Pekin's Musical History

Had Michael Isenberg not picked up a guitar in 1962, there might not be a Dragon Jam. For sure, the discussion about Pekin's musical past would be different - both because of his impactful involvement - but also because of his loving, intricately-detailed documentation of the music scene from his era, the characters who passed through it and trove of stories attached to them. He was as much a vital historian as a musical legend. Music and stories flowed through him until his final days in February 2022.

In 1973 - Isenberg's band The Jets (Isenberg, Greg Clemons, Graham Walker, Randy Kohtz and Greg Wilson) had established themselves as the most popular band in the Midwest. After some personnel changes (the departure of Clemons and Thomas Walker relieving Randy Kohtz on bass), they did something no band after them will ever be able to claim: they headlined the first ever Pekin Marigold Festival.

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What would music in the Midwest be without Jay Goldberg? Seriously - how many times was that amazing concert announced on the radio with that tag at the end, "brought to you by Jay Goldberg Events and Entertainment"...the list of events he's promoted is simply astonishing. The number of acts he helped rise to fame is too numerous to mention. He has lived a life so extraordinary - yet remains humble and rooted in the Midwest.

Jay's family moved to Pekin from Chicago to open a children's clothing store. He attended Pekin High School and, while he didn't play sports, Pekin won their last two basketball State Championships while he was enrolled. Coincidence? Maybe.

While at Pekin High, Jay took note of the rich music scene in Pekin, with no shortage of bands. Though he loved music, he never considered himself "a musician". He once told the Pekin Daily Times:
“I really couldn’t play my guitar very well,” he recalled. “However, since I had one of the best amps (a Fender Super Reverb) in town, all the players would invite me to hang out with them. They would say, ‘Jay, bring your amp!’ Of course, they implied for me to leave my guitar at home. I understood.”

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In the heart of South Pekin, IL, a small studio with a big dream became a cradle for some of the Midwest's most beloved musical talents. The Golden Voice Recording Co., founded by Mary Ann and Jerry Milam, wasn’t just a studio; it was a beacon for artists seeking a space to create, innovate, and share their music with the world. The Milams’ vision and dedication transformed their humble recording studio into a launching pad for artists whose music would resonate far beyond the borders of Illinois.

Golden Voice Recording Co. began its journey in the early 1960s, born out of Jerry Milam's deep passion for music and sound engineering. With a background in electronics and an ear for quality sound, Jerry, alongside his wife Mary Ann, set out to create a state-of-the-art recording studio in South Pekin, Illinois. Their vision was ambitious: to build a facility that could rival the best studios in the country, right in the heart of the Midwest. Starting with modest equipment and a dedication to excellence, the Milams transformed a small, unassuming space into a cutting-edge studio that attracted both local talent and artists from across the nation. Golden Voice quickly earned a reputation for its superior sound quality and the welcoming, creative atmosphere that Mary Ann and Jerry fostered, laying the foundation for its pivotal role in the music industry.

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