By Keich Whicker - The Union-Recorder
MILLEDGEVILLE - With approximately 150 guitars hanging from the walls and standing up on the floor, various
assembled piles of drum kits and stacks of amplifiers, it's somewhat difficult to find an empty place to stand at Guitar Town
Music Center.
"I just want to get the word out and let everyone know we're hiding up here on the hill," said Ronnie Pittman,
who opened the store at 3011 Heritage Place, across from the Wal-Mart, back in May. "We're ready to serve the community and
give everybody what they need."
Pittman, who has more than 18 years experience managing music stores in places as far flung as Atlanta and Nashville,
believes Milledgeville and the surrounding area desperately needs a sort of one-stop music shop, which is what he hopes Guitar
Town will eventually become in the minds of local musicians.
"I think this town has needed one for quite a while," he said. "So I figured we'd try and get some gear in town
and see what happens. The closest thing right now is in Macon. What I'm trying to do is offer everybody something to
keep them from having to drive to Macon or Atlanta."
Other than the impressive array of guitars, which can be seen from outside the store through the window, drums,
basses, amplifiers and various other accessories are all for sale.
Public address system rentals, music lessons and church installations are also available. And if there's anything
a musician is after that he can't find in the store, Pittman said he could probably order it.
Guitar Town plans to carry a healthy mixture of new and used items and trade with customers. Pittman also said
he would like to get involved with the community.
"I want to try and get involved with the community and offer a lot of programs," he said. "I want to try and
help some underprivileged kids, maybe try to work on a music program that helps them get started doing some stuff with an
instrument."
At its grand opening, which is tentatively slated for July 9, Guitar Town
plans to give away three or four guitars and several sets of strings. Currently, Guitar Town Music Center is open from 10
a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
