All-ages school of rock offers new way to learn music

Decatur, GA

Lori Murphy of Firehouse Guitars & Music sends this in.

Wanted to introduce our local business - it\'d be great to add us to your store listings on your blog as we provide musical instrument & gear, as well as music lessons.

Also, please see our press release about our AMP program, an all ages school of rock program right here in Decatur. Final performance is April 13th at Eddie\'s Attic.

All-ages school of rock offers new way to learn music

DECATUR, GA, January 5th, 2010

Firehouse Guitars & Music is announcing their second semester of the Academy of Music Performance (AMP), an all ages “school of rock,” to run the last week of January to April, 2010. Classes will culminate in a final performance at Eddie’s Attic, the famed Decatur venue that launched such acts as John Mayer and the Indigo Girls. The AMP program is unique in that it instructs performers of all ages and focuses on original songwriting.

“Our focus is getting students playing together and learning the give and take that comes with performance,” says Firehouse owner, Eric Murphy. “We also focus on original songwriting which stretches our students as creative musicians. This emphasis is part of why we attract adults as well as kids – we give them an outlet to do more with their musical interests than play alone in their basements.”

The AMP program began in the fall of 2009 with the formation of five bands–two adult-only bands and three groups for kids and teenagers. With names like “Broom Closet Ramblers” and “MidEvil Knievel,” their sounds ranged from bluegrass to punk. In November groups played to a packed house at Eddie’s Attic, bypassing the often half a year or longer waiting list they have for their renowned open mic nights.

The program’s Master Teacher is Atlanta’s own Johnny McGowan who has performed with acts such as Bo Diddley, Squirrel Nut Zippers and Atlanta Rhythm Section. Students of McGowan’s get to work with a seasoned veteran who helps them find their own talents and channel them into songwriting and performing. As one fall student stated in the AMP program, “I learned more, and faster, than in individual lessons.”

Firehouse Guitars and Music of Georgia, Inc. was established in July 2008 when new owners Eric and Lori Murphy purchased the Atlanta area stores Eric had been managing for several years (Conyers was established in 2001 and Decatur in 2005). Both locations carry top brands such as Fender and Ibanez and together provide lessons to nearly 300 students in everything from guitar to drums to banjo. Currently only Firehouse Decatur offers the AMP program, but there are plans to bring the program to Conyers in the near future. Sign up sheets for the Decatur program can be downloaded from guitarsatlanta.com/lessons or picked up at the store. The sign up deadline for the 2010 spring semester is January 23rd.

Firehouse Guitars & Music of Decatur is located at 2520 N. Decatur Rd at the intersection of N. Decatur, Medlock Road and Scott Boulevard. The Firehouse store in Conyers is located on the access road off I-20 at 1413 Iris Drive. Firehouse maintains an active fan page on Facebook (http://bit.ly/5IxFm9) and can be followed on Twitter @guitarsatlanta. Their web site is guitarsatlanta.com.

Contact:
Lori Murphy, Media Relations
lori.murphy@guitarsatlanta.com
404-372-2840