Meet Ann Wood | Musician, entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ann Wood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ann, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Creativity combined with a “can do” attitude.

Ever since I was an exchange student in Japan I learned that trying hard things is the reward.

Then as a young punk musician, I started a band before learning to play, started a magazine to cover the art & music, and started a art gallery/ club to showcase artists. I never wait for permission or recognition. I believe in making things happen.

We don’t have a singer. Oh well? We’ll start an instrumental band. And now an instrumental music festival 35 years later.

Then, opening a used music store with my partner Jeff Perkins, not knowing anything about business. Although it was not easy. We succeeded despite adversity. When 9-11 happened or the Great Recession OR Covid. I got up everyday and figured out a way forward. My love for music and art is the foundation of everything I do. As a business owner and now a festival creator my support and appreciation for artists and musicians has been the thread of my success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My first band, Art Sluts was in 1984. As a feminist punk band (perhaps the first!) we challenged social norms and sung about controversial taboo subjects. Although the group was short lived it had an impact in my mid-west community and my life. I was hooked on music and playing guitar after that experience.

In 1990, I dramatically switched paths and started an instrumental band in Atlanta with Jeff (DEW and later PerkinsWood). I wanted to explore how to express emotion by manipulating sounds using effects. Like how Jimi Hendrix played, with his whole body and there was no mistaking his powerful communication.

By 1997, it was clear that instrumental music was not going to provide a living.

Jeff and I took a leap of faith and opened Music Go Round. It was the hardest thing ever…to learn quickly from mistakes and pivot before we ran out of money. Eventually, our store grew and became known as the only place to buy, sell and trade used instruments.

We moved from Lilburn to a larger store in Duluth in 2017. This move cemented our success in Atlanta. Being located off I-85 brought touring musicians and Atlanta bands and producers to our store. We had arrived!

When Covid hit. I woke everyday nauseous. I was responsible for saving our business and preventing my family and my staff from dying!

Thankfully, we took precautions and all made it through. Because of the shipping issues and shortages, being an all Used Gear store suddenly had a huge advantage. We buy from the community and sell or trade back to the community. So we were always stocked up.

After saving our business and experiencing the death of my dog, my Dad and my brother. We decided it was time to hire managers and LIVE.

This is when, in winter 2020 I thought, hey, why is there NOT an instrumental music festival. No Words ATL was born! Every musician, business, and writer was drawn to the concept of a music festival that communicates directly with the listener. Creating a really magical experience.

The first year was 5 performers in one venue. Last year was 13 performers in 1 day at 5 stages. All staggered times so you could see all performances. This year, NoWordsATL3.0 is 3 days (Oct 11-13) featuring 7 venues, 20+ performers.
I am so honored to host this event along with sponsors: Music Go Round, Criminal Records and Georgian Terrace.

Finally, in 2023 I drove cross country by my self for 30 days, 6,500 miles in 17 states. And this year I spent 2 weeks in Japan to come full circle to the beginning of my first adventure in Japan in 1977.

Whew….that was a mouthful!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
#1 the Fox Theater and walking the entire mid-town mile. The High Museum, Piedmont Park, The Botanical Gardens. We are fortunate to have an apartment on Peachtree. I love to walk all the streets and end up having a delicious meal at a new restaurant.

#2 Little Five Points. Just to wander, hang out. Shop the vintage stores and get a slice of pizza.

#3 The Plaza theater. See any show there!

#4 drive to Duluth to eat at one of 100 amazing Korean restaurants and of course see what cool guitars and effects are at Music Go Round.

#5 Camp at Shoal Creek on Lake Lanier and soak in the nature. Especially in the winter when the crowds disappear.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My partner Jeff Perkins. We collaborated musically, artistically and in business. We both share an audacious “make it happen” attitude in life.

Website: https://Nowordsatl.com

Instagram: Nowordsatl

Facebook: Annwoody

Other: https://www.musicgoround.com/locations/duluth-ga

PerkinsWood.com

Image Credits
Matt Treager