When that room got too packed to move, jammers repaired to the front porch and kept picking.

Making the most of the day, one young man took the opportunity to try out a banjo. Judging by his reaction, he’s going to be a top notch picker!

Vernon gave away a number of doorprizes as part of his celebration. Vernon is holding the ticket container. The gentleman in the red shirt won a dreadnought size Corbin guitar; the four folks next to Vernon in the back row each won an Appalachian Grass CD. The lady out front in the turquoise shirt won a soprano ukulele.

The day’s celebration closed with a concert by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. It was a good day all around!

Grand Opening activities start at noon and include:

• door prize drawings for free instruments
• a signup sheet to choose what instrument you want to try in a free lesson
• special discount prices on all store merchandise
• snacks and jamming
• 3pm concert by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass (bring a lawn chair)

Famous Old Time Music Company has a long and colorful history.  In the early 1980s, Vernon McIntyre, Cincinnati’s acknowledged bluegrass guru purchased Famous Old Time Music Company, a local Cincinnati hangout for bluegrass fans and musicians.  Under his leadership, the business grew from a hole-in-the wall storefront to fill a 7500 square foot facility.  The enterprise became a multi-faceted endeavor with an extensive inventory of acoustic and electric instruments, accessories, lessons, books, and recordings.  The large on-site workshop handled repairs ranging from simple string changes to complete restoration of vintage instruments.  In addition to offering periodic Masterclasses, the business hosted weekly jam sessions, frequent concerts, and an annual outdoor festival.

Early in the first decade of the 2000’s, Vernon expanded Famous Old Time Music Company into a large facility in Wapakoneta, OH.  His timing could not have been worse.  The mid-decade rise in fuel prices, the contracting economy, and rising unemployment figures made long-term success of the venture untenable.  As a result, he closed the retail front in 2013 and has bided his time while keeping Famous Old Time Music alive as a lesson and repair studio and by continuing to perform with Appalachian Grass. 

Vernon is now done with biding his time and has seized the opportunity to open a new retail front for Famous Old Time Music Company.  He chose the busy intersection of Rte 27 and Rte 129 for his new endeavor, in the same building with the well-known Millville Restaurant.  Join us August 31 in celebrating the Grand Opening of Butler County’s only Bluegrass Specialty Shop – Famous Old Time Music Company, 1196 Ross Millville Rd, Hamilton, OH  45013.