STOCKHOLM Tracey Bennett and her fiancé Dean Bartone opened Trackside Rehearsal Studio recently to fill a need they saw in their community.
Bartone is a member of Southern Fury Band, and Bennett is the owner of Big John's Pub in Newfoundland. Bartone found himself traveling to Paterson, Fairfield or Rockaway for studio space.
We just thought that this would be something needed in the area, Bennett said.
Bennett and Bartone overhauled their space to make it studio-ready. A month of putting up walls and new floors, soundproofing the rooms and repainting the whole building resulted in two studio rooms that bands or musicians can rent to practice.
Trackside, at 2828 Route 23 North in Stockholm, offers practice rooms and lessons, instrument repair and set-up and sells new and resale clothing.
Those who book a practice room get a full PA system, a drum kit, two guitar amps and a bass amp.
Musicians Daryl Robinson and Greg Hollister offer guitar and bass lessons. Robinson was a student of Bartone's and later became a teacher.
Trackside boasts of its close, personal service and variety of products. It is a family business; Bennetts daughter works at the store during the day and Bartone and Bennett take over when she is not there.
The couple met when Bartone performed at the bar that Bennett owns, Big Johns Pub in Newfoundland. They have been together for five years and currently reside in West Milford.
Bartones love of music began when he was a child, when he first started performing. Recently, he has enjoyed performing southern rock and covers with the Southern Fury Band, which plays locally and has opened for national acts such as the Outlaws and the Marshall Tucker Band, among others.
Tracksides official grand opening will be held on July 7 at 2 p.m. Musicians are welcome to bring their instruments and try out the rooms while enjoying free snacks and beverages.
For more information go to www.tracksiderehearsalstudio.co or call 973-697-3434.