There’s a whole lot of truth to the saying ‘you don’t know what you have until it’s gone’, and there are plenty of us who look fondly back on those days when a trip to Hastings was part of our regular weekly (and sometimes daily) routine. For me, I always went straight for the back wall to check out all the band shirts, trying to spot my favorite artists and checking the rows upon rows of CDs for the newest album that I absolutely couldn’t miss out on.
Once Hastings went away, not only did it take all of the movies, books, games, and novelties with it-it took all the music away too. The shirts, the CDs, the instruments-just gone. The ten years it has been gone feels more like a lifetime ago, and Pampa hasn’t seen anything like it since. While books, movies, and games can be found at other retailers, the music and all things related is a bit harder to come by without going to places like Guitar Center and Tarpley’s in Amarillo.
But a few guys with a passion for music have now provided that missing piece Pampa has felt for nearly a decade, making our little town feel whole again.
Located in the heart of downtown Pampa at 112 E. Francis is Mostly Music, locally owned and operated by Pampa radio’s very own Aaron Danner and Mason Galaviz.
“This store idea came from when I worked at Guitar Center for a few years in Austin,” Aaron said. “Tarpley’s was here in Pampa when I was a kid, but it closed when I was still rather young, so I don’t really remember it. I do remember Hastings, so ideally we’re trying to bring back a Hastings-style store with CDs, records, accessories, and apparel, with a side of lessons and repairs like Guitar Center has so we can have that type of service in Pampa.”
The store houses a variety of different instruments, including new, used, and custom-made guitars, plenty of band apparel and books, and a recording studio for those new and upcoming local artists. One of the most exciting services that Mostly Music offers is lessons in guitar, bass, piano, drums, and even vocal, taught by masters in their field.
“We’re going to start off with 15 total lessons to really just see how we do structure-wise because we want to start off slow and not take on too much. We want to make sure we have the processes in place so we can handle the amount of people who really want to do this. We at least want kids to try it, and the cool thing about our guitar and bass lessons is if they complete six consecutive months, we will give them a custom guitar. You don’t have to have the instruments to start either. We have a lessons room back here that is furnished they can use, and every lessons credit comes with a rehearsal time, so if they want to come in and they don’t have an instrument, they can use that to practice for 30 minutes. Tuesday through Thursday would be when we do the rehearsal and practice phase, so if kids wanted to come in after school, they could schedule a time to come in and rehearse on the stuff we have to use as a practice time in case they don’t have those instruments at home. That way they could see if it’s something they’re interested in before they invest in it.”
“We just want them to have a solid space with no distractions where they can get away a little while and practice and make sure it’s something they want to do.”
But not only does Mostly Music cater to those who have always wanted to learn how to play, they also provide services and products to those local artists who are either currently established, are trying to get their music career off the ground, or just enjoy playing music.
“We are working on getting band accessories from brands like Ernie Ball and D’Addario which will open us up to sell more guitar strings, picks, and things like that you always have to drive to Amarillo for.”
“There’s quite a big gap or a missing piece and I think it’s more of needing the encouragement of just going for it. I hope we can encourage people to come take lessons and learn how to play and make music and be creative. Pampa needs more music and art, and I hope that we can help bring that to the community in some way.”
So stop by, meet the guys, check out the store, and sign up for some lessons while you’re there Tuesday through Thursday from 3 PM to 8 PM, Friday from 3 PM to 9 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM, and Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM.
