Staff photo/JULIA R GOAD Musician Ralph Hall, owner of T & R Music, invites the public to his new music shop on Third Avenue. Its grand opening was yesterday.

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By JULIA ROBERTS GOAD

Staff Writer

WILLIAMSON - Veteran musician Ralph Hall says he wants musicians to be able to buy locally.

“If you need something, you had to go to Pikeville or Logan,” he said. “Or buy online, which doesn’t help the little man.”

And that is why he has opened T & R Music in downtown Williamson.

Ralph is a Williamson resident with a day job at Veolia Water who but has played drums for 20 years in local bands including Mama’s Pump House and Rosefire. His shop carries electric and acoustic guitars, amps, basses, drums and other instruments, as well as accessories and special order items.

“If I don’t have it here, I can get it in two days,” he said. “I hope to have online ordering as well.”

T & R also offers a DJ and PA system for rent, in-house guitar repairs, music lessons and a place for musicians to play.

“We have a lot of talented musicians in our area,” Ralph said. “Now they can come here and play, get them off the street,” he added with a laugh.

T & R Music is located on Third Avenue in Williamson, in the former Cantee’s Department Store. Store hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The phone number is 304-236-5923.