Bring Back The Record Retailers!
By Zach Tate

Robert "Bubba" Donovan's musical instrument and record store, Island Music, located in Galveston, Texas survived Hurricane Ike's 8 foot wall of water but can it survive another year of competition from the real monster to small business; corporate America (Guitar Center and such) and the onslaught of the on-line retailers like Musician's Friend (are they really)?

In fairness, even the big corporations understand that their image is important and, if they have to, occasionally "give back" to the communities they serve.  Not like giving at Christmas... more like giving with an agenda.  But then, like Bob Seger says in Night Moves, this notion is not entirely unromantic, "I used her, she used me, but neither one cared.  We were gettin' our share." 


In 2011, American Express produced a commercial promoting "Small Business Saturdays" encouraging people to shop at the independent businesses in their community on Saturday, November 26.  As the video (now on YouTube) suggests, small businesses, like Bubba's Island Music bring character to a community, not to mention a chance to interact in the flesh with the real live people who live and work around you.  In the case of a music store like Island, Bubba is quick with his opinion of online shopping for instruments.

"I can't imagine buying a guitar without hearing it, without touching it," says, Donovan.  “I guess we’re what you’d call, ‘old school’.”

At Island Music you can do all the touching and feeling you want.  The exposed brick and casual atmosphere create a groovy environment to engage with Bubba, the store’s sole proprietor; a knowledgeable technician, passionate musician and all round laid-back guy who cares about music, the community and independent artists.

Island Music recently started carrying CD's by musicians from Galveston to Amarillo.  Immediate locals include Boo Schaaf, Thrill Hill, Melovine, and Ocean Roots.  The Texas music distributor known as Ice House also drops in to Island Music regularly and to update their selection of CD's that include works by Hayes Carll, Robert Earl Keen, Jack Ingram, Guy Clark and many others.  

"We make a choice with every dollar we spend," says local political activist and small business owner, Lisha Coleman.  "Recycling dollars into the community, buying American made products, buying directly from the people who make up the fabric of our communities, is our personal responsibility.  Getting stuff a dollar cheaper at the dollar store is putting everyone out of business one dollar at a time! It makes me sad when I see a store on my block put the 'for rent' sign in the window...  Get off your butt and go spend money with those stores before it's too late!"  Lisha Coleman is a hair extensions stylist in the Clear Lake, Texas area.

Island Music just wrapped up it's summer live music series with Austin Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Brian Collins and local, Boo Schaaf.   Acoustic music on the sidewalk outside Island Music (next door to another tasty independent shop: Oasis Juice Bar & Market) proved to be a popular idea over the summer and Bubba is looking forward to next year - if he can keep the store open. 

Island Music offers music lessons, guitars, amps, strings and more and is located at 407 25th Street Galveston Island, Texas 77550.  

Find Bubba on Facebook at Facebook.com/IslandMusicGalveston.