Pacific Music Extends Gift of Giving that Reaches Mexico

may just appear like a small run-of-the-mill music store on the outside, but this is a place where the people behind the scenes make it something magical. From the owners, Gary and Kathy Weyand, to the store manager, Dave Goldberg and their wonderful instructors, this place is always a bustle of activity. For some odd reason, every time I go into the store I’m reminded of the movie of Xanadu. Eventually, one day, I will understand the connection, but as of yet with “Mom Brain" on my side, it’s just not there yet.

This is our one stop shop for new and used musical equipment. My daughter fell in love with the place as soon as she saw the carved wooden Beatles at the front of the store right when you walk in. When you take your time browsing through the store, you may be one of the lucky ones to hear Dave playing in the background. If you miss him playing at the store, you can always catch him at Pacific Music’s sponsored Songwriter’s Showcase/Open Mic Night at every third Tuesday of the month from 7:30 to 11 p.m.

This is also a shop that you can feel comfortable going into and know that you don’t need to know about what you’re interested in, you just have to have the general idea. For example, I love drumming at monthly drum circles, if I have a particular sound in mind and I don’t know what the object is. More often than not, he’ll know about it and if he doesn’t but has a general idea, he’ll look it up and show me images until we get it right. I love the fact that I can throw a name or a term at him that my husband has given me to follow up on, and he knows exactly what I mean, even if I don’t. I really appreciate a store that will take the time to explain what I need to know to know the product, and all it takes is a quizzical look, or what others call “Mel Speak” to get an explanation. I’m sure I could ask a question or two, but when something stumps me, I have a tendency to jumble a few words into a “Huh?!” expression that takes a life of its own. I can easily go to a “guitar-thingy-ma-jiggy thing” to “a pickup for an acoustic”, and I know what it does!

This is one of those places that you need to check at least biweekly because they get in some very unique items, and they go fast. From Sitars to Djembe drums, from classical guitars to electric, amps, drum sets... The list goes on. Younger children will have fun with the smaller hand drums, flutes and tambourines.

This family-run business has been operating for 24 years, and it'll be 25 years next June. They are known for their wonderful prices, music lessons, customer service and knowledge. They will work with you on the price by offering a generous layaway program, or better yet, a deal you can't refuse.

Pacific Music is also known for it's love of charity and helping good causes. When I was working on "The Walking Mom Project" and I spent some time at the store getting to know the people behind the business, I heard an amazing story about a customer of theirs who is not only a musician, but also a person that makes a difference in his spare time. I was shown a picture of a man with Pacific Music bumper stickers everywhere on his guitar case holding a kazoo with a big smile, and I not knowing the full story of course had to know why the person in the picture was bumper sticker happy. Dave, of course, couldn't help but laugh and told me that the man in the picture is Ron Sangalang, a local teacher. Dave originally met Ron at an Open Mic night when it used to be at the Oddfellow’s Bar and Grill in downtown Redmond. Ron mentioned to Dave that he was going to Tijuana, Mexico, as part of a church group to build homes for people in need. What a wonderful cause to take up and support in your spare time, and Pacific Music offered to send bumper stickers, kazoos, tambourines, harmonicas, hand drums and guitar strings along with them on their journey.

I love this business for multiple reasons, but their love for their community is something that I greatly admire.

PS: Have you seen the prices for the lessons they offer? I do believe we are the ones doing the highway robbery!