WEST MILFORD — Shawn Reams can't imagine being anywhere but here, in West Milford. He was born and raised in the township and his hometown pride is evident. And as the proud owner of North Jersey Guitar on Union Valley Road, he is even more connected to his community
A business built on trust
With his personal philosophy and mission “to always treat people the way I would want to be treated,” Reams continues to cultivate his business. He said he always strives for his students to get the best musical education while also having fun.
“I have built our business on trust, reputation, and relationships," he said. "Our customers are my life and mean the world to me. Our students are like family.”
Personally and professionally, Reams works hard and has fun with his own ability to play a variety of instruments, including guitar, bass, piano, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, drums, and some others too. But his personal favorite to play and to teach is still his first musical love: the guitar.
Reams is always looking for ways to expand the business and better serve the community.
“I would like to get more live music happening around town, stuff that the younger generation can get involved with,” he said.
Reams annually sponsors the “North Jersey Guitar Stage” at the township's Autumn Lights Festival for various local musical talents to perform, and Reams himself can also be seen playing his guitar there solo, with his band, and also with some of his students as they perform. Their stage always draws a big crowd.
Keep it local
As a small business owner, Reams encourages members of the community to shop local.
“I can’t stress how important it is for people to shop local and support local businesses," said Reams. "We are very fortunate to have such a loyal and strong customer base. Most local businesses are just hanging on by a thread and really need our support. When you purchase from us, you are getting expertise, quality, service, and honesty at the same prices as the 'big box' stores. Shop local before local is gone.”
Planting roots
Reams is not only growing his business in his hometown, but also a family of his own.
“I look forward to building our family here,” Reams said. “I have a wonderful wife, Nina, and an amazing daughter Samantha (age 3) and another daughter on the way!” Reams met his wife of six years over a decade ago while he was playing in a band with her brother. The couple had an instant connection, “…and the rest is history,” he said.
While Reams found the love of his life while playing his guitar, Reams found his love of guitar at a friend’s house when he was about 9 or 10 years old. The friend was Mike Gallmann, and Reams said both of Gallmann’s parents are “fantastic musicians.” And they run "Music at the Mission" at the West Milford Presbyterian Church.
"There were always instruments around their house,” Reams recalled, “I picked up a guitar, made some noise on it, ran home more excited than I had ever been, and my mom took me to get my first guitar; so I have to give credit to Sara and Matt Gallmann for inspiring me. I think I have had a guitar in my hands for more time than not.”
Steeped in music
Reams said his mother herself was also a big inspiration for his musical aspirations. Although she didn’t play an instrument, she loved to listen to music. “Some of my earliest memories are hearing my mother play (music) around the house: music like Janis Joplin, Carole King, Eric Clapton and many more,” Reams reminisced. And she still does to this day. Reams said she “always has it blasting in the car-usually Eric Clapton or one of my CDs.”
With a firmly instilled love of music, Reams graduated from West Milford High School in 1999, and enrolled in the County College of Morris (CCM) where he received his associates degree in classical performance. He then attended William Paterson University where he focused his studies on music education. Reams reflected on his career thus far.
“I have had a pretty unique career. I actually started teaching guitar while still in high school. After I graduated, I continued teaching out of my home.” Reams said the number of students he was teaching soon grew to the point where he needed to move into a commercial location, so he rented a small space above the Valley View Pub. He commented that in the more than 10 years since the move, “that space and my business have continued to morph and grow at a steady rate.”
Reams has now personally taught over 30,000 lessons, and his favorite moments as an instructor have been watching his students grow.
“I have had some students for almost 10 years," he recalled. "It is amazing to watch them blossom from a child into an adult. It blows my mind.”
While Reams credits his family and friends for being his biggest inspiration and support system, he said his customers play a big role in that too.
“Believe it or not, our clients and students are very inspiring and their support is beyond amazing.”
Holiday specials
North Jersey Guitar offers many services in the West Milford community such as lessons for most instruments, instrument sales, school band rentals, instrument repairs, custom built guitars, music recording and much more. “This time of year we have some great specials - acoustic guitar packs for $99, electric guitar packs $179, great lesson promotions, and free trial lessons,” Reams said. They also sell gift certificates this time of year available in any amount, and the certificates can be used for lessons, services, or merchandise.
For more information about North Jersey Guitar, go to the Web site www.northjerseyguitar.com or Facebook at www.facebook.com/northjerseyguitar.
Reams can be reached at 973-728-7200 and by email at northjerseyguitar@gmail.com.