Get to know our owners

Joey Gipson started playing music at 6 years old with his dad playing country music on the electric bass, then at 7 started playing the upright bass with his grandparents who were die-hard bluegrassers. At 10 he picked up a banjo taught by his grandfather. He has won 24 state championships and 3 national top-3 finishes and counting. He had an opportunity to open a store in early 2026 and Stone Fort Music was born.

Joey is known for an energetic picking style and deep roots in traditional bluegrass, blending Scruggs-style three-finger technique with progressive newgrass. He is also a mentor — through workshops, jam sessions, and lessons here in the shop.

Michael Klug has been active in the old-time and fiddle contest scene around Middle Tennessee and the Southeast for years. He teaches fiddle and clawhammer banjo and plays with the old-time stringband The Stones River Reelers. Together with Joey he opened Stone Fort Music in downtown Manchester so local players would have a place for instruments, accessories, lessons, and community.