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Drum & Strum

Drum & Strum Music Center, located in the heart of historic Old Town Warrenton, VA, has been enriching lives through music since opening our doors in 1990.  Known for our friendly, knowledgeable, professional staff—Drum & Strum has helped make great music with private music lessons, instrument sales, repairs and tuning, school instrument rentals, clinics and camps, and concerts.

An integral, iconic part of the small-town business community, Drum & Strum has been providing myriad of students and music lovers of all ages with the joy of music.

Drum & Strum has become a household name that is associated with a friendly, highly qualified staff and exceptional music instruction.  We are honored to serve as a launching pad for many careers in the music industry that span the globe and provide a musical heritage for generations to come.

When you visit Drum & Strum, you will take a step back in time to the days when independent music stores were a place where you felt at home and dealt with people you could trust. Take a step away from over-produced and mass marketed items and visit Drum & Strum.

You will find service you can depend on, the finest music instructors available today, help and direction for all of your musical needs, friendly, knowledgeable staff, and the guarantee you’ll always be greeted with a smile every time you walk through our door.

We look forward to seeing you at Drum & Strum Music Center soon!

Tim Dingus

Founder and Owner

Derek Phillips

Store Manager

Haley Verrilli

Lesson Coordinator

Biscuit

The Boss, Lounge Specialist, and Paper Ball Fanatic

Our History

In 1988 Drum & Strum owner Tim Dingus received the gift any 16-year old boy would love—a 1972 tobacco sunburst Gibson Les Paul guitar. He didn’t have any idea how to play it, but would soon dive into a musical journey that would remain with him his entire life.  “Here’s the deal,” said then 21-year old sister Cheryl who bought the guitar from their cousin Rick. “I don’t think I want to play guitar, I like the drums. If you can learn to play it, I’ll get some drums and we’ll start a band.” A few short years and many music lessons later—a newspaper ad was placed to complete the puzzle. A promising phone call came from Bobby Hawkins from Woodbridge, Virginia.  He would audition to become the missing link on bass guitar and vocals. Blue Revolution was born. 

The only person more excited than any of the band members was Tim and Cheryl’s Mom Gloria Dingus. Soon she had them writing and recording their own songs, taking them to see their mentors perform everywhere from big arenas to small clubs, setting up shows, and proudly acting on their behalf as band manager. With a quick following and local popularity the music quickly consumed everyone.

Performing everywhere from field parties to clubs all over the Metropolitan D.C. area—Blue Revolution was quickly gaining momentum. Gloria wanted to give Tim and Cheryl every opportunity to continue to follow their dreams. She saw the means to live out one of her own dreams as well—to start her own business. With three music-crazed employees, the support from husband Gary, and the entire family behind her, this was her chance. “What do you all think about starting a music store?” she said half-jokingly one day. Everyone quickly responded with an enthusiastic “YES!” and a few months later Drum & Strum Music Center was born.

The mother and son team of Gloria and Tim ran the business together and father Gary helped with remodeling lesson studios, building a new stage, and more. Cheryl and husband Bobby left the family business and started a family of five budding musicians who take lessons at Drum & Strum today.

 

After her long and determined battle with cancer, Gloria sadly passed away on September 19, 2012. Her legacy of enriching lives through quality music lessons, instrument repairs, merchandise, and old-fashioned good advice lives on through the oldest and only music boutique in the Fauquier County area.

Now managed by Tim and his wife Beth, Drum & Strum continues to be driven by Gloria’s legacy and Tim’s passion for integrity and endless support of musicians near and far. The stage at Drum & Strum once again has a home, nestled against the wall in the front show room, not far from the footprint of the original stage that has echoed the music of legendary greats such as John Hartford and Mike Auldridge to name only a few. The room now resounds once again every month with select featured artists from around the world—providing whoever is lucky enough to get a seat that night with an opportunity to see world-class and often world-famous entertainers in a setting as intimate as their own living room.
  • Store Hours
    Mon-Thur: 11 AM – 8 PM
    Fri-Sat: 11 AM – 6 PM
    Sun: Closed