Strumming New Chords

Don Fransko, a guitarist who once played with with bands like Catch-22 and Relient K, owns his own guitar gallery in Millville, New Jersey. When the recession hit, he turned to a more reliable source of income — lessons for kids. But even private lessons have dropped off. “People have to choose between paying the electric bill or sending their child to guitar instruction,” says Fransko. “Normally, the electric bill wins.”

Interviewed, photographed, and produced by James Cook, Jr.