Since 2007, Weed Patch Music Company has served as Brown County’s only full-service music store, still thriving in its original location just off Main Street in the alley on Old School Way!

Our story

Brown County, Indiana is a musician’s paradise just down the road from Bill Monroe’s Music Park & Campground in Bean Blossom, Indiana, and home to several amazing luthiers and incredible musicians. This is the type of community that really benefits from its local music shop. This is why when Kara Barnard heard of the closing of Mountain Made Music (the original music store in Nashville, IN by local luthier Bill Berg) in 2006, she knew she had to do something. Kara joined forces with local banjo builder Jeffrey Russell in 2007 to start Weed Patch Music Company, still in its current location directly east of the courthouse in downtown Nashville, Indiana. These two worked together for several years to provide a hub for both local musicians and tourists alike before Kara parted ways in 2012 to pursue other interests. In 2016, when Jeff himself was ready to pursue other things, Kara knew she couldn’t let this opportunity pass her by. It was then that Kara contacted former student and friend, Kristin Thompson, and the two women decided to revive Weed Patch Music Company under new ownership. With Kara’s guidance, Kristin was able to grow the shop and improve upon what was already created.

Though Kara left Weed Patch in 2020, Kristin has continued sole ownership and management of Weed Patch with a highly dedicated and enthusiastic team of employees. Since 2020, the shop has expanded its physical location into the shop next door and is now over twice as big! Regular private lessons, instrument workshops, luthier talks and demonstrations, in-store concerts, and more are now a regular part of life at the shop!

Though Weed Patch Music Company has experienced several changes over the years, a few things have always remained the same - the dedication to providing affordable instruments to inspire and encourage the beginner, the passion for promoting local luthiers and showcasing handcrafted beauties to awe the professional, and the goal to remain a unique destination in Brown County for musicians and music lovers alike.