The sign says "lessons, sales, repairs and rentals."
But the Woodbury Music Shop, at 714 Main Street South, is so much more.
Dave Zemper took over the Woodbury Music Shop, located on the second floor in the Main Street building, about three years ago. He and his staff of six teachers offer instruction on guitar, bass, drums, sax, violin, ukele, trumpet, voice and banjo, plus school band instrument rentals and repairs.. He's had a steady stream of students and says he is always willing to add more instruction as the need arises. He sells everything from picks, to strings to drum sticks and instruments and everything for the needs of a musician-in-training or one already out in the world.
Dave, a musician himself, also realizes that a music shop in today's competitive market where so much is available on the Internet, needs some hooks for when things slow down.
And he has got some great ones.
The Woodbury Music Shop has been collecting vintage amplifiers and has them restored to original condition to be snatched up by musicians realizing the truth in the phrase "what is old is new again." Dave says the Woodbury Music Shop has restored original amplifiers from all over the country and likens it to the love and dedication of restoring an old car.
"I had a vision for it, what with Woodbury's antique connection," Dave says, adding that the man in charge of the repair, Patrick Gill, is genius at making original amps from brands like Fender and Marshall just like new. Dave and his crew also buy and restore vintage instruments as well and that part of the business, Dave says, has been going well. "I think it coincides with Woodbury's own antique flair."
The other hook was a surprise to Dave.
What started out as an "experiment" to give the students who take music lessons a chance to play in front of a live audience in a music jam or open mike night, has set the stage for something even Dave still can't believe.
Several times a month, the Woodbury Music Shop turns into a live music venue featuring top college touring bands playing original music to a packed house of 65 kids, young adults and even parents who revel in the original songs by up and coming artists.
"These kids are all tremendous musicians and play original music of their own style," Dave says. "It's original, upbeat, high energy music. And the audience loves them. They know them and their music before they get here. They have a chance to see up and coming bands before they are huge."
And all for just 10 bucks at the door.
The "experiment" last year was to rearrange the store and build a stage made of plywood, add a little PA system that was given to Dave by a customer and have students play.
And when one former student walked into the Woodbury Music Shop last year, Dave says he proclaimed the space perfect for something that he had in mind. That student just happened to have his own indie music label, Seagreen Records, and the Woodbury Music Store concerts took on a whole new life.
The original stage and system has been upgraded to a full-on sound system, colored stage lights have been added and the stage is complete with floor monitors, speakers and mixing boards.
"For each concert, we provide space, sound systems and sound engineering," Dave says, adding that some weekends see four to five bands per night. And the audience has been amazing, he adds. "I am pleasantly surprised at how respectful and great they are. It's a safe place for kids to come and enjoy music for themselves."
Since the Woodbury Music Shop began booking touring bands coming through on their way to places like Boston, Providence and New York last May, more than 70 bands have played to eager listeners packed in the small space of the store.
"It's really been a surprise," Dave says, but then again as a musician himself, it makes sense. "Music happens on the edge. You don't know what's going to happen." And Dave is happy to be able to help his students, and the touring bands. "I know exactly how these kids feel. I can see how happy they are with this venue. They are grateful to have a place to play and want to be out in front of people playing."
This summer, in addition to the concerts, Dave says he will be bringing back the open mike nights.
For information, and and to get concert notifications and updates, visit The Woodbury Music Shop Facebook page or the website at www.woodburymusicshop.com
{Photos courtesy Woodbury Music Shop - 1. Dave Zemper, owner. 2. vintage amplifiers and guitars 3. The Woodbury Music Shop Stage.}