Island Music Company
Island Music Company
In 2023, FG4K was awarded a grant by REVERB.COM aimed at assisting in the acquisition of guitars for children. This was an exhilarating development, as the grant was provided in the form of Reverb credit on their platform. To make this initiative successful, our next step was to identify a reputable store that shared our mission and was enthusiastic about utilizing our Reverb credit to aid children. Luckily, our search led us to Keith at Island Music Company in La Plata, MD.Keith and his team at Island Music Company have exhibited tremendous support and incredible generosity towards FG4K! To delve deeper into their story and understand their commitment to supporting Free Guitars 4 Kids, we decided it would be wonderful to conduct an interview with Keith about his store and the reasons behind his desire to assist our cause.Can you share with us the inception story of Island Music Company? What inspired you to establish this music store, and how has it evolved over the years?I have worked in music retail since I was 14 years old and was fortunate to have been brought along by several amazing family-owned MI retail businesses. They showed me the ropes and taught me all the important skills that I utilize now. After a brief foray into commercial real estate in my early 20's I realized that MI retail was really my passion. My wife and I began as an online retailer from our apartment back in 2008, initially selling guitars from my personal collection. We quickly expanded into a small (really small, 10' x 10') brick and mortar store. 6 months later we expanded again, then again another 6 months later. We have been in our current location (roughly 15,000 sq ft) for 12 years and in business for 15 years now. We have roughly 24 people working here now, teach around 250 lessons per week, and sell instruments around the world. Music often has a personal significance to individuals. Could you tell us about your personal journey with music? How did your passion for music lead you to owning and operating Island Music Company?What role has music played in your life, and how has it influenced your approach to running Island Music Company I started playing guitar when I was 7 years old because I saw Eddie Van Halen on TV. Like so many others, music changed the course of my life for the better. It gave me drive and passion that helped me navigate many years of instability at an early age. I can say with absolute certainty that music has significantly impacted my life. I have no idea where I would be right now if I had not been able to get my hands on that first guitar. I want to make sure that my business enables kids and adults to pursue their passions like I was able to. Island Music Company is the music store I alway wanted when I was a kid. We have it all so that we can take part in every part of our customers' musical journey. From their very first lesson to helping them choose new gear for their 100th gig, I make sure we have everything they want. Early on we realized that we had an important role in our community to make music education and instruments accessible to any individual who is interested in learning. In your opinion, why is it crucial to support initiatives like Free Guitars 4 Kids, especially in today's society? How does music education benefit children beyond just learning to play an instrument? The current research on the effects of music education on child development really speaks for itself. But sadly, budget cuts and bureaucracy tend to make large sweeping changes difficult in our school systems and at the government level. It is a fight worth fighting, but it takes time that kids do not have. Through our own community efforts we have learned that the most effective means of change is to just get instruments into hands. Simply bridging the financial gap that separates kids from their music interests is a huge success. Free Guitars 4 Kids puts instruments in kids' hands now. You guys are focused on a single mission and driven by your own passion for music. It is a simple and focused effort that makes a world of difference in our society. A running joke around our shop is that music keeps us out of trouble. But it is true on so many levels. Kids (and adults) that can go home and mess around on an instrument are being constructive. Who cares if the music sounds terrible? Every bad note is a lesson learned and a future success. Each success and improvement is a moment we can lean on during times of trouble, stress, uncertainty, sadness, etc. For children specifically, this is a tool for social and emotional development. So much of the world is out of their control but impacts them directly. Anything we can give them to help cope will teach them healthy skills they will return to over and over during their life.Reflecting on your own musical journey, could you share a moment or experience that solidified your belief in the power of music education and accessibility for all children, regardless of their background or financial statusIsland Music Company founded our own non-profit called Rocktoberfest several years ago. It was a response to our own frustrations with ensuring our local schools did not divert funds away from art and music education. Every year we see students come in to purchase or rent a band or orchestra instrument and subsequently the strain it puts on parents to finance this new aspect of their child's life. We are painfully aware that there are many more kids who never even make it into the store because of financial difficulties. We believe that music should be available to every single child who is interested in learning, not simply those that can afford it. Rocktoberfest gives money to our local school system so they can purchase instruments and supplies for these kids to use.Looking towards the future, what are your aspirations or goals for Island Music Company's involvement with organizations like Free Guitars 4 Kids? How do you envision expanding this support to further benefit aspiring young musicians?We will always be willing to work with great organizations like Free Guitars 4 Kids who share our vision that instruments should be available to all kids who have a desire to learn! As a dealer for most major instrument manufacturers we are able to leverage our buying power to get the best deals so organizations can get the most out of their budget. Furthermore, we have exceptional product knowledge and can help choose instruments that meet the needs of the kids and organizations who will be receiving them.