NELSONVILLE — Just outside Nelsonville, on the once bustling highway swallowed up by progress, lies a hidden gem. Set your GPS and take this short, summer drive through lush green trees and lonely asphalt to 17616 Haydenville Road. Insea Sound Shop is a must see experience for every musician.
The Sound Shop has everything a musician could possibly want.
If you are looking for guitar lessons, instrument repair, accessories, recording studio, live music, or a new guitar this is the place to be. The “vibe” is as undeniably genuine as the vintage guitars displayed on the walls. It is like being transported back in time to an era where rock 'n roll is alive and well, even kicking and screaming. It is a place unlike any other. This is a haven for every musician.
Established by its owner, Nick Collura in 1993, the Sound Shop will soon celebrate its 32nd year in business. It started in his garage as a way to continue doing what he loves, which is playing music.
Collura has kept his focus on vintage gear and embracing local life and music. Staying true to his humble beginnings, hundreds of pictures of bands and local musicians adorn the walls. There is a sense of community that doesn’t exist in a chain store, and it is on display for anyone who enters.
Insea Sound Shop is a fully functional recording studio. As chief recording engineer, Collura has had the opportunity to record over 1,000 bands and solo musicians. At one time his shop was home to the “Blue Room Sessions” which hosted private shows for around 30 people. These shows featured very talented musicians in an intimate setting with their audience. Bringing local, live music to the community has always been important to Collura. The Athens, Nelsonville, Pomeroy and Logan areas of Southeastern Ohio have always had a vibrant music scene. It exists in the small bars, juke joints, venues and festivals.
In 1999, Collura started an annual event for local musicians. The Diamond Music Festival, named for “The Little Burg” where the sound shop is located, is an annual event held the last full weekend of July. It showcases music from central and southeast Ohio.
The first ever Diamond Festival was held at his Nelsonville music business until 2002. As attendance grew to several hundred, the festival was moved to its present location, the Izaak Walton Clubhouse, located on Blosser Road in Logan Ohio, on Lake Logan.
Now in its 25th year, the two-day festival embraces all genres of original music. It is a family friendly event that offers primitive tent camping, food, arts and craft vendors, and breathtaking views of the lake. The cost is $10 each day which is paid at the gate; kids under 12 are free.
The event happens rain or shine, and over the years has seen its share of both, so plan accordingly.
This year, the 25th Annual Diamond Festival is taking place on July 26-27.
Collura has been playing music in bands since before 1993. One of his current bands, “Without Papers” is in its 25th year. The line-up may have changed over time but the music has remained a constant stream of original rock and righteous cover songs. The current members are Nick Collura, guitar/vocals; Jerry Boyer, drums/vocals; Grant Volquardsen, bass; and Jerry Wood,keyboard/vocals.
Without Papers will close out the festival on Saturday night.
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