Doers and Dreamers – Dustin Bryant
When it comes to music, Kingston really rocks! In any given week, there is a plethora of choices of live performances in local venues to choose from and many of those musicians are hardcore locals. Support to develop local talent comes from a variety of sources and this week’s Doer and Dreamer is doing just that on many fronts.
Name: Dustin Bryant
Business or organization: Planet Woodstock Music, 1112 Morton Blvd, Kingston
Occupation: Music Store Owner, Guitar Teacher, and Music Scene Instigator
What is your approach to your business or occupation that makes you unique?
Since retail is very different today than it was 20 years ago, learning how to adapt the retail aspect and intertwine it into a helpful community way. I enjoy finding solutions to making the wheels on the music scene roll. Fixing a guitar for someone before their show, or a last minute sound rental, showing someone how a piece of gear works, explaining what kind of guitar strings would make someone’s guitar sound and play better, getting a trumpet mouthpiece unstuck. I’ve spent a long time learning these things; it’s great to share the information when it helps others.
One of the things I’ve been most excited about is the new Rock Club we’ve started at the store. Rock Club is for High-school aged kids to learn about different areas in the music industry and it connects local musicians or people in the music industry with educating the kids, they get to learn different aspects of the music world. We’ve had Lara Hope from Lara Hope & The Ark Tones in as a guest, Jay from Of the Atlas, Jay Anderson (Operation Audio) recently taught a class on live sound engineering, MK Brunell from WDST was here. It’s been an evolving unique and different music program that connects the community to the budding future music scene.
The Kids in Rock Club have also have the task of booking, promoting, and running a monthly all age show at Planet Woodstock on the second Friday of each month. They try to pair a younger band with other local bands and it’s been working out awesome. We’ve had The Winning Season, and Ramona Lane, in January and in this past month we had Under Construction, Boarded Windows and Frances. It gives everyone a chance to see a live show and the Kids in rock club get the experience of running the sound, stage and all other aspects of the show.
That will be my long winded answer but I wanted to get all that out there.
Where are you from originally?
I grew up in Accord, So I say it the correct way (ACK-kord). I lived in Hollywood California for a few years in my early 20’s, and then moved back to this area.
What brought you to the Kingston area and keeps you in this area?
I love this area; I have many friends and family here. Between growing up in Accord and living in Los Angeles, Kingston is a happy in between; it’s a fun smaller city to be in, there are always things going on and plenty of live music. Since it’s smaller, you know people where every you go, and it has a neighborhood connected kind o feel. I also really enjoy the history of Kingston; my family has roots here dating back to the civil war.
What is your favorite hangout in this area and why?
The Anchor is probably my regular hang out, I love the food, and I host Open Mic on Wednesdays when Lara Hope is on tour. Keegan Ales being a close 2nd, but I do try to get to anywhere with live music, it’s awesome to have so many places in a small area, on any given night you can hear several live bands and all very different from one another.
When you’re not in Kingston, what’s your idea of a wonderful city to visit, and why?
If I could Pick all the people and places here in Kingston and drop us all in San Diego, that would be the perfect place. And as for why… Palm trees, beaches, weather, breweries and California Burritos. but I need us all in.
Tell us something that we never would have guessed about you.
Hmmm…. I suppose for those who don’t know me, I play Bass in a Rage Against The Machine Tribute band called ‘No Shelter’. That sometimes surprises people.
