Music store covers teaching and recording

There are not many places aspiring musicians can go where they can learn how to play an instrument, how to write a song and eventually how to turn that song into a high-quality recording, but that is exactly what Farland Music aims to be.

Located on Hanna Road in Oak Ridge North, Farland is a music store/recording studio hybrid. Owners Adam and Joanie McFarland, along with an assortment of other teachers and experts, provide lessons in guitar, piano, drum and bass, in addition to recording studio services.

"We want to be a place where people can come and develop every aspect of their desire to play music," Adam said.

Adam—who studied jazz guitar at the University of North Texas and recording arts at Full Sail University—had been teaching and recording from his house for about six years. News of his recording services spread through word-of-mouth, Adam said, and his business began to grow. Last spring, he and Joanie teamed up with local drummer and recording engineer, Eric Griffith, to open Farland Music.

"It's always been both [Joanie's and my] dream since we were small to run a music store," he said. "It all just fell into place."

Farland has 25 students enrolled in lessons and that number is increasing every month, according to Joanie and Adam.

They have five teachers, including Adam, Joanie and Griffith, who teach guitar, piano and drums, respectively.

They also have other teachers lined up to help as they continue to grow.

"We're doing better than we expected to at this point," Adam said. "With any business you expect to lose a little money the first year, and we're not doing that so we're happy with the way things are going."

Adam, who grew up in Conroe, said his immersion in the local music scene has given him some advantages when it comes to running his business.

"It's really cool to have access to musicians all around the Houston area," he said. "If someone calls saying they want lessons in cigar box guitar or something, I know people. I can get that."

In addition to lessons and recording services, Adam also offers a range of musical accessories—strings, tuners, capos, drum sticks, song books and some beginner instruments.

"We order song books like crazy to really try to customize the lessons," he said. "I think it's really important that the kids know they don't only have to dwell on Bach and Mozart. If they want to learn a Taylor Swift song, we can work that in."

Farland Music, 26797 Hanna Road Bldg. 3, Suite 4C, Oak Ridge North, 281-419-8863, www.farlandmusic.com