The 5th String Music Store, located at the intersection of J and Alhambra, is at the crux of the local music scene in Sacramento. Started in 1982, the store has been the home of rare and quality acoustic instruments for decades. These include mandolins, banjos, guitars, fiddles, and ukuleles. Two Oscar Schmidt Autoharps hang adornedly near the banjos, both new and antique. Guitars include Martins, Taylors and a few rare brands. The most popular item is the Blueridge Guitar. "Blueridge, although not as long on the market as Taylor or Martin, has proven to be a quality, affordable guitar-maker, making it a valuable option for beginners." noted Stephen Ward, the store's clerk. Stephen has worked at the 5th String for five years; he is classically trained but prefers playing chops with his local metal band, Legions Requiem. In the corner, next to the door, lies a laborious pair of instruments, the only two in the house and neither for sale. One of the vintage double basses is a 1950 Gibson and the other, a 1951 Kay. Besides offering high quality instruments from a variety of brands, the 5th String is a bustling hub for students, teachers, walk-in's, and musicians of all kinds. The store offers lessons from eight teachers all of whom display immense knowledge and diverse experience in their field. Group lessons on guitar are offered as well as individual lessons on violin, mandolin, bass, and guitar. Every Thursday night, the store hosts an open bluegrass jam from 7-10pm, all are welcome.

The owner, John Green, is an enigmatic and accomplished man. According to John, the 5th String is all about "people's music," he said, "You don't have to be a professional player to come to the store and be part of what's going on." Nevertheless, John has high standards for his music business and it shows in quality performance and practice. When it comes to working with other local businesses in the industry, it is clear that support is a given. Green is a great fan of The Beat, Sacramento's independent record store, and venues such as Blue Lamp and Fox and Goose. Green has brought quality national acts to the Sacramento area for years by working with local venues. Furthermore, he was made a lifetime member of the California Bluegrass Association for his continual support and promotion of the scene. Green is also a certified public accountant and provides tax services to area musicians. The store and his services are a big asset to Sacramento.

Periodically, the 5th String hosts performances throughout the year. I had the privilege of seeing the most recent show held on May 11th. The event featured a virtuosic autoharpist and folk musician, Bryan Bowers. Bowers has been playing for more than forty years since his upbringing in Yorktown, Virginia. His list of accomplishments are long and astounding. In 1993, Bowers was inducted into the Autoharp Hall of Fame, making him the fourth inductee alongside Mother Maybelle Carter, Kilby Snow, and Sara Carter. Bowers relocated to Seattle in the 1970s and currently resides in Northwestern Washington. The show began around 7:30pm with a small but attentive audience. The opening song was played on the mendocello, a guitar-sized instrument with mandolin strings and cello tuning. It was a booming and profound version of Van Morrison's "These Are The Days." The rest of the set was a satisfying mix of folk music, traditionals and spirituals, and storytelling. Mid-set, Bowers prefaced the traditional "Bristle Cone Pine" with a story about visiting the Methusala Tree in Northern Washington, the oldest bristle cone pine in the forest standing 12,700 feet tall and claiming 5,400 years of age. He confided to the audience, "There is nothing I like more than the feeling of insignificance in the face of something greater than myself." In all honesty, Bowers was a force of nature too and this sentiment reflects what it was like in the face of his latest performance.

Set List:
1)These Are The Days
2)The Swallow
3)Stoytelling: Stan Rogers Story
4)A Place in the Heart
5)Pirates Night Out (original)
6)The Lakes of Poncetrain
7)Old Lovers
8)When I Go
9)Bristle Cone Pine
10)Cluck Old Hen
12)The Rights of Man
13)Little Liza Jane
14)Star of the Country Down
15)Where the Soul of Man Never Dies