Annie and Tom are always a treat!!
Randy Broughten with The Gear Daddies
Randy Broughten with the Gear Daddies
Randy Broughten, originally from Waseca, MN, is pictured with fellow members of the Gear Daddies in 1992. Since then, The Gear Daddies have been a major draw at the Minnesota State Fair and other events. Randy appeared playing guitar on the David Letterman Show on NBC Television in the early 1990's. Randy plays steel guitar and electric guitar with the Gear Daddies.