John Peter Bonvillain

Rest in Peace, Mr. John, on the first anniversary of your passing and Forever. You were a good man and I'm sure you're in Heaven. I bought the first guitar I purchased from you; a Yamaha 12 String Acoustic.

I remember "Bonvillain's Music" store and Mr. Bonvillain. I was just a kid when I first went in, living just short walk away. I can't remember how old I was, but I bought the very first guitar I ever bought from him: a Yamaha 12 string acoustic. He trusted me at no older than early-teens to pay him $25 per some amount of time. He was always so helpful and friendly, and would always be there to do whatever he could for me. He was like a dear uncle to me, and I will never forget him. ...

I remember Mr. John's "Bonvillain's Music" store. I was just a kid when I first went in, living across the street, only a short distance away. I can't remember how old I was, but I bought the very first guitar I ever bought from him: a Yamaha 12 string acoustic. He trusted me at no older than mid-teens to pay him $25 per month (or whatever amount of time it was), and I was always on time.

He was always so helpful and friendly, and would always be there to do whatever he could for...

So sorry to hear of Monsieur Bonvillains' passing. He helped me out early on in my quest to learn the steel guitar when I was a young teenager. Back in those days there were no books, no websites, or hardly any place to get information on playing this amazing instrument. Mr Bonvillain was a veritable encyclopedia of steel guitar knowledge. God bless Sir. Rest easy and Thank You!!!

Johnny I'm so sorry to hear about your dad.
He was a great man and guitarist. I will miss talking to him, he was a unique character.

Sorry for y'all loss. Sending prayers for the family. Yvette Rotolo Eitmann

Condolences John, Do remember meeting your Dad in the music store.

Bernie Attridge.

Mr. Bonvillain was a friend and a mentor to me. He was an amazing musician, and gave me a job teaching in his music store when I was 16 years old. I also worked as a clerk there afterwards. He saw that people who walked in the store were impressed my speed and technique, so one day he came in and jokingly took me down a notch by bringing out his guitar and playing some jazz changes and asking me to solo over that. This was with no chart, and before I would have been able to read one if there...

Mr. Bonvillian started me on a 50-year love affair with the guitar. He provided a place for me to take lessons from Huey Bougeios in Gretna. Russ Russell was right next to Mr. Huey in the rehearsal rooms. Mr. Bonvillian always took time to talk to me about the music he made and encouraged me to further my studies in music. When he would play his steel guitar, I would just listen in awe. 50 years later, I own 13 guitars and have earned over $200K playing and singing in different venues...