Rock Shop owner Shawn Adkins has always been about the music scene. In fact, before he opened the Rock Shop he was throwing huge parties in his yard — complete with an outdoor stage — and showcasing local bands from there. One day, a friend put an idea into his head.

“Dave Johnson of Huske Hardware at the time said ‘Hey, if you owned a bar you would do re-ally well.’ So I said ‘When do you want to go in 50/50 on it? Let’s do it!” and the next day we were look-ing at the old John Jays building.”

About six months later Adkins bought him out and has been the sole proprietor ever since. That was in December 2006.

Since then, the Rock Shop has flourished and become an integral part of the Fayetteville music scene, hosting local talent and winning several people’s choice awards, including Up & Coming Weekly’s Best of Fayetteville awards in 11 categories including Best Live Music Venue and Best Live Music Club.

In just a little more than three years the Rock Shop has out-grown its Eastern Boulevard. location and is looking to relocate and upgrade to its new home. On April 2, just across the street from its current home, The Rock Shop will open the doors at 128 S. King St., in the former Kings Billiards building.

With two bars, a full kitchen and two stages, Adkins in anticipating a lot of activity and good times for both customers and performers.

“We’ll be open everyday,” said Adkins. “We’ve got six pool tables ... all the art that was in The Rock Shop will be here and we have new artists com-ing in to do murals. We’re gonna do all kinds of stuff from country to rock to plays to wrestling — it is going to be sort of like an event center.”

Adkins is anticipating more national bands on the playlist in addition to the local talent that he currently books. A strong supporter of home-grown talent, he is seeking to fill a gap in the Fayetteville music scene, and believes that now is the time to do it.

“All my friends had to go out of town to see their favorite bands. Now I get a chance to bring it in,” said Adkins, noting that supporting area musi-cians is still a priority as well. “I’ll never not have local bands. The local bands are very important to me. I’ve always been about the music scene. I don’t plan on selling out. I think they deserve a place they can have a lot more fun, buf-fer crowds, play with the nationals they want.”

Opening night will feature The Fifth,Nephilym, Rookie of the Year, Dark Water Rising, Sir Ben Marx, Paddy & Bill and Playing With Guns. Adkins is ready to show his customers a good time and is anticipating a big crowd.

“These are really good local bands,” Adkins said. “There are a lot of people who are ready for this.”

You can find more info at http://www.facebook.com/therock-shoplive or http://www.myspace.com/therockshoplive.