Local Musicians the Focus at Buffalo Creek

By Kristyn D’Angiolillo, For the Southside Messenger

Gary Hickman opened Buffalo Creek Guitar in Farmville in 2006, but the shop is not his first musical endeavor. Hickman has been a musician and songwriter since high school. He has played and performed with different bands over the past 15 years, including his favorite, a contemporary Christian/folk rock band. He loved playing music with the guys in that band because he felt that they “spoke the same language musically.”

Hickman and his wife now live in Blackstone, Va. but are originally from Tampa, Florida Before moving to Virginia, they sold their house in Tampa and traveled to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Eureka Springs is an art community that inspired Hickman to open Buffalo Creek. He said that there was an old man who had a shop in town where musicians could hang out and jam. Hickman told himself, “When I get old, that’s what I wanna do.” And he did it.

Today, Buffalo Creek Guitar has been open for eight years and provides many services to the public. Not only does he sell a variety of instruments, but the shop also offers piano, bass and guitar lessons. They are currently looking to expand their lessons, “revamp [their] instructional program” over the next year. Hickman also does repairs and maintenance on instruments and especially loves to work with acoustic and old vintage guitars. “It’s a blast to see it come to life,” Hickman said about working on a guitar.

Every other Tuesday evening, Hickman hosts a Bluegrass Night at 7 p.m. at the shop where bluegrass musicians from around the area come and play music together. “They have a ball, that’s why I do it,” stated Hickman. There is a regular group of musicians who have been coming for years and love having the opportunity.

Another popular event that Hickman holds at Buffalo Creek is an Open Mic Night the third Wednesday of each month, also starting at 7 p.m. Hickman stated that this is one of his favorite things about having the shop. So many different talented musicians from around the area love having the chance to perform for an audience. People play all different kinds of music from folk songs to today’s popular hits.

Hickman is also very involved in the Farmville community. He works with the Main Street Music Program and First Fridays as well as the yearly Heart of Virginia Festival. Hickman stated that he has met “some of the best musicians [he’s] ever known” in the Farmville area. He has a passion for music and helping out his fellow musicians by giving them the opportunity to do what they love.