Musician Stuart Smith to play in-store show at Pizza Records

Musicians and record stores long have had a symbiotic relationship — makers and sellers of music.It’s no different for longtime Winchester-based musician Stuart Smith and Pizza

Records, which recently opened a storefront at Gillham House on West State Street. “I love independent record stores,” Smith said. “I could spend an entire day in one and

just get lost. There’s something independent record stores still bring, a sense of community and discovery, finding something new, hearing about new artists. “Anytime I can

work with one, I’m always happy to do it. It gives me a chance to look through the vinyl, too.” Smith will get his chance Thursday, when he’s set to have an in-store

performance at Pizza Records from 6 to 8 p.m. as part of Gillham House’s Social at Gillham House, which will run from 4 to 8:30 p.m. “We just decided it was time that

Jacksonville had a venue for live music and all-ages shows, something other than the bar scene — nothing against that,” said Heather Smock, who owns Pizza Records with her

husband, Devin Smock.  The Smocks were talking with Gillham House owner Colleen Flinn, who has created a lounge area at the back of the building so people can relax while

shopping, Heather Smock said. “We were talking to Colleen about wanting to get live music in here,” she said. “As a business owner, she likes having events.” The plan is to

have a social on the third Thursday of each month, during which all of the shops in Gillham House will be open. The Smocks have some plans of their own. “Pizza Records, on our

own, will host open-mic nights,” Heather Smock said. “Casual, not-official events where people can come in and try out their music. We might host Friday or Saturday night

things later on, as musicians come to us with interest.” For now, they’re starting by inviting Smith to kick off the shop’s in-store concerts. “Stuart … he just has that

right vibe,” Heather Smock said. “He has that good folky kinda blues sound to his music. We’ve known Stuart for years and he seemed like a good first choice.” Smith was

happy to be asked, saying he expects to perform a relaxed acoustic set. “I’m excited because I don’t get to play in Jacksonville very often,” he said. “Last fall, I did a

long U.S. and Canada tour. … But I don’t get to play near where I live very often.” Smith’s music is available on vinyl — and will be for sale Thursday at Pizza Records

— and on various digital music platforms. One such platform showed people in 106 countries listened to his music in 2022.  A single, “We Will Disappear,”  from an album he