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These are just a few of the articles we
thought you might enjoy.
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Rock Bottom Music has been seen in Modern Drummer Magazine, DRUM! Magazine, The Augusta Chronicle, The Aiken Standard, Guitar Player Magazine, Music Trades Magazine, Drum Business Magazine, The Metro Spirit, Stick It Magazine, Harmony Central, Music & Sound Retailer, MMR Magazine, Verge, Lokal Loudness, etc.

Check out this video clip!
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=27762098

Also visit www.kissarmyrules.com

Capitol recording artists
HURT will "Hit Rock Bottom" AGAIN!
We will have a FREE SHOW on May-13-2008 in our Augusta store!
Rock Bottom Music is also selling tickets for the
HURT show at The Red Lion Pub!
Those dates are 5-13-08 & 5-14-08!
HURRY! HURT TICKETS WILL SELL OUT AGAIN!

Don’t miss the Terry Bozzio Drum Clinic LIVE in Augusta, GA (Home of James Brown)! Be sure to tell all your friends!
All ages show on December 13, 2007 at 8:00 PM!

$10.00 per-patron Advanced-Tickets-ONLY and receive a FREE Limited- Edition Terry Bozzio Attack Drumhead (Over a $10.00 value)!

Drumhead/Tickets are ONLY on sale at both Rock Bottom Music Center locations in Augusta, GA and Aiken, SC!

HURRY! Seating is Very Limited!

TerryBozzio.com

Zakk Wylde (Guitarist: Ozzy Osbourne & Black Label Society)
hanging out with the Rock Bottom Music team and our
friends at the 95Rock studio in Augusta, GA
on March 2nd 2007.
Congratulations to the winner of the autographed Zakk
Wylde "Buzz-Saw" Les Paul guitar!
The autographed Zakk Wylde "Bulls-eye" guitar
is currently on display at the Augusta, GA
Rock Bottom Music Center!

Jonathan Karow (Rock Bottom Music Owner) & Zakk Wylde.

Ken Gabriel of Rock Bottom Music & Zakk Wylde.

The 2006 Summer NAMM show in Austin, Texas was a great success. The above photo from left to right is Jonathan Karow, David Ellefson (Megadeth bass-guitar), and the beautiful Jeanie Goodwin from Rock Bottom Music hanging out at the NAMM Trade-Show. The below montage is Jonathan Karow (Drums), Gary Hoey (Guitar), and David Ellefson (Bass-guitar) playing at the world-famous Antone's Club in Austin where artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Buddy Guy have graced the same stage!

Brannon Galloway Aiken, SC Rock Bottom Music
Brannon Galloway
Aiken, SC Store Manager.

Dear Rock Bottom Music,

I've dealt with dozens of drum salesmen all across the country, and Brannon is by far the best I've dealt with. Not only is he a true gentlemen, he is also, by far, the most knowledgeable drum guy I've ever met. It is a pleasure to do business with him.

Thanks-

J Hunter Phillips

Leeds, Alabama

Aiken Standard South Carolina Jonathan Karow & Geronimo

December 6, 2005

Rock Bottom Music Opens New store branch in Aiken

By: Suzanne R. Stone

Staff Writer

Aiken Standard

One of Augusta’s favorite music establishments now has a branch in Aiken.

Rock Bottom Music Center opened the door of its Aiken location on Pine Log Road in the Bi-Lo shopping center Thursday. The store held a grand opening with door prizes and a live remote by Eagle 102.3 FM on Saturday.

“It’s crazy how fast word gets out,” said owner Jonathan Karow. “It’s our first day and we’ve already got customers coming down from Columbia.”

The store carries all kinds of stringed instruments, including acoustic and electric guitars, violins and other classical stringed instruments; a full line of drum and percussion instruments; and instrument cases and accessories. They also sell and install pro audio live and studio sound systems; give lessons and do rentals of classical band instruments for school band students.

“We want to make the local music scene grow,” Karow said. “We advertise the fact that we’ll meet or beat any online, discount or big box store prices. Actually a lot of our success has been based on our employees. We’re all musicians and we’re energetic about helping the local community find great deals and learn music. Everybody at either store will be knowledgeable in any department though they might specialize in one area.”

