Schoharie Countys Businesses Backstreet Music Shop The Heartbeat of Cobleskills Music Scene

COBLESKILL — Nestled in the heart of Cobleskill, Backstreet Music Shop isn’t just a store—it’s a haven for musicians, collectors, and dreamers. Owned and passionately run by Larry Mazza, the shop has been a staple of the town’s cultural landscape for decades, offering not just instruments, but inspiration and community.

Larry Mazza is an enthusiastic entrepreneur with a deep love for music. With just $750 in savings, he started this business 38 years ago in Cobleskill. He understands that a music shop is more than just a place to buy instruments—it’s a space where creativity thrives and music lovers connect. It receives visitors from as far away as a few hours' drive, and even from New York City.

Stepping into Backstreet Music Shop, visitors are immersed in warmth and nostalgia. Rows of guitars, violins, mandolins, ukuleles, pianos, and more—both new and vintage—fill the shop, totaling perhaps a thousand items. Shelves stocked with vinyl records, accessories, and gear invite exploration. But this shop is about more than just selling products; it’s about fostering connections. You’ll always meet friendly people here. Larry takes the time to get to know each customer, offering tailored advice, repair services, and even impromptu jam sessions.

Beyond retail, Backstreet Music Shop plays a pivotal role in the local music scene. Larry is the guitarist in Rubber Band, a well-known group in the area. But his impact extends beyond music—he is also a welcoming presence in Cobleskill’s community. When I moved to town from Virginia for a teaching position at SUNY Cobleskill, I searched for a place to buy musical instruments. That’s when I met Larry, and he quickly became my first friend in town. His enthusiasm and deep knowledge made me feel at home. Our conversations even inspired me to write a book about entrepreneurship in Schoharie County, with Larry as the first entrepreneur I interviewed.

The success of Backstreet Music Shop is a testament to Larry’s entrepreneurial spirit. It’s not just a place to buy and repair instruments—it’s also a place to learn. Larry offers music lessons in guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, piano, drums, and banjo, helping musicians of all levels hone their craft. For Larry, running Backstreet Music Shop isn’t just about business—it’s about making a difference. His passion inspires young musicians and reminds seasoned players why they fell in love with music. His shop stands as a symbol of passion-driven entrepreneurship, proving that when business and art merge, something special happens.

So, whether you’re a musician, collector, or music lover, Backstreet Music Shop is the place to be. And at the heart of it all is Larry Mazza, a man who turned passion into a thriving business, making Cobleskill a little more musical. 🎶

Want to be featured? Email Dr. Son Tran at tran.luong.son@gmail.com.