Weed Patch Music Company
K
~photos and story by Paige Langenderfer
ara Barnard has done a lot in her career. She is known as one of the best fingerstyle guitarists in the country, and a top ranked mandolinist and dulcimer player. She has seven CDs, has toured the country with her sister as the Barnard Sisters, and has even given workshops at international conventions. But, the thing she is most excited to talk about is teaching others and giving people an up-close experience with instruments at the store she coowns with Kristin Thompson, The Weed Patch Music Company. The store is located just east of the Brown County Courthouse. It is known for the big banjo on the front of the building. “When you hold an instrument, there is a vibration that puts you in direct contact with your spirituality,” Barnard said. “This is the kind of store that can change a person’s life overnight.” Barnard originally opened the store 10 years ago with a previous co-owner. A few years later, she sold out to her partner, but when she heard that he was
24 Our Brown County Nov./Dec. 2016
going to close the store, she stepped up to take another shot at ownership. “I thought it was really important that we keep the store open. I have always thought this town needs an up close experience with instruments. There is a vibration in these hills. It’s a magical place with a pull to music,” she said. “There are some incredibly talented musicians in this town and some people who have never played an instrument before. We’re here for all of them.” Barnard said second-time-around ownership would not have been possible without new partner Kristin Thompson. “Kristin brings a youthful passion and can relate to children in a way that they are able to immediately trust her,” Barnard said. “She is very passionate about teaching kids and even made the suggestion for our brand new “just for kids” section. She is going to do a fantastic job empowering and building confidence in kids as they learn a new instrument.”