A major West Coast music industry leader had his first jam session in La Conner.

Only it was one that gave little hint Frank Handy would later rise to a top executive position with Los Angeles-based Position Music, an independent record label and management firm that has built a multinational presence over the past two decades.

Handy’s uncle, La Conner native Neil Bretvick, now a Seattle area accountant and himself a music aficionado, tells the story best.

“He destroyed my vinyl copy of James Taylor’s “JT” album as an infant, getting berry jam all over it,” Bretvick, a 1976 La Conner High grad, smilingly recalls.

Eventually, music would become Handy’s bread and butter.

It is, after all, in his DNA. Handy’s grandfather, the ageless 92-year-young Duane “Red” Bretvick, of La Conner, has long been known for his mastery of the accordion.

“Frank loved dad’s musicianship on the accordion at an early age,” Neil Bretvick told the Weekly News. “There was always lots of good music in our household and I’m sure it rubbed off on Frank.”

Young Frank was also encouraged from the get-go by his parents, Frank and Lynn Handy, of Burlington.

“Our son started playing violin at age seven and later on learned guitar,” Lynn Handy, a La Conner High alum and adjunct clinical nursing instructor at Skagit Valley College, said. “He went on to Hollywood to attend the Musician’s Institute and went to work for music publishing companies.”

Handy, in fact, was an award-winning graduate of the elite Musician’s Institute of Technology Guitar Program, which since 1977 has offered full-time hands-on professional training for electric guitarists.

He also played guitar in bands for more than 20 years.

Prior to his arrival at Position Music, Handy was Vice President of Licensing and Copyright at SONGS Music Publishing.

He is widely recognized in the music industry for the passion and resourcefulness he brings to each assignment.

Handy joined Position Music on June 30, a move that was announced by company founder and CEO Tyler Bacon.

“I’m thrilled to have Frank join our executive team and oversee the administration department,” Bacon said. “His tremendous experience and true love of music is a perfect fit with how we are evolving as a company.”

At Position Music, Handy will pursue new revenue streams as well as administer the company’s international interests and teams engaged in copyrights, royalties, licensing and related areas.

The position will allow Handy to build systems that provide increased service to Position Music’s roster of writers and artists.

“He loves his new job,” said Lynn Handy.

His friends and relatives in the La Conner area and throughout the Skagit Valley love the fact he has that job. More than 200 people extended congratulations on social media last week.

Among them was Janna Gage of Seaport Books in La Conner.

“Everyone is proud of your success, Frank,” she posted, “especially grandpa Bretvick.”

He confirmed as much in a post of his own.

“What great news,” Duane Bretvick said. ”Proud of my grandson.”

For his part, Frank Handy is taking a family tradition to the top of the charts.

“He has always loved music,” said Lynn Handy. “We have a musical family, for sure.”