Musicians perform for customers at the pump, amid high gas prices
When customers pull up to the pumps at Quincy Gas station in Quincy, Massachusetts, they're getting more than just fuel for their vehicles.
Some of them are now also getting a taste of a classical concert, too.
Harvey Kertzman, the owner of Quincy Gas, is a music lover and former choir singer who said he's had the idea to bring classical music and specifically, violists, to his business for years.
"I used to sing in a choir and I went to Europe and did a bunch of concerts and I became enamored with the sound of a viola," Kertzman told ABC News. "About 25 years ago, I figured I would try a guitarist at the gas station to serenade the customers with a guitar."
After his local guitarist stopped playing due to arthritis, Kertzman decided to look for trained violists next and finally found four to play this spring.
"We're doing a rotation and the customers are really happy to get a little culture in their life when they come to get gas," said Kertzman, adding, "their music is so warming, you can't help but leave with a smile."
It's a pick-me-up that's come right as gas prices have been surging amid the ongoing war in Iran, which has driven up the price of fuel. The average price of a gallon of gas is about $4.30 as of Thursday, the highest it's been in four years, according to AAA data. Gas prices have climbed $1.32, or about 44% overall, since the war began on Feb. 28.
Kertzman said he didn't pay for violists to attract customers but simply wanted to share his love of music.
"The gas prices are so high now. Less and less people are driving on the road so our customer base is off by about 20%," Kertzman said. "The higher the gas price goes, the less customers you get."
Caroline Leguia of Milton, Massachusetts, is currently one of the four violists playing once a week, for two hours each, at Quincy Gas. The 35-year-old told ABC News she loves to give the gift of music to her community.
"Playing for