About Keyboard Exchange International

Jim Huss has always had a passion for playing the Hammond B3 organ. Out of the love for playing music came Keyboard Exchange International. Jim has turned his passion for music into a business that delivers organs all over the world. He turned this one man show into a family business. The family business has evolved into a corporate team of highly skilled, trained technicians and craftsmen. We are proud to list the members of the KEI team! He started KEI from our home in New York some 30 years ago. It was a very humble beginning but it had a drive within itself. Jim's love for the B3 is still intense as is his music. Jim plays on a worship team at our church and has written many original songs. We have done Praise and Worship at our home and Jim has done it on the mission field in several third world countries. Jim has turned his passion for music into his own business that delivers organs all over the world. He turned this one man show into a family business. The family business has evolved into a corporate team of highly skilled, trained technicians and craftsmen. We are proud to list the members of the KEI team! At age 15 I was smitten but the sound of the Hammond organ with Leslie speaker! That was 1965, 40 plus years ago and it greatly affected my life and goals in my life. From that moment forward I sought the equipment I needed to give me that sound!. Now that I am older and better understand myself, and the Hammond / Leslie equipment, I know also I was drawn to the power and majesty the Hammond can create and the desire to control and enjoy this magical power! I was fortunate to be playing music in a working band and my money was saved for the equipment I desired. I had some help from family also to obtain my first Hammond. I moved from an M3 spinet with a pair of 147 Leslies to a full size console as soon as possible. Today I would not consider playing any spinet Hammond as it would be too frustrating, lacking the sound that I crave. Still, the M3 was a starting point that got me familiar with Hammond features. When I play with a contemporary church praise team, or a group of young musicians with cutting edge shills and talent, I get the same musical satisfaction and enthusiastic sensation that only a properly restored, properly set up B3 type organ can provide. My surprise in recent years is the response I get from younger musicians and the audiences that hear the B3/Leslie. B3's are not as common on stage as they once where so the sound tends to amaze people! Older musicians, like myself often come up to me to share stories of their youth when they played in bands that used a B3 or C3. Younger musicians who never heard a "real " B3 tend to marvel at the differences between the real thing and the "clones". Even non-musicians can't help but comment on the dramatic difference in the sound of the praise team or band that the B3 makes. A B3 with Leslie can create musical excitement like no other instrument I know. I share this information with you to encourage you to seek your dreams whatever they may be. My dream was to play a B3 with Leslie and to be able to enjoy the majestic power and sound. This can be done in your home alone or within a group setting. If you can play and B3, and have one, it is not difficult to find an existing group of musicians that will welcome you. My son, Rodney Huss, grew up surrounded by a house full and later, warehouses full of Hammond organs. He became a drummer as his first choice of musical instrument, and we have enjoyed many exciting hours of jamming together. I am still active in our business with Rodney assuming more of the day to day responsibilities. Both of us, and our staff, are available to assist you. If you also dream of playing a B3, or wish to upgrade your current equipment with properly restored equipment, Keyboard Exchange International will consider it our privilege to assist you. Rodney Huss Rodney is our youngest son and has worked full time for the business since he was 15 years old. Rodney is a master craftsman and is in charge of refinishing, transportation and shipping of the organs. Rodney has a love for music just like his Dad. He is a drummer and has been jamming with his Dad since he was a young guy. Horace Huss Horace is Jim's dad. He has worked for KEI for years. He is in charge of banking, picking up supplies, drawing blue prints for the shipments and an over-all hands on kind of person. Horaces loves to dance and do pantomime. Steve Davis Steve has worked for KEI on a part time basis for years. He heads up the accounting department. Steve loves to sing with Jim and have fishing and hunting tournaments with our whole family. Gary Eddinger Gary has been working for KEI for almost 20 years. Gary is our head technician in charge of repairing the organs. Gary has a wealth of information and 45 years experience on the subject of organ repair. He is also a retired Air Force actor, entertainer and now plays around with model airplanes as his latest hobby. Larry Vegosen Lary has worked for KEI for 11 years. He is master craftsman and is in charge of building our new B3 cases. He is also foreman of our refinishing shop and is mentoring several younger employees in the fine art of cabinet finishing. Larry is a fine classical and electric guitar player and songwriter.