In Redding CA, music is in the air once again. Back in August, The Music Connection celebrated its grand opening on Bechelli Lane, according to the original report from The Redding Record Searchlight. Part of the festivities was Bernie Baker, the store’s Manager, who had owned the music store that previously occupied that space. As the Redding Record Searchlight story reported, The Music Connection is, in essence, a reincarnation of Bernie’s Guitar, Baker’s old store, which shuttered earlier this year. Bernie’s Guitar had boasted impressive longevity, as well, having operated for nearly 40 years. It had been a favorite of budding musicians and local music lovers. Baker was forced to close his shop in April because of a $100,000 tax debt to the Internal Revenue Service.
According to Sally MacMillan, who, along with her husband, Bruce, owns The Music Connection, they invested some $40,000 in remodeling the store, which, according to the original article, had not been revamped since 1989. The deal did not, however, address Baker’s debt to the IRS, which is divorced from the store. The Music Connection will host regular concerts and lessons and, at the time of this writing, was scheduling a musician swap at which artists could trade equipment.