Wilsonville Advantage Magazine January 2023

FENDER COMES TO CANBY

By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer Photos by Andrew Sambuceto

Canby Music welcomes Fender! Following a 2½ year delay from the original order date, this iconic guitar brand takes up its long-awaited place at Canby Music. Fender guitars, amps, basses, and everything else comprising the full Fender line has finally arrived. Canby Music is excited to be your local Fender dealership and offer “one of the biggest names in guitars.”

With upwards of 100 guitars in the Fender line on-site, customers will have the luxury of selecting just the right instrument to fit their music style and level of expertise. Beginning with the Squier, a more affordable brand in the Fender line suitable for a beginner, moving up to the quality instruments crafted in Mexico, and ultimately the Made in the USA top-of-the-line Fender guitar. A complete inventory of amplifiers, everything from practice amps to full-stage tube amps are also available, as well as all the accessories—straps, strings, stands, and more. Don’t see something in the Fender line you’re looking for? No worries. Canby Music can order it for you!

Brian Haines, owner of Canby Music, began his business in 2008 on “kind of on a whim,” he relates. All through his 20s he had traveled on the road playing guitar in different bands. He enjoyed local success performing at fairs, rodeos, and casinos, and often performed weeklong gigs within the Western United States. On

his final road trip Brian had been gone 6 months, returning home at 29 years old. “This has all been fun and dandy,” he remembers thinking, but he also entertained the idea of settling down and having a family. Wanting to stay in music without traveling, Brian decided that “a music store would be the way to go.” He opened Canby Music in downtown Canby, and due to multiple requests he began teaching lessons as a service to the community. Along the way, band instrument rentals and repairs were also added.

After 10 years of growing business, Canby Music bought the “blue house” property in 2018 and began renovating. Completing much of the work himself, Brian opened the new location in September 2020, which includes: 4 lessons rooms staffed by instructors who teach multiple instruments, an instrument repair shop, band rentals, a high-end retail shop, and climate control throughout. In addition to more space, Brian expresses, “It’s nice and new, everything works.”

Canby Music hand-picks their staff of highly-qualified individuals. Nathan Doty, Repair Technician, started with Canby Music at the downtown location. Nathan is the school liaison, in charge of instrument repairs for all the local schools.

Christian Engerman, Studio Manager, teaches lessons and is responsible for lesson scheduling and billing. Lana Szenasi was “perfect” with her background in band and was assigned to school band rentals.

Lana also teaches lessons and repairs instruments in the rental fleet. Ryleigh Mulhern, a school senior, came in with family and thought it would be “neat” to work in a music store. She sat and played their piano, the staff was impressed, and thought she’d be a good fit for the store.

She teaches lessons and is their graphic designer. Cody McEldowney heads up Drums and School Percussion. He’s also in charge of the retail business, receiving and displaying products, and ringing up sales.

Brian continues teaching 20 or so individuals who’ve “been coming for years,” he says, “but mostly steers the ship

these days.” Living in Canby with his wife and 2 school-age children, both in Canby School District, Brian Haines knows what it means to be a local independent business owner and active community member. Brian, who’s originally from Canby, came up with the concept of Canby Music, and he states candidly, “This is as Canby as it gets.” He donates instruments and lessons to school auctions and equestrian events (showing support for his daughter who rides). He shops generously at the fireworks booth at Canby Music Boosters Club,

which raises money for high school and middle school bands. He is also a member of Canby Chamber of Commerce.

Stop by Canby Music today and check out their impressive inventory of Fender guitars as well as their other local brands such as Breedlove from Bend, OR. Don’t forget to ask about Free Financing!

Canby Music is located at 590 NW 1st Ave. in Canby. Call them at (503)263-2263 or email brian@canbymusic.com. For additional information visit their website at canbymusic.com.