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Rock, rock ’til you ‘Stop’ |
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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Wednesday, 20 September 2006 |
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 There’s a new stop in Fort Collins where wide-eyed kids will buy their first guitar, teens will take professional lessons and area musicians will network with other musicians.
The Rock Stop may be new in town, but the owners hope to become a musical resource for northern Colorado.
“Our driving force is our atmosphere,” said Dave Wygmans, co-owner of The Rock Stop.
Electric and acoustic guitars line the wall with detailed descriptions printed next to each one. A big bulletin board with a few postings offers potential connections for the community. And a cozy lounge area centers on an original astro game from the ‘80s. The store features guitars, guitar and drum accessories and guitar lessons.
“Musical instrument stores can be intimidating,” said Kristy Wygmans, Dave’s wife and co-owner. “People feel stupid and don’t want to ask questions. We want to become a resource where they are comfortable.”
Dave wanted to own his own business for a long time, so he partnered with his wife, brother Hugh and sister-in-law Marty.
At 7 and 8, the boys were given their first classical acoustic guitars. Dave later got into drumming and studied percussion four summers in a row at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Hugh majored in audio engineering, taught audio production classes and worked at a major recording studio in Chicago. In addition, both play in a band.
“We really want to focus on the local musicians,” Dave said. “Hugh and I are struggling musicians and know what they go through. We want to help them out.”
Hugh runs day-to-day tasks of the store, since his partners have other jobs. The store rocked its grand opening party Sept. 8 at 209 N. College Ave., which was a success. But the owners still have a stockpile of ideas yet to dabble with. Once they are a little more adjusted, they want to introduce a weekly open mic night.
‘We have tons of ideas. We just need time to do them,” Hugh said.
[ —— IN THEIR WORDS —— ]
What is it about this job that makes it challenging? Makes you get out of bed in the morning?
Every day is different. That’s the challenge and what gets me out of bed, though anyone who knows me will tell you that I’m an early riser no matter what. People challenge me every day with questions or problems that they need answers for. I really enjoy talking with them, just shooting the breeze, helping them solve a problem or find what they want. I don’t pretend to be an expert in anything, but it feels great knowing that I’ve pointed someone in the right direction. Another challenge is balancing everything else that needs to be done. From meeting with sales reps, checking in inventory and making decisions on pricing to vacuuming the floor.
Things that impress you?
People who help others with no regard to what it will cost them personally. People who make it seem easy to meet others. Humility. Talent. Grace.
Things that don’t.
So-called leaders who make bad decision after bad decision and won’t admit it or learn from their mistakes. People who refer to other people or ideas as evil in an attempt to get support for themselves.
How do young/new employees get ahead?
Um, we don’t have any employees yet. When we do, I’d imagine that they would get ahead here, like anywhere else. By stabbing fellow employees in the back and kissing up to the boss. Kidding! I hope that getting ahead won’t be an issue here at The Rock Stop. We want this place to be as enjoyable for our employees as it is for us and our customers.
Did you ever think in a million years you’d work here?
I haven’t been around for a million years yet so I don’t know. Almost every job that I’ve held in my life has had to do with music or audio in one way or another. I used to teach guitar at a music store a few years back, so I’m not surprised that I’ve found my way back to one.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you do?
Something else music or audio related. Maybe I’d be an astronaut.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done while at work? Smartest?
Oh, jeez. I’ve done a lot of stupid things while on the job. Nothing really stands out though, nothing that’s ever gotten me fired. The smartest thing I’ve ever done? Well, it got me fired, but I stood up for what was right.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever done to make money?
I’m pretty boring when it comes to doing unusual things.
Any interesting anecdotes? (Interesting stories or things you live by)
Lots of them, but I can’t tell them here.
What’s the one thing you wish you could do on the job that you can’t right now?
Teach. I miss teaching.
What do you do during your breaks?
Answer questions for interviews. Not that I do a lot of interviews.
What’s one thing about your job you would do, even if you weren’t paid to do it?
Just about everything except the paperwork. You wouldn’t believe how much paperwork is involved in running a business. Fortunately, I’ve got a lot of help in that area.
Name one thing in your life that really prepared you for your job.
There are so many skills involved in my current job. I don’t think that I can name just one thing that prepared me for it. I’ve picked up things from every experience that I’ve had, from things I’ve seen work to things that didn’t. That said, being a guitarist definitely helps when you’re running a guitar store.
What’s the biggest payoff in your job?
Meeting people.
Are you the boss? Do you think you should be?
Sort of. At the store I am and yes I should be.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
Sleep, eat, play guitar, write songs, read books and watch TV, in no particular order.
Pets? Family?
I don’t have any pets. I have a wife, Hi, Marty! And a step-daughter, Hi, Amberly!
Favorite TV shows. Movies. Books.
O.K., why don’t you guys ask about bands, artists or albums here?
Bands/Artists/Albums: Queen, The Alan Parsons Project, Incubus, Frank Zappa, William Shatner’s “Has Been,” Firesign Theatre, Tool and System of a Down.
TV: “Farscape,” “CSI,” “Battlestar Galactica” and “Two and Half Men”.
Movies: “Good Night, and Good Luck,” “The Life of Brian,” “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Interview with a Vampire.”
Books: “Armor,” “Foreigner,” “Catch 22,” “The Truth” and “The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.”
What Web sites do you have bookmarked?
Way too many to list. Most of them I bookmark and then never go back to. One of my favorites though is www.StrangeHues.com. That one’s mine.
Where do you play? Go out to eat?
I haven’t been playing much since we started the store. I have been eating out a lot though. Mostly fast/junk food though. Other than that, I enjoy eating out at Lucky Joe’s, The Silver Grill, Washington’s, Tail Gate Tommy’s and Sanford’s Grub and Pub.
Favorite spot?
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