A new music store has recently emerged here in Wichita Falls, and I had the opportunity to sit down with Jason Byas, the manager of Hayley’s Music.
Jason has been in the music scene here for a long time, having played in groups such as Seventy Times Seven in the early 90’s, and in bands with members of Bowling For Soup. He was also employed by McCarty Music for several years in the late 90’s, and more recently was an English and Journalism teacher at Old High.
When his friend, Dr. John Haley, decided to open a music store, he bought the building next to his eye clinic on Kemp Blvd and asked Jason to run it. Since McCarty’s had closed and Music Express owner DeWayne Kinnett passed away last year, and Great Neck Guitars has shut down, he saw an opportunity to offer our town a fresh new place to sell quality instruments, p.a. gear, drums, and provide music lessons.
Jason likes the laid back feel of the store, where people can come in and play and not be accosted by those ‘pushy sales people you might find at the large chain stores’. And he is pleased with the caliber of his music teachers Kristin Mask, Donovan Hickman, Kelly Jackson, Mike Ramos, and David Hamilton.
He said he feels like Wichita Falls needed a new place to buy some quality instruments and gear such as Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, Seagull, and Art & Luthier as well as some unique and high-end instruments like Martin, Taylor, and Les Paul.
Haley’s Music is also an official Tama and Gretsch drum dealer, and they offer p.a. gear, p.a. rentals, and installation, including brands like QSB, JBL, EV, and Peavey.
Jason invites you to stop by Hayley’s Music at 1907 Kemp Blvd and visit with him and Dustin Fike, play around on some great instruments, pick up some strings and sticks, and get all the gear you need to get you and your band set up to play your next gig.
~Tim Maloney
