Local Business Owner Profile: Ed Hamrick of Atlanta Pro Percussion

Thanks to Smyrna-Vinings Patch, I will try to periodically feature a local business owner in this spot. Smyrna has a great small business community and it should be recognized. So Smyrna, meet Ed Hamrick. Ed is the owner of , which was established here in Smyrna 33 years ago in 1978.

Ed was born in Marietta, graduated from Marietta High School and received his Industrial Management degree from Georgia Tech. When Ed was a young boy he saw the Beatles perform live on The Ed Sullivan show and his life changed. Ed knew he wanted to become a drummer and learned to play the drums.

After graduating from Tech, Ed wanted to be his own boss so he became an entrepreneur. His first shop was located near where the Village on the Green is today. In 1983 he relocated to his current location at 2520 Spring Road. Bands quickly came to know Ed and many big acts that played in Atlanta would travel to Smyrna to purchase equipment from him. Many times, the bands would leave backstage passes for him - one of the many perks of the business. 

Now Ed is doing the entertaining on stage. He plays the drums for a blues band called West Side Blues Band.  On weekends he plays at Roswell’s Spice Is Right restaurant and he also plays in Woodstock. I asked Ed if he had ever performed in Smyrna and he said the opportunity never came up. 

I think Ed’s band should have their first Smyrna debut at Taylor-Brawner Park in the rental hall. The city should start hosting a summer concert series featuring blues and chamber music. The bands could perform inside and speakers could be brought outside so people could bring their picnic baskets and eat, drink, dance and meander in and out of the building. I ask that if citizens of Smyrna like this idea, they should let the City of Smyrna and its Ward 6 councilman, Mr. Wade Lnenicka, know by leaving your comments here at Smyrna-Vinings Patch.    

I hope you enjoyed meeting Ed Hamrick and will visit his store if you are a drummer or want to become a percussionist. I enjoyed interviewing him, learning about his life and I thank him for the interview.

Smyrna-based RaceTrac Petroleum Inc., wants to build a 6,500 square-foot mega gas store in the two lots in front of Ed’s drum store. This development would block his storefront from passing cars on Spring Road. The Smyrna Panning & Zoning Board will meet on June 13 at 6 p.m. to discuss this matter and I encourage all citizens of Smyrna to come to the zoning meeting and say “NO, RACETRAC on SPRING ROAD.” Ed’s drum store has been here for 33 years. He needs our support on June 13.