Most of the store’s stock will be unique to the Aiken store, Karow said, and items rotate between the two locations. The store also grabs up liquidation items as special buys when opportunities come their way, and offer them at clearance prices at the shops.

“Aiken is a beautiful city, a growing city,” Karow said. “Just today I’ve seen customers come in that we haven’t seen in a long time, and when we ask why, they say they liked dealing with us but it was such a trek to get over to Augusta they didn’t do it often. I figured it was now or never. I had the monetary funds I’d been saving to open a new store; the Augusta store’s downstairs was packed to the hilt. I had about 80 percent of the inventory to fill up another store already in storage there.”

Although he will remain involved with the store, Karow will manage the Augusta location and leave Aiken’s day-to-day operations to resident and longtime Rock Bottom employee Brannon Galloway.

For more information about Rock Bottom Music Center visit the shop’s Web site at www.rockbottommusic.com or call the Aiken shop at 649-1919 or the Augusta shop at (706) 724-1172.

Aiken location means move up for Rock Bottom
By Tony Lombardo/ Staff Writer Augusta Chronicle
Photos by Michael Holahan/Staff Augusta Chronicle

Friday, December 2, 2005

Owner Jonathan Karow decided to open the shop so he could bring his products to people who were driving long distances to the Augusta store.

Jason Guy unpacks microphones at Rock Bottom Musics's new Aiken, SC second location.

Rock Bottom Music is steppin' up.

The Augusta-based music instrument store opened a new shop in Aiken this week thanks to increased demand at the store's downtown Augusta location.

"Aiken has really become its own self-contained entity," owner Jonathan Karow said, noting that many customers at his Broad Street store told him they were driving 30 minutes from Aiken to get there.

Though he also considered opening the shop in Evans, Mr. Karow ultimately decided on Aiken because of the long commute musicians have been making to keep supplied with instruments, speakers and accessories.

The 33-year-old Augusta resident created Rock Bottom Music as a Web site in 1998 and opened his first store in 2003. For his second store, he chose a spot behind Blockbuster Video in the Bi-Lo anchored shopping center on Pine Log Road.

The 1,500-square-foot shop will feature name-brand instruments, going-out-of-business items and warehouse overstocks to help keep prices down.

Prices vary. Guitars, for example, cost from $100 to around $2,000, Mr. Karow said.

Mr. Karow developed his knowledge of musical instruments while working at Pintech USA, a drum manufacturer in Greenville, S.C.

Like his Augusta store, the Aiken shop will offer instrument lessons, rentals, and repairs.

Join Our Musical Family!

5-8-2005

Everyone has a bad day from time to time. My times of grief are commonly cured by a kind word from a customer or the excitement of a budding musician.

The phone rang for the first time on Rock Bottom Music’s Grand Opening day a few years ago. It was my Mother on the other end saying “Your Father in an ambulance heading to the hospital”! People were pouring into the new store and all I could do is ask God for strength. My Father had a very close call and is now a cancer survivor.

The first store was tiny but we worked hard for it and we felt blessed to have made it to that point. It took years for me to realize what my intention in life was. I should use my knowledge of musical instruments to help others enjoy the spiritual and creative gifts of music. I should establish the inviting music store environment that my friends and family would want to experience. I could not do this alone.

I now look around both Rock Bottom Music stores and feel blessed at the support we have received from the musicians of our community. It has been a lot of fun but also hard work to get to this point. God has blessed us with both strength and motivation. We have been rewarded with growth in our stores and our musical community.

I would like to thank everyone who works at Rock Bottom Music for keeping the faith and providing customers with sincere service, knowledge, and a true friendship that goes way beyond the cash register.

Thanks to Brannon and Jeanie for the priceless support and friendship over the years and not giving up on what was once only a dream. You are the spine and foundation of Rock Bottom Music.

Thanks to all the friends, families, teachers, churches, instrument suppliers, and other supporters who have made Rock Bottom Music possible.

Praise God for this opportunity to be around some of the most wonderful people on this musical journey through life. I look forward to many more years of providing quality products and service to our growing musical family of local musicians.

Best Wishes,
Jonathan Karow
Owner Rock Bottom Music

Store watch-dog Geronimo (left) & Ryan Dunn (right)!

