Guitar shop offers lessons, records songs and more

When Tony Walsh, co-owner of The Musicians Woodshed, first opened the one-room guitar shop, he stood at the counter and said to himself, "Man, I just hope someone comes in."

Walsh, a London, England, native and avid guitar player, didn't have to wait long. After opening the shop on Aug. 23, 2011, with just 1,500 square feet, Walsh added another 1,500 square feet that opened in March 2012, with the last 1,500 square feet added immediately after. The shop originally had two emergency practice rooms—the store was only intended for retail with no plans of providing lessons—but added more with the expansion.

"We just kept getting floods of new people," business manager Kelly Murray said.

The music shop added 80 new students in January and now provides nearly 400 lessons a week after starting with one or two lessons, Murray said.

The growth and evolution of the company have all come organically, marketing director Jay Woods said.

"It wasn't part of any master plan," Woods said.

The shop has evolved to provide lessons for all ages in a number of musical pursuits, including guitar, drums, piano, voice, violin, brass instruments, woodwind instruments and even the ukulele.

It is the dedication to the craft of music that has made the Woodshed successful, Woods said. The store has become a destination, a place students and their families come to hang out, not just to practice, Murray said.

"They have created a community where kids can play and learn," said Misty Gibbs, a Bee Cave resident who brings her child to The Musicians Woodshed for lessons. "It's pretty phenomenal. My daughter said it opened up a whole new world for her."

The Musicians Woodshed would like to expand operations at its Lakeway location, but with limited space, that plan is on hold. In the meantime, the store is currently pursuing a 12,000-square-foot store in Dripping Springs at the intersection of RM 12 and Hwy. 290.

Woodshed Live

The Musicians Woodshed provides students an opportunity once a month to perform in front of peers and family members. The event started on a small stage in the one-room store where students could show off what they had learned in their lesson. Eventually, with more and more students participating, the concert grew too large for the shop and was moved to the deck behind the store.

The most recent show had 45 students perform and has become a full concert production, business manager Kelly Murray said.

The event has helped the students get over any fear of performing they may have, Murray said.

"They get this feedback, and it's amazing," co-owner Tony Walsh said. "No matter how good or bad they are, when they get on that stage, they are rock stars."

The Musicians Woodshed, 3698 S. RR 620, Lakeway, 512-614-6491, www.themusicianswoodshed.com