more on Steven cooper

We [Cooper’s band] get all of our stuff from Charley’s; they’re really good about fixing our broken amps or busted strings on the spot. The shop is pretty family-friendly, too. I grew up here. I’ve gotten the chance to meet a lot of great people from all over the world.

WhaT Was IT lIke groWIng up In The shop?

Well, I started hanging out at the shop when I was 12, and after a while, they decided to put me to work. I loved playing guitars, and being in the shop gave me the opportunity to be around and learn from a lot of powerful male influences. I have sisters, and the guys in the shop are like the brothers that I didn’t have. They kept me straight going. They’d cut me down if I got a little bit too big for myself.

any CelebrITIes Come Through?

Charley had a very strong relationship with [the late blues guitarist] stevie ray Vaughan. he actually fixed most of Vaughan’s guitars when it was needed, and stevie thanked him by naming the white stratocaster that Charley made for him out of spare parts “Charley”. a lot of our customers are Vaughan fans making the pilgrimage to all the old haunts. John mayer has come in to hang out before, and so has billie Joe armstrong of green Day. members of bluegrass band favorite Cadillac sky have come in a couple of times, as well as local blues legend lance lopez.

any one CelebrIT y affeCT you mosT?

[Country music singer-songwriter] ray Wiley hubbard. We see him a lot when he’s off tour. he’s helped me out with songwriting for the band — he keeps an eye out for younger musicians.

any aDVICe on ChoosIng a guITar?