By Michael V. Hannigan
School is in session in Athens and the subject is rock and roll. The class is 7 Etc., the new band formed just two months ago.
“I’m not sports inclined and I’m not real artsy,” said band vocalist Faith Singleton after a recent practice. “This is the thing I can pour my heart into, really put all my effort into and actually be happy with the outcome.”
Faith is one of seven students at Guitars Etc. in Athens who joined the band through the music store. The band lineup includes:
- Ben Smiley – Guitar
- Derian Hadley – Guitar
- Faith Singleton – Vocals
- Gracie Ivie – Vocals
- Jimmie Skeeters – Guitar
- Skylar Crabtree – Vocals
- Spencer Williamson – Drums
The students are from Canton, Mabank, LaPoynor, Athens, and Gun Barrel City.
“I’ve always thought about being in a band and I never thought I would be able to be in a band and now I am and it’s a lot of fun,” said Gracie.
Fun, sure. But every school comes with tests and this is no different. Even though 7 Etc. has only been together a couple of months, the band already has a gig. They are scheduled to perform Saturday in Athens at the Old Fiddlers Reunion.
THE IDEA
Will Burgin is the owner and heart of Guitars Etc. in Athens. He is an accomplished guitarist in his own right and plays lead guitar in his church. He often says the store is as much a mission outreach as a business.
It’s about “showing these kids that hey, there’s more to life than the struggle you are momentarily looking at,” he said. “That there’s a greater God that we can serve with our voices and with what we’re doing and our joy.”
Part of the store’s evolution has been the increased emphasis on teaching, and Will has seen a jump from 20 to 30 students to around 75 now taking music lessons.
Also at the store is Brian Williamson, a longtime musician and teacher. It was Brian’s idea to put together the band — and in fact, he’s got a country band scheduled to start next month.
Why a band?
Will said, “When we opened, one of the problems I immediately saw is that there’s not enough bands in Athens. That’s kind of how this all started. I think a lot of people don’t know how to go about forming a band, so we said let’s show these kids how.”
The result?
“(The students) come to private rehearsal time so much more prepared, because they know it means something at the end of the day. There is even more intensity in their practice time,” he said.
The payoff?
Brian said, “Like I always tell people, I’m not going to be a millionaire, but my paycheck comes when you see some kid that’s never played a song before play ‘Hotel California’ for the first time, and their eyes light up like Christmas trees. There’s your payday.”
THE IMPACT
So what does it mean for the students? That can be difficult to write about because the single, most common phrase I heard from them was: “I don’t know how to explain it.”
What wasn’t difficult was to see the intensity. Whatever else it is, the band is important to these students.
“It is definitely something I’ve always wanted to do, and well now I am,” said Derian.
And like Will said, it is already starting to have an effect.
“It is a lot different being around other people,” said Faith. “I had this big fear of singing in front of people that I’m finally beginning to get over.”
For Will, that’s what Guitars Etc. is supposed to be all about.
THE STORE
Guitars Etc. is getting noticed. The store has earned Top 100 status from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) for the second time and is nominated for Dealer of the Year.
The store is also nominated for: Best Store Design, Best Marketing and Sales Promotion, Best Online Engagement, Music Makes a Difference Award, Best Emerging Dealer, Best Store Turnaround and Best Customer Service.
Pretty impressive for what in reality is a small music store in a small town — but Will has a big vision, which led to a partnership with Ventura Musical Instruments.
“I talked with Ventura guitars and said, hey I got this idea of us getting a guitar in these kids’ hands that can’t afford them,” Will explained, “and they said anyone that wants to sign up for 12 weeks, we’ll give you a cheaper invoice on them.”
That turned into a promotion where anyone who signed up for 12 weeks of lessons could get a free guitar. Will said many times parents have to choose between getting an instrument or getting lessons, but can’t afford both. The partnership with Ventura offered a different option.
“When we started doing that and Ventura jumped on board, that made a difference,” Will said, adding that if a student stays in music for three months, typically they will stay with the instrument.
And in the end that’s what’s important, because music does make a difference.
“We’ve had kids come up here before who said, ‘I came here because I was going to make a bad decision,'” said Will. “This is a safe place for these kids.”
GREAT article!!! Thanks for highlighting the wonderful things these students are doing!
Do you know about what time the kids will be performing?
Should be between 6-7 p.m.
Wonderful article! I’m so proud of these students. Proud to call Faith Singleton one of my students at LaPoynor! What time are they playing at Old Fiddlers this weekend?
Should be between 6-7 p.m.
This is a great write up on the kids, the store, the owner, manager, and that someone has a vision for these children other than putting a video game in their hands and letting them entertain themselves. The end result will be so rewarding when these children get into their 30’s and are leading P/W in their Churches or even making it big and having video’s and CD’s out. It is so inspiring for me.
This article made me smile! Thank you Jeff and Michael for the coverage! Special Thanks to Will Burgin, Brian Williamson, and the rest of the staff at Guitars Etc. for helping these young folks with their music! Extra Special Thanks to 7 Etc. for doing something good! Watching iTunes for your first release!
Rock-On!