Winner
Advance Music Center
Winner
GuitarSam
Mike Trombley, co-owner of Advance Music Center, suffered through six months of forced classical music lessons as a kid before ditching his guitar in a closet. When he pulled it out later to teach himself “Smoke on the Water,” he reluctantly gave due credit to his former teacher. Years later, he opened Advance Music. The store’s core audience now includes kids and their parents who are looking to buy or rent instruments and enroll in lessons.
SEVEN DAYS: Ever had any famous musicians take lessons or shop here?
MIKE TROMBLEY: Back in the early days, all the Phish guys shopped here, and three of them still do. We also did a lot of repairs for Grace Potter and have had the Allman Brothers, Jethro Tull and the Tragically Hip. We’ve had a decent run of the famous and semi-famous through here.
—LINDSAY J. WESTLEY
Advance Music Center
| Jul 31, 2019
Advance Music Center
| Aug 1, 2018
Advance Music Center
| Aug 2, 2017
Advance Music Center
| Aug 3, 2016
Advance Music Center
| Aug 5, 2015
Advance Music Center
| Jul 30, 2014
Advance Music Center (Burlington) & GuitarSam (Montpelier)
| Aug 7, 2012
Advance Music Center
| Aug 1, 2011
Advance Music (Burlington) & GuitarSam (Montpelier)
| Aug 2, 2010
Advance Music
| Aug 4, 2009
Advance Music
| Jul 30, 2008
Advance Music Center
| Jul 25, 2007
Advance Music Center
| Aug 9, 2006
Advance Music Center
| Aug 10, 2005
Advance Music Center
| Jul 28, 2004
Advance Music Center
| Jul 22, 2003