Jim Lo Duca’s father and uncle were the original Lo Duca Brothers, who formed a small music store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that opened for business on December 1, 1941. Seven days later America was attacked in Pearl Harbor and soon after that Jim’s uncle was drafted. Jim’s father, Tom, was too young to be drafted so he stayed to maintain the store. During that time he enrolled students for his accordion programs, which went on to serve over 1,000 students and employed 30 teachers. Tom designed several student-proof models, which were later distributed by Sears under the Silver Tone name. When Jim joined the company full time he oversaw the relationship with Sears, which lasted more than 30 years. Jim also expanded the company to make and distribute wines made in Italy and in fact the company continues to sell musical instruments and wines to this day.