Local Music Teacher Opens His Own Business in Channahon

If there is any doubt that Steev Custer is a musician at heart, it is in the names of he and his children that all doubt should be dismissed. He has two children, a daughter whose first name is Lennon and a son whose middle name is Gibson. Even his own name is different because of music. He began misspelling his first name on purpose so that he would become memorable.

"People would say, oh, you're the guy who misspells his first name," he said.

He has been playing for 25 years. Eventually, he began repairing instruments as well.

"I started because I was a player and I can't leave anything alone," he said.

He eventually attended the Chicago School of Guitar Making in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, but he said the field is incredible competative. In 2009, Custer began Gearhead, a guitar repair business.

"I quickly got into lessons," he said.

But that love of music was still only a part-time gig. Custer worked in the printing business for 20 years. In 2010, though, he lost his job. It was around that time that he considered making his hobby into a full-time job.

"I've always repaired and I've always taught a little but on the side," Custer said.

So he began instructing through local park districts. Then, in February, he took the plunge, jumping into a brick and mortar store, located at 25311 W. Eames St.

"I decided to open the school here because there is nothing down here," he said of the town of Channahon. "This location was perfect."

Custer is not one to do anything a traditional way and that includes the way he plays and the way he teaches.

"I'm a very unusual player," he said. "If I can watch someone play (guitar), I can play it right back."

And when he teaches, he has an unusal approach as well. He wants the kids to learn, but also to feel a sense of accomplishment right away. He said a lot of parents think their kids will not go home playing a song after the first lesson. "(Parents come in and say," 'I told him he won't come home playing a song,' and I say, 'yes he will.'"

Custer said he has seen some things change in his business since he began playing while some things have stayed the same.

"The girls want to learn Taylor Swift; the boys want to learn ACDC," he said.

His new shop, Fine Tunes School of Music, is a gathering place for a number of music teachers. Currently, lessons are available in flute, violin, viola, voice, guitar, bass guitar, drums and piano. For more information, call 815-341-2439. You can visit them on the Web by clicking here.