Expanding Horizons: 3o years haven’t dimmed Horizon Records’ Gene Berger’s passion for music
Posted by The Greenville News on Friday, November 18, 2005
As corporate headquarters go, the stuffy room at the back of Horizon Records is more utilitarian than showplace.
Vertical rows of vinyl record albums line the floor and cover most of the available carpet, forcing visitors to snake through the accumulation like rats in a maze. Old concert posters, music company promotional photos, a rack of hundreds of CDs, and random bits of historic musical bric-a-brac cover the walls.
Ensconced behind a worn wooden desk in this haphazard amalgamation, sipping his umpteenth cup of coffee of the day from a white mug emblazoned with: “Keep Austin Weird,” is Gene Berger. Thirty-four years of the music business behind him, who knows how many to come… Read Full Story
Our Current Staff
GENE
“The Dubmaster”
Owner, founder, resident Mahler fanatic since 1975. Loves jazz, bluegrass, worldbeat, and old geezer blues rock like Canned Heat or Johnny Winter. Obsessed with 60s and 70s era John Lee Hooker and cheap pre-owned classical CDS. Yes he’s still crazy after all these years so don’t ask him about the Eagles.
MARTIN
Clint Eastwood aficionado. Owner of largest jazz CD collection in Southeast. Keeps the system consistent four days a week and has been doing so here since 1994. Martin is known to some as Coach K. Walks to work from North Main Street neighborhood.
SYDNEY
“Syd The Kid”
Sydney (a.k.a: Lil Cratez) began her journey with Horizon at the tender age of 14, and a near decade later, SHE’S BACK WITH A VENGEANCE. Primarily a 45 collector, her knowledge is as vast as it is dangerous. A multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter and key team member/leader within the Horizon fam – we are SO happy she is back! “I live my life by the three S’s, Shoegaze – Soul – and Scott Walker.” – The Notorious S.Y.D
DREW
The second Drew M to join the Horizon Crew, he’s a graphic designer by day, rocker by night. Heavy into 90s Britpop, shoegaze, and pop punk, he’s always rockin’ a band tee and some killer kicks! Catch him live around town with indie/power pop project KICK.SNARE.CRASH!
AIDEN
He may be the youngest Horizon staffer, but he knows his stuff! From MF DOOM to Yes to Anime soundtracks, he likes a little bit of everything. Studying civil engineering in high school and rockin’ the register on weekends, he’s a jack of all trades!
ETHAN
Bio Coming Soon!
WILL
“Da Closer”
Signed on as Horizon Records next chapter team member in 2019. Super positive, obsessive record collector, beat maker, musician and father of three. A recording/live sound engineer, passionate about helping people find the next record that will change their lives forever! From bluegrass to boom bap, Will loves it all!!!
CHUCK
Record Store veteran, musician, vinyl enthusiast! Bringing 10 years of prior record store experience and knowledge. Interested in all things from Jazz to Reggae to Power Pop with a dash of Mod/Pysch to Post Punk!
JB
“The Indicator”
He’s our main buyer and self-proclaimed bush league graphic designer. You will find him in the back room of Horizon most mornings listening to Gene’s endless supply of piano music and staring at spreadsheets. He’s also drummer in the rock band formally known as Excons.
PAT
Part of our “vault team” Pat works with Chuck processing the mountains of recent acquisitions and getting the good stuff out to the racks. He’s got deep knowledge (and passion!) for rare jazz & punk.
MARLON
Bio Coming Soon!
BRITT
Bio Coming Soon!
Emeritus Staff
SHELLEY
We are stoked to have Shelley back… She likes music & people! Besides bringing a great vibe to the shop, she’s got a passion for 90s hip-hop, the Waylon Jennings catalog, and keeping our t-shirts, hats and tote bags all restocked.
ANGIE
Angie’s been around the store since late 70s/early 80s. Got lost along the way for about 15 years in Los Angeles in the smog — we will refer to that era as “THE MISSING YEARS”. Currently here very rarely, mostly in-stores, special events or to bring Gene M&Ms. Fanatical about anything to do with The Church and/or Steve Kilbey and most things 80’s. Notably, made Gene talk in unknown tongue once when she played an Elton John CD in-store.
RUSS
Worked at Horizon back in the day (whenever that was) left our store to pursue the magic of working in wood, carving, turning, building furniture and eventually resorted to luthier activities. Global renowned Ukulele craftsman is born! In last few years has been our esteemed and beloved retail carpenter deluxe on covert missions to make us the awesome-est fixtured indie store in the land. Says, “A ukulele can sound giddy, saucy and melancholic. They are easy to play. They are not toys.” Sadly to us here and so many followers in Greenville and beyond we lost our beloved Russ September 2015 after a near 2 year cancer experience.
Visit Friends Of Russ
DREW
Rockin’ guitar player who loves ringing tunes at Horizon, this animal lover, history buff and 90’s alt aficionado always plays Built To Spill, Low, Murder By Death + all incarnations of Mac McCaughan. He’s cool, calm and steady as she goes…
AARON
Previously often seen inhaling black coffee and dreaming of the next song while gazing at dusty album jackets and forgotten gems. Our rambling songsmith is now embedded in Nashville the land of Grimey’s pursuing music things and the elusive cultural epiphany of a large Southern music town. Aaron continues to release original songs and written content as Aaron Berg and hip-hop as mountainwalker. Now working outta East Nashville as a bass player for hire.
KATIE
Worships at the Allman Bros. altar and believes that Duane Allman is up above controlling the weather for outdoor gigs. If you ask her nicely, she’ll put in a word if it looks like rain at your show. Will passionately advocate Ryan Adams & The Cardinals & U2. A voracious music lover who will ask you what you’re listening to. Has been to more concerts than you.
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