If you’ve ever ventured up East Third Street and into Farmville’s local music store, Buffalo Creek Guitar Company, you were probably met with a warm welcome from the shop’s owner Gary Hickman.
Hickman opened Buffalo Creek in May 2006, and has since become the Town of Farmville's main reference for instrument repair and music lessons. While most locals know Hickman for his devotion to cultivating and encouraging local musicians, his personal music journey started years before he arrived in Virginia.
When asked about his musical background, Hickman traced back to the '70s, when the music scenes and popular tastes were much different than they are now.
“When I first started playing music, I was more into big band and jazz,” said Hickman, who was once a trombone player before trading the horn for a guitar.
“That was also the time when the folk scene was coming in,” he said with a smile.
This emerging folk scene had a lasting impact on Hickman, who defines his favorite music genre as Americana.
“Songwriters are really my favorite thing. I want to hear original music.” said Hickman.
Hickman is a songwriter, and was once a part of an acoustic Christian band, playing music that aimed to “lift us up.”
Hickman’s music career was highlighted by having two of his songs recorded by the British rock band, The Zombies, known for their hit single “Time Of The Season.” Unfortunately, the group disbanded before Hickman’s songs were released; however, such an experience is still a testament to Hickman’s songwriting ability.
While Hickman’s personal music accomplishments would rank high on anyone’s list, the most significant moment in Hickman’s career wasn’t a performance or a recording opportunity.
“My greatest experience was sitting in a room with Willie Nelson.” Hickman smiled as he recalled sitting in a hotel room with the iconic country singer and friend as they “passed a guitar around” and talked for three hours. To this day, Hickman still has the guitar, where Nelson’s signature is scratched in along with other famous singers such as Guy Clark, who Hickman called his “hero.”
At one point in his career, Hickman settled into Fayetteville, Ark., which was home to a vibrant artistic community. Hickman acknowledged how the people he met there served as inspirations for when he opened his shop in Farmville.
“An old fellow had a music store about the size of my store,” Hickman said. “All day long there was music going in and out of the place, and this old guy, he was having a great time. It’s amazing how some little place like that can just imprint your brain.”
Hickman wants his guitar shop, Buffalo Creek, to have a similar atmosphere.
“One of our reasons for being here is to try to encourage musicians to play music and to give them someplace to do it,” he said.
Along with the shop, Hickman also runs the open mic at Uptown Coffee on Thursday nights from 7-9 p.m.
"It’s been fantastic,” Hickman said in regards to the open mic. “Seeing the growth of young musicians, that’s been really rewarding.”
