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and took the business from zero locations to 300 for Guitar Center, then took over Music and Arts, as well. Then, I talked with the team at Muse about partnering with Jeff to reimagine the musical instrument distribution business for the 21st century. What I’ve learned through- out my career is that I like building things, from music careers and making records all the way through to building businesses. The opportunity to do that with this special group got me really excited. JEFF WADULACK: I’ll start by saying I don’t have a musical bone in my body. Fun fact though: Richie Sambora from Bon Jovi is my first cousin. But, my sales journey began when I wanted to be a professional baseball player. Those dreams ended at the University of Miami when I hurt my shoulder and couldn’t play anymore. I was working out at a gym and told the owner I needed to cancel my membership because I couldn’t afford it. He offered me a weekend job selling memberships, and I discovered I really enjoyed that competitive edge I’d been missing from sports. I spent nine years in the health club in- dustry, starting as an individual sales rep and working up to general sales manager overseeing five clubs. Eventually, I moved into healthcare, working for a company that provided education and resources for nurses and doctors caring for vulnerable patients. I did that for five years. Then, a former col- league introduced me to the COO of Muse Group, and they talked about transforming the B2B business in the music industry. I told them I didn’t know anything about music, but after researching what the company was trying to build, I was hooked. I love building things from the ground up, and this was about taking an 80-year-old legacy giant in Hal Leonard and figuring out how to find synergies with Muse, an upstart, tech-focused company.
Hal Leonard’s newest sales team members, Donny Gruendler and Jeff Wadulack, discuss their vision for transforming MI distribution through strategic aggregation. — By Katie Kailus BUILDING SUCCESS THROUGH AGGREGATION Donny Gruendler Jeff Wadulack
E arlier this year, Hal Leonard brought on two new sales leads, Donny Gruendler, head of strategic partnerships for MI, and Jeff Wadulack, head of B2B sales growth. With their help, Hal Leonard is working to integrate the 78-year-old brand’s strengths with its partner organization, Muse Group’s, digital capabili- ties. Their goal: Transform Hal Leonard from a traditional distributor into a comprehensive aggregator that bundles instruments, print ma- terials, digital content and educational tools into complete solutions for retailers and mu- sicians alike. We spoke with Gruendler and Wadulack to hear more about their plans for the future of Hal Leonard.
and what led you to Hal Leonard? DONNY GRUENDLER: My journey started as a mu- sic student in Detroit. I earned a scholarship to Berklee College of Music to study drums and percussion, completed my undergrad in music performance and a master’s degree in music. That led to a career as a touring and recording musician. Eventually, I moved into teaching at Musicians Institute, and I found myself turning down performance work because I enjoyed teaching so much. I worked my way up and by 2013–2014, I became CEO and president of MI College of Music. I thought that’s where I’d retire. Then, Guitar Center called and asked if I wanted to build the largest music lessons program on the planet. I jumped at that opportunity
MUSIC INC.: Can you share your backgrounds
MI: What instruments do you play, Donny?
12 I MUSIC INC. I DECEMBER 2025
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