Dennis Hagerty, Founder and President of Southern California’s Keyboard Concepts, has announced the departure of Jeff Falgien, his longtime business partner and Keyboard Concepts Vice President.
Hagerty and Falgien opened their first store in 1983, growing Keyboard Concepts into a four outlet franchise. “We succeeded through hard work, business savvy, great products, good locations, and more than a little luck,” Hagerty said. “Together, we grew to be recognized as “The Most Recommended Piano Stores in Southern California.”
Falgien shared that family is the reason for his decision, citing the desire to be closer to his daughter who recently had a baby. “My wife Cheri and I will be heading back to our Midwest roots after all these years of watching our Keyboard Concepts family grow; now we get to watch the first of what we hope to be many more grandchildren grow,” he said.
Starting at the age of 14, Falgien demonstrated pianos and electronic organs in malls and state fairs for Hospe’s Music in Omaha, Nebraska. Over his 45-year career he has also worked for Schmitt’s Music in Minneapolis, then in California at the Organ Exchange in Sherman Oaks, and at Colton Piano in Tarzana before joining forces with Hagerty at Keyboard Concepts.
Besides his impact on the Southern California music business, Falgien has served as an Ordained Pastor for West Valley Christian Church and head football coach at El Camino Real High where he won back to back league championships and led his team to a finalist spot in the 2019 Los Angeles D1 Football Championship. Jeff also served as the Grants and Scholarships Chairperson as a member of the NAMM Board from 2009 to 2012.
“It’s with both joy and sadness to be leaving Keyboard Concepts and my best friend and business partner, Dennis,” Falgien added. “I’m grateful to have been part of an incredible industry that delivers happiness to everyday life and dramatically enhances all of our experiences.”
Echoing Falgien’s statement, Dennis Hagerty concluded “There’s never been anyone like Jeff, without him Keyboard Concepts would have never reached the very top of our industry. To say I’ll miss him might be the world’s biggest understatement.”