Jonathan Karow, (Jeanie "Bubbles" shown in background),
Geronimo Karow (puppy), & Ryan Dunn from
the hit comedy TV show and movie "Jackass"!

Ryan purchased a guitar from Rock Bottom Music on his visit!
Jonathan asked him "Are you going to play it or destroy it?"!
Ryan also got a Rock Bottom Music "PBR" T-Shirt!

Rock Bottom Music staff Henry Wynn III, Jeanie "Bubbles",
Jason Guy, & Ryan Dunn from "Jackass".

Guitar Player Magazine August 2005

Mike Varney’s Spotlight

Elliot Holden

Age: 30
Style: Progressive rock, blues, neo-classical
Influences: Eric Johnson, Jeff Beck, Wayne Krantz, Jimi Hendrix
Main Guitar: Fender Stratocaster
Location: Augusta, GA

Background: A guitarist since the age of 14, Holden had a musical epiphany upon seeing the movie Crossroads in 1988. “The guitar solo that [film star] Ralph Macchio played [which was actually performed by Steve Vai] changed my musical tastes forever,” he explains. Hearing Eric Johnson was another ear opener, and Holden began to explore instrumental rock in greater depth.

A guitar teacher at Rock Bottom Music in Augusta, Holden saves the weekends for gigging with his band, the Elliot Holden Group. He has released two CDs independently—We Be Delicious (2002) and Radiance (2005)—selling them at gigs, cdbaby.com, and iTunes.

Holden is a very melodic soloist with great phrasing and technical prowess. With deep roots in Hendrix and Eric Johnson, he is one of the most promising new guitarists to submit a CD to Spotlight this year.

Contact: eh@elliotholden.com

Famed golf club strikes a chord
From the Friday, October 22, 2004 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle

Jonathan Karow & The Washburn Augusta Acoustic Guitar
Jonathan Karow, the owner of Rock Bottom Music on Broad Street, plays one of the Washburn "Augusta" model guitars. He ordered two of the acoustic guitars after he found the model is named after Augusta National Golf Club.
Michael Holahan/Staff Augusta Chronicle

Guitar model named after Augusta National
Friday, October 22, 2004
By James Gallagher | Staff Writer

Augusta's musical notoriety is now more than just being home to James Brown.
Washburn Guitar company has named one of its models the "Augusta," after Augusta National Golf Club.
"It's a renowned place," said Kevin Lello, a Washburn spokesman. "We just wanted a name that kind of has that perception of being higher end."
When contacted, Augusta National had no comment on the guitar.
The dreadnought acoustic guitar is one of the Mundelein, Ill.-based company's higher-end models, with gold hardware, ebony tuners and a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $999.90.
"It's a wonderful guitar," said Jonathan Karow, the owner of Rock Bottom Music on Broad Street.
Mr. Karow said he saw the guitar in Washburn's catalog, which describes the guitar as being manufactured in the "Spirit of the South," and was intrigued by its name.
"I figured they weren't talking about Augusta, Maine," he said.
Mr. Karow inquired about the name and a Washburn representative told him, "We probably have a golfer in the house."
Mr. Karow ordered two, even though the model is significantly more expensive than most of the guitars he normally carries.
The acoustic guitar comes in three styles, and each has the name Augusta emblazoned across the neck.
The Augusta guitars are getting some buzz - customers assume he had the guitars custom made.
"It's nice they didn't put the Augusta name on a cheapie guitar," Mr. Karow said.

Washburn Augusta Acoustic Guitar Rock Bottom Music

The Washburn "Augusta" acoustic guitar, one of the company's higher-end models, comes in three styles and two popular finishes.
Photo: Michael Holahan/Staff

Photo: Michael Holahan/Staff

Sonic Spotlight: Henry Wynn III
From the Thursday, September 9, 2004 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle

Henry Wynn III Teacher at Rock Bottom Music

Fiddler Henry Wynn III teaches guitar, bass, mandolin, and violin at Rock Bottom Music.
Annette M. Drowlette/Staff

AGE (At time of interview): 28

HOMETOWN: Augusta

OCCUPATION: Teaches guitar, bass, mandolin, and violin at Rock Bottom Music

PLAYS: Swiss fiddle from the turn of the previous century. "It's actually my mom's. She let me use it until my other one is fixed; that was seven years ago."

STARTED PLAYING: Age 5, lessons with Suzuki Strings of Augusta. "When I was in kindergarten, I "stole" my friend's violin and told my parents that the teachers had bought them for us. They said 'OK, that doesn't make sense' and they called the school. A year later I started playing."

PLAYED WITH: Josh Pierce Group, early 2004 to present; Hellblinki Sextet, summer 2003 to present; Turtleneck, summer 2003 to present; Shaun Piazza Band, mid-2002 to present; Doug and the Henrys, late 1990s to present; and Wormbelly (in Charleston, S.C.), 1996 to 2001.

FIRST CONCERT ATTENDED: Van Halen with Autograph at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center in 1985

PERSONAL BEST: "I'd say it's a split between the Hellblinki CD release show at the Imperial Theatre on July 16 and the Shaun Piazza release show at The Soul Bar on Aug. 14. We got the best responses ever; Sean sold about 100 CDs, and Andrew (Benjamin) put together such a huge production."

IF HE COULD PERFORM WITH ANY ARTIST: Beck. "I'm just really into his albums. I'm really into his Sea Change album; next week it might be someone else. Or whoever pays the most."

PRESHOW RITUAL: Absolutely none

Compiled by Patrick Verel

Music store moves into bigger home
From the Wednesday, April 21, 2004 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle

Rock Bottom Music has moved from its Eighth Street location to a larger, more visible spot in Broad Street's 800 block.

The music store's quick expansion during its first seven months required more space for displaying inventory. Store owner Jonathan Karow said the new location offers private rooms devoted to music lessons and instrument repair and basement storage.

"This is a music store, not just four walls and instruments," he said.

Store offers alternative for instrument players Friday, October 10, 2003 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle By James Gallagher \| Staff Writer
	Owner and musician Jonathan Karow at his new music store, Rock Bottom Music, on Eighth Street in downtown Augusta. ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/STAFF

Jonathan Karow & Terry Hamill of Aiken, SC
Owner Jonathan Karow (left) talks with customer Terry Hamill, of Aiken SC,
about a guitar at Mr. Karow's new music store, Rock Bottom Music.
ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/STAFF

The wail of electric guitars, the beat of drums and even the hum of harmonicas are common sounds downtown since the opening of Rock Bottom Music at the corner of Eighth and Ellis streets.

Jonathan Karow, who grew up in Augusta, has been selling musical instruments for a few years through eBay and is listed as a "Silver Power Seller," meaning he has sold more than $3,000 in goods per month through the online auction site.

He was so successful that other area music stores sought him out to liquidate slow-moving merchandise and scratch-and-dent items.

Rock Bottom is the next step in his retail evolution.

"I felt it was time to do my own thing and for downtown Augusta to have a music store," Mr. Karow said. "I've done my test markets, but I've never had a storefront before."

Mr. Karow said he chose downtown because it is the heart of Augusta's music scene and because young people hang out at the music clubs.

"The kids are down here almost every night," he said. "And if they've got $100 to $300 to spend on a guitar, I've got it."

Rock Bottom features budget-minded, quality instruments that are mainly liquidation items from warehouse overstocks, going-out-of-business merchandise and manufacturer one-offs.

"Maybe the factory tried a new color to see what it would look like and they thought the blue would sell better," he said.

Selling close-out instruments lets Rock Bottom keep the cost down.

"I think probably my most expensive guitar in here currently is under $400," he said.

Mr. Karow developed his extensive knowledge of musical instruments while working at Pintech USA, a drum manufacturer. While there, he worked with artists such as Reba McIntire, Kid Rock and Poison.

Rock Bottom will cater to musical novices and experts alike by offering music lessons and a place for local musicians to meet, Mr. Karow said.

The store intends to rent musical instruments to band students next fall and hopes to expand its inventory to used and consignment instruments. Mr. Karow said he can special order almost any instrument, including banjos and mandolins.

"I want more and more people to play music," he said. "I think a lot of people are musically talented that don't think they are." - Jonathan Karow, the owner of Rock Bottom Music