Chieftain Records a place to hang out, make music

Friday nights may never been the same in Shiprock, now that Frank Smith has his music store open.

"We have open mic every other Friday night," he said about the newest music store in Shiprock, Chieftain Track Records - Music Store n Studio. He added the next open microphone night is scheduled for Friday, July 23.

Though the old white building next to Bond and Bond True Value Hardware may appear dilapidated from the outside, Smith - with the help of his family - has turned the inside into a venue that not only sells musical instruments, equipment and CDs, but for a fee, offers recording facilities as well.

"We welcome all musicians, man. Anybody that wants to come in, they're welcome," Smith said, adding that though he sells guitars, amps and other equipment, he welcomes other musicians and their music as well.

He sells music equipment on consignment for some clients, and said he welcomes other musicians to consign or sell their music gear to Chieftain Track Records.

He noted that he is open to the selling powwow drums, hand drums, kettledrums, and other items commonly used in powwows and in Native American Church meetings.

Smith and his son Tritt, 20, have tried to create an environment where visitors want to hang out. To that end, they have a seating area with two couches and a coffee table near the front door, and they stay open late. The wall is covered in old record album covers, mostly of bands from the '70s.

"Come in and sit around and kick back, I don't complain as long as they pick up their trash," Frank said.

As for Tritt, the comfort has extended to taking up residency at the store.

"Right now, he is my insurance," Frank said.

Tritt has been staying there since April, though the store didn't open until the beginning of June.

"I just like to live here because I have to watch the place. I keep an eye on it so no one breaks in," he said.

Tritt said at first he noticed the traffic noise through the night on nearby U.S. 491.

"I got used to it. Other than that, sleeping like a baby," he said.

Tritt said most of his time at the store is spent in the recording studio and there are plans to open a second studio to record vocal tracks.

Frank knocked on the concrete walls and explained that he liked the walls for their ability to contain sound in the rooms. He also has installed soundproof windows for the two studios, one of which is still under construction.

Frank said he financed all start-up costs out of his own pocket.

"I'm broke" he joked, adding that he works a full-time job.

Nonetheless, Frank's pleased with business so far.

"It's going pretty good. What do you expect? Barely opening up probably, as time goes along things will probably start picking up," he said.

Though music is the centerpiece of his business model, Frank said he recently bought some arts and crafts items.

"I just want to help people out," he said, and offered an open invitation to groups and artists to stop by with some of their CDs for him to stock.

Frank also extends an invitation to bands that want free exposure to come and play in front of his store, which happens regularly on weekends, he said.

But when it comes down to it, the business is for Frank's children, especially Tritt.

"Actually, I really wanted for them to take over the business," Frank said, adding that Tritt is the one who enjoys music the most.

"I really did it because of him and he's all into the music," he said.

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