Independent music store becoming performance venue

David A. Moodie/File photo "Merely the Mocs" performs during a benefit concert at Galaxy CDs in Hamilton on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011.

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By James Sprague, Contributing Writer 3:03 PM Saturday, December 17, 2011

HAMILTON — A local music store is taking a different approach in its attempt to not only remain viable in the Hamilton music scene, but contribute to it, as well.

Galaxy CDs – a fixture since 2000 – has, like most independent music vendors since the advent of iTunes, struggled with its music sales. Instead of closing up shop, however, the store is shifting direction, and hosting its second Songwriters Workshop and Open Mic night Dec. 20. The night is just one of the many things store owner Ryan Shoemaker is doing to grow the music scene.

“We’re trying to expand the community of artists and songwriters in the area,” Shoemaker said. “Kind of like a give-back to the community, if you will.”

The goal of the workshop, which was first held in November, is to hone the skills of local musicians both young and old, Shoemaker said. Zach Starkie, a professional musician and teacher at Fairfield City Schools, is hosting the upcoming workshop.

“We had a really broad spectrum (of people) attend the first one,” Shoemaker said. “About 12 to 15 people showed up, several people brought guitars and they bounced ideas back and forth about songs they were working on.”

Shoemaker is also adding music venue to his store’s mission with shows and open mic comedy night.

“We were transitioning out of being a conventional record store,” Shoemaker said. “The economy played a role, as well as the changing trends in music buying habits with things like iTunes squeezing the space for independent record stores to survive.”

The project has now morphed into something bigger, Shoemaker said. Many of the store’s previous fixtures have been removed to make room for the shows and an audience capacity of 300.

The store hosted its first show in October as part of the national “Night of Sweet Relief” campaign, with proceeds being donated to the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.

“We’re pretty open to (any genre of music),” Shoemaker said. “There’s not anywhere (in Hamilton) you can go for an all ages, original band show.”

Overall, it’s an effort to keep not only Galaxy CDs relevant, but the Hamilton music community as well.

Contact this writer at spragoo1977@yahoo.com.