Bill Phipps- Small Cog in a Big Motor

family posing in front of christmas tree

 My music journey started when I was five.  That’s when I started taking drum lessons with June Levis.  I remember that Christmas very well. It was one of the many great moments in my life.  I played drums on and off for most of my childhood until I reached middle school.

I attended Turkey Foot Middle School and then Dixie High School.  That is when I fell in love with marching band.  I was a snare drummer the year that Dixie won the state championship.  That year I played snare for the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corp which was an amazing experience.

With Glassmen I toured the US and Canada for a summer.  I entered in DCM and DCI solo contests for snare.  I did well and was named the number one high school snare drummer in the US.  Glassmen was a learning experience that has helped shaped the person I am today. With Glassmen I toured the US and Canada for a summer.

Bill Bee Keepng
Bill with his wife and another couple at wedding

After graduating from Simon Kenton High School I attended Morehead State to pursue a major in music education.  Due to my father developing medical problems, I moved back home to get a job to help out my family.  Not to mention some of the interesting people I have met.

This is when I started my career working for Willis Music in 1994. It has been one heck of a ride and a daily joy to be around music. Right now with Willis Music I have 5 departments that report to me on a daily basis; Accessory Buying, Web, Marketing, Print Buying, IT. The music industry is one of the fastest moving and most challenging businesses to be part of.

As a family man, if I am not working around the farm I am kayaking or camping. I love trying new challenges and tinkering with things, whether it is running sound, photography, or beating on metal in my blacksmith shop. To relax I love reading comic books. My favorite comic is “I Hate Fairyland”.

Bill and Eddie Van Halen
Bill and Jennifer Kayaking
Bill on back hoe
Paul Bill Kevin smiling in front of the Boundary Waters
group of men standing in front of water