Opening a music store in Sicamous would seem to be a natural transition in the chord progression that is John Guilbeault’s career.
Anyone who has passed by the former bowling alley on Main Street and Shuswap Avenue as of late will have noticed signs for the Music Man on the window, and maybe seen Guilbeault setting up a slew of stringed instruments – electric and acoustic guitars and banjos – and amplifiers below.
Some might be surprised to see a music store opening in Sicamous, though those who already know Guilbeault might not. For starters, he’s currently a member of the Sicamous-based band, Lead Painted Toys. Then there’s the fact that he’s been a part of the Shuswap music scene (and behind the scenes) for more than two decades. His last music-based business venture was Blue Water Music in Salmon Arm, though his clientele was largely from out-of-town.
“The majority of my customers came from Sicamous and Revelstoke,” says Guilbeault.
The guitar is Guilbeault’s instrument of choice. He says he began playing professionally at age 14, and at 58 he’s still rocking. Thirty of those years were spent working at, or running music stores and, in that time, he picked up a few other instruments.
“I’ve learned to play the keyboards, the drums, the percussion, wind instruments, brass instruments – you have to learn them all,” says Guilbeault. “The only one I cannot play is the violin. I can demo it for you and you’ll think I know how to play but I don’t. Banjo, mandolin, ukulele, I can play them all.”
The reason for learning all these instruments has to do with customer service.
“When somebody wants to know something, I can answer the question properly,” he says. “Why not show it well and be able to explain things, like how to properly tune a set of drums. A lot of people don’t know that.”
Lessons will be a big part of the Music Man’s offerings. As for the instruments, Guilbeault says he has deliberately picked low-priced models and brands to get help get beginners playing.
“There’s nothing like seeing that little guy getting his first guitar, and that smile. It pays off, man,” says Guilbeault, adding that for the higher-end stuff, he’s partnered with Lee’s Music of Kamloops and Wentworth Music in Kelowna.
“So any big brand our students want… I can call them up and get a student price, get them the best price possible, so they don’t have to go running to Kelowna, and I don’t have to purchase and inventory them.”
Though still in the process of setting up and bringing in inventory, Guilbeault says the Music Man should be officially open for business soon.
