Getting Ready to Rock Out

Main Street is about to get a little more musical.

a Rye-based music staple, is branching out to Tarrytown, right across the street from the Tarrytown Music Hall.

According to owner Paul Bessolo, the store's renovations began this Monday, and are expected to take around a month. He will be converting part of the space into a soundproof studio, as well as arrange to have instruments and sheet music on display.

Similar to the current Rye location, Tarrytown's Rock Island Sound will provide some lessons for guitar, bass, piano and drum players, as well as voice lessons, for every level of ability, in the store and in student's homes.

"I've been teaching music all my life, playing in bands all my life," said Bessolo.

But Bessolo's real hope for the store is to win over music enthusiasts and professionals who have an appreciation for his collection of boutique guitars and amps.

The Argentina native, who moved to the United States 18 years ago, comes from a family of classically-trained musicians. He took up the guitar at age seven, and the piano at 11.

He was 16 when he began playing in bands and switched over to rock and roll.

"There weren't too many girls in the classical world," he joked. "I made the right move at the right time."

Bessolo went on to earn a masters from SUNY Purchase in classical composition and opened the Rye store in 2005 when he didn't make it as far as he hoped as a musician.

"When I didn't become as famous as the Stones, that's where I drew the line," he said.

Bessolo hopes his expansion will benefit from Main Street's extensive foot traffic, especially that of Music Hall guests and musicians.

"All of the guitars I own aren't being appreciated. It's a shame," he said. "I'm looking for that connection."

Bessolo prides himself on the uniqueness of his guitars, and hopes professional musicians will fall in love with them and tell their friends, creating a strong market.

Rock Island Sound will also work to connect with the Tarrytown and surrounding schools to offer after-school lessons and programs, similar to those they provide in the Rye area.

The store also hosted a music summer camp for kids this year, ending with an impressive production of original songs this past week (see attached videos).

Currently, the store's instructors provide after school programs in all of the Rye schools, four schools in White Plains, two in Larchmont and other outlets like the Rye Recreation Center and Rye YMCA.

"The town [Tarrytown] seems to be so much more alive," he said. "By September first, I want to be ready to go."