Music Authority: Rentals to Rock Bands

Owner of Music Authority, Melissa Loggins joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum podcast to discuss its various music programs and services along with how Music Authority navigated the Coronavirus pandemic. Loggins joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the Around Atlanta segment and chats about everything from rock bands to instrument rentals and performances Loggins always knew from a young age that she loved performing arts. As a child, she was a ballerina and had a dream of opening a performing arts school one day. During her time in college, she earned a degree in Music Business. By the age of 25, she owned a music store, achieving her dream and becoming one of the rare people using their degree in the Music Business. Music Authority’s in-house repair shop is a full-line repair shop for school band and combo instruments that focuses on keeping the instruments in good working order. The store educates its customers to ensure they understand that their instruments should be serviced every six to eight months. Music Authority provides rentals and lessons on school band equipment, but the main focus is lessons and rentals for combo instruments such as guitars, amplifiers and drum sets. The store focuses on contemporary music and has a strong rock band program that will officially have eight rock bands this Fall. “Most schools have a lessons program, and they have a school band so we’re not going to reinvent the wheel and do what schools are already doing well,” mentioned Loggins. “We focus on those students who are getting missed because they play guitar and there isn’t a rock band they can join.” The rock band program at Music Authority has three phases. The middle phase is a five-month program aimed at middle schoolers that does not require an audition. All that is needed is a little background information on your chosen instrument. During those five months, students perform two to three productions: two at an in-house venue, The Back Room, and one at an outside venue such as a parking lot concert. Music Authority has been doing Rock Camp since 2003 and the rock band program for five years. Loggins has students who are featured on the radio and she has worked with artists who are now very successful in the music industry. She even has students finding success in the European music scene. The showcase band program is a varsity-level program that requires an audition to join. The program’s groups perform at least once a month at venues like RockSolid Brewery in Ball Ground and Joe’s Sports Bar in Alpharetta. Guest appearances at the Halcyon Kid’s Club, allow toddlers to try out instruments. This program is designed for high schoolers, and some are given the opportunity to travel with Loggins to Nashville, Tennessee to experience the music industry. The newest program offered is an elementary school program giving young children an opportunity to experience and try out music at an earlier age. Music Authority is located in Forsyth County, a county with a fantastic arts program that is currently building a new arts complex for its arts program to utilize. “What we focus on is the kids that aren’t getting (needs) met within the school systems because you can’t go to the school system and sign up for a rock band. That’s something very specific that we do,” said Loggins. “I don’t want to compete against my school system. We support them.” Through partnerships with schools Music Authority often supports music programs through sponsorships.  And last year during the pandemic, Music Authority helped raise money to help the elementary school program purchase ukuleles. Twenty percent of the students are adults, and last summer, Music Authority had an adult rock program. Loggins encourages adults to get involved as it’s a great way to relieve stress and find a creative outlet.