Keegan Harshman, the Owner/Manager of Blue Sound Music, says: “What makes Blue Sound Music unique is its familiarity with its community and mission to grow and find new ways to support the musical needs of our neighbors. We want to open doors and find ways to support music-making for all ages.
The doors have just opened at the new Blue Sound Music location at 1694 East Main Street, Freeland. The new store is next door to the Whidbey Island School of Music and Dance. Keegan notes: “We feel we are more centrally located and accessible for all.” He adds: We created Blue Sound Music to fill a void that was left when the beloved Joe’s Island Music closed their doors in Langley.
Blue Sound Music provides a wide range of support to the local music community including retail and rentals - guitars, basses, drums, ukuleles, other strings, woodwinds, brass winds, orchestral strings, percussion, events and much more! If they don’t have it, they can special order it!
Keegan Harshman grew up on Whidbey Island participating in the music programs of Chris Harshman (his father and former SWHS band director). His family moved to Whidbey Island after making several visits. Keegan notes: “It quickly became clear, we had discovered a lovely community, full of deeply caring and creative people. “
As Keegan speaks of his childhood on Whidbey, he mentions his aspirations to support the local music and arts community. He says “I have three main goals: To support our amazing local talent; provide resources for the local music community and culture; and most importantly, support music education in any way possible. We provide quality student rentals on a rent-to-own basis for any music student and resources for anybody who is interested in music”
As a young child, Keegan was encouraged and supported to pursue any musical direction that caught his interest, which is something he plans to pass on to his son, Jazper. Keegan began playing instruments in kindergarten and played several different ones before settling on the bass. His parents have a philosophy that “Children should be able to explore as many instruments as possible, and then choose whatever instrument resonates with them the most”.
After being away for a few years, Keegan returned to Whidbey to raise his son Jazzy. He also brought his passion to create an outlet for sales of instruments and other music essentials, as well as a space for community members, tourists, and local artists to connect and participate in the music scene on Whidbey Island.
“Keegan and his bass are well known on the island. He has played with many local bands and musicians including Doctor Savage, Nathaniel Talbot, Janie Cribbs and the T.Rust Band, Hot Club of Troy, South Whidbey Jazz Residency, Poser, Saratoga Orchestra, Nancy Nolan, Piper and the Planets, and many more.”
He is also the founder of LittleBiGFest Music and Arts Festival, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit who’s mission is to support local and regional artists and provide scholarship opportunities for the next generation of artists by creating community events.
Current store hours for Blue Sound Music are:
Wednesday & Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Closed Monday & Tuesday
For current information, check out the website: https://www.bluesoundmusic.com/ or the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bluesoundmusic/. During regular store hours, you can call Keegan at the store: 360-632-2289.
