Wings guitarist awes onlookers at music store

The guitarist from Paul McCartney and Wings, Laurence Juber, appeared Saturday at Maytan Music Center for a guitar clinic and afterwards played four songs on the music store's stage.

"He's an extraordinary guitarist," said Carolyn Gates, who co-manages the store at 911 Topsy Lane in the Carson Valley Plaza in North Douglas County. "When he plays it's almost like a full instrumental sound."

Gates, who is a drummer, said they had a "really large turnout" for the guitar clinic.

Maytan moved to the 10,000-square-foot building in March 2005 from a Carson City location where it had been for 40 years. The new store is four times as large, holds many more instruments and features lesson rooms and a stage that can accommodate a 12-piece band. A large mezzanine upstairs, now used for displaying audio and recording equipment, will eventually provide space for more lesson rooms.

Gates and her husband and co-manager, Vince Gates, are creating a database for those seeking to be in a band or looking for band members.

They plan to periodically hold events and clinics at the store. Maytan Music Center, 777 S. Center in Reno, will feature Curt Mitchell, international guitar instructor and creator of the Learn to Burn instructional CDs and DVDs, 3 p.m. April 22 for International Guitar Month. For information, call 323-5443 or visit www.maytan.com