Gary Weyand describes the music store he opened in 1987 as a “hole in the wall” with two small studios, located near Redmond’s lone blinking traffic signal.
Today, vintage guitars signed by Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones and other famous artists adorn the walls of Pacific Music. These hang next to dozens of electric and acoustic guitars, cellos, woodwinds and drum sets that students can rent or purchase to practice in one of the shop’s seven studios.
“It just mushroomed,” Weyand said. “It’s almost like the city grew us instead of us growing the city.”
This month, the National Association of Music Merchants awarded Pacific Music a milestone award for its quarter-century commitment to the music products industry. NAMM, the industry’s international trade organization, will honor the shop this weekend at its annual trade show in Anaheim.
Weyand decided to open the shop because he saw a need for a family-run music store in Redmond. He did so a year after Microsoft, Corp. opened its own doors and said the technology company has supplied the store with a steady customer base.
“A lot of them say it’s the best part of their week,” he said with a laugh, adding that some Microsoft employees, who took lessons at the store as children, return today with their own kids.
“Microsoft has had an impact on the store, and I like to think we’ve had a little impact on Microsoft too,” he said.
Since the shop opened, it has changed location once, it has donated a number of instruments to charity and its instructors have taught more than half a million music lessons to adults and children. All lessons are private and typically cost $27 for a half-hour. More than 300 students come on a weekly basis.
Students can learn anything from drums to the sitar, but many gravitate toward the guitar. Weyand said people used to want to learn on electrics, but he has seen a shift back to acoustics in recent years as bluegrass and folk music increase in popularity.
One customer, 16-year-old Gabe Miles, said the store offers great deals on instruments, especially if buying used. He first rented an electric guitar to learn classic rock and has since purchased the instrument. Now, his brother and a friend also take lessons at the store.
“It’s really personal – the teachers know what you want to learn,” Miles said. “They get to know your music taste and tune your lessons accordingly.”
Weyand said the instructors set the store apart from others in the area.
“We knew the importance of getting quality teachers – people that are good with people,” he said.
The store’s 10 instructors frequently play in bands themselves and travel to music festivals around the world. They even play alongside their students several times a year during student showcases, the next of which will be held at Redmond’s SoulFood Books the end of February. Pacific also hosts an Open Mike night at Redmond’s JJ Mahoney’s the third Tuesday of every month.
As for the future? The store will continue to offer lessons, sell and rent instruments and make repairs.
“Let’s just say we’re looking for another 25 years,” Weyand said.
To sign up for lessons, call (425) 885-9703. Visit the store’s website at www.pacificmusic.com for more information about its services and instructors. The store is located at 15935 Redmond Way.
