Our People are the most important assets the store has. They are what makes American Band Instrument Service valuable to you our customers and friends.
Owner: Mac K. Miller, III
I started in band in the sixth grade as a trumpet student and played all the way through high school and college. I joined the Air Force and played in one of their bands for 4 years. Currently I play drums as a member of the East Texas Jazz Orchestra.
I began working as an apprentice band instrument repairman in 1955, so I was a band instrument repairman all the time I was doing these performance things. All my life I have been involved in music, and I love it even more today than I did back when I started. I believe music (especially school music) to be more important to our children’s' lives than ever before.
Store Manager: Cheryl Hale
I’m Cheryl Hale and have been with American Band Instrument Service since August of 1993. Before starting here, I was a band director at Mineola I. S. D. and before that at Frankston I. S. D. I am a Tyler native having graduated from Robert E. Lee High School. I have my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. I received my Master of Arts from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1997. My emphasis was in Woodwind Pedagogy.
In addition to my duties here at the store, I teach private lessons. In my spare time I am President and principal flutist with the Tyler Community Band. I also play flute and piccolo with the Lake Country Symphonic Band. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, my favorite activity is to play in pit orchestras of musicals. In that realm, my claim to fame is playing 6 different instruments (piccolo, flute, alto flute, clarinet, alto sax, and baritone sax) in one musical!
In the last few years I have added calling on schools to my duties. I enjoy going into band halls and interacting with my former colleagues.
As store manager it is my privilege to work with a great group of people in trying to provide a musical experience for the fellow musicians of East Texas. I try to provide a comfortable working atmosphere and make the store friendly to our customers in appearance and in attitude. As a musician and educator, I want to share my love of music and the benefits it provides to all our customers.
When you're in Tyler, Texas come by and see us!
Mindy Howell: Accounts Manager & Sales Specialist
Mindy started working for American Band on June 3, 1996. She was attending Robert E. Lee High School at the time and we hired her as an "overall helper person". She has gone on to attend Tyler Jr. College and now has a degree in music as a flute major from the University of Texas at Tyler. Mindy takes care of the accounts on all the instruments we sell to beginning band students.
Ken "Nardo" Murray: Drum Shop Manager and Road Sales
Nardo calls on 30 or so schools a week for American Band Instrument Service, providing service and experience to music educators in East Texas.
Ken "Nardo" Murray, Manager of our American Drum Shop, has built an amazing career as a professional drummer and a highly respected musician. Born in Tyler, Texas October 6, 1950, Nardo started playing drums at the age of 11.
At the age of 14, he was the original drummer for the legendary "Mouse & the Traps." Nardo played on all 15 singles and two albums, "Rio Grande", on RCA, and "A Public Execution", on Eva Records. Three of the singles were released on Rhino Records in the 80's, and a new album on ACE Records, with several unreleased cuts, was released in the late 90's.
From 1970 to 1978 he was on tour with acts like: Salt & Pepper, The Drifters, Coasters, and Chuck Berry, and recorded commercials for Dairy Queen, Phillips 66, Zebco, Haggar, Churches, and Lone Star Beer. His busy schedule also included performing on records by Ike & Tina Turner, Joe Stampley, Lonnie Mack, Bruce Channel, Leon Rausch, Johnny Paycheck, and many others.
Mike Branin: Repair & Service Specialist
Mike is a professional band instrument repairman with more than twenty years experience. He provides real service to thousands of musicians a year. Michael attended Grand Saline High school and graduated from John Tyler High School. He attended Tyler Jr. College, where he played French horn in the Apache Band and majored in computer science.
Jeff Goodman: Repair Manager & Service Specialist
Jeff is one of the most talented professional repairmen I have ever known. His attention to detail and attitude of “it will be right every time” is a blessing both to those of us who work in the store, and the thousands of musicians he helps every year. A talented musician in his own right, he understands the needs of the professional player. Jeff grew up in Dallas and got his Bachelor’s from Le Tourneau.