Guy Unger and the Fayetteville Music Collective
BY Elaina J. Martin
On Hay Street in Haymount sits an understated spot called the Red Desk Café – the home of the Fayetteville Music Collective. The Collective is comprised of the very talented Guy Unger, his wife Mandy Unger, and Jeff Stone. Guy Unger has been teaching musicians since 1996. He grew up listening to the music his parents loved – ’60s and '70s rock. By the 1980s he was into hard rock like Eddy Van Halen. Originally from D.C., Guy grew up in Sandford but often came to Fayetteville to dive into a more colorful rock music scene in the 80s and 90s. In 2000, he made a permanent move to Fayetteville. The Guy Unger Band was formed in 2015 and performs regularly playing mostly cover songs, but more originals are coming in this new year.
The Fayetteville Music Collective teaches more than 60 students a week. Instruments taught include guitar, bass, drums, flute, saxophone, piano, and vocals. Students have regularly scheduled lessons and can perform in showcases like the upcoming show on February 5, 2025, at Art Attack in the Church. “You can practice in your bedroom or at a lesson, but you get the most when you go out and you try to play in a band setting…you either love it after the first performance and get bit by the bug, or you tuck tail and run. Ninety-eight percent of the time, you will love it and enjoy it and then want to do more,” says Guy.
Looking forward, Guy would like to see the Fayetteville Music Collective grow by adding new instructors and locations including Sanford and Raleigh. “We want to teach others to do what we do here,” Guy says. To learn more about joining the Fayetteville Collective to teach or to schedule a lesson, you can call Guy Unger directly at (910) 551-7144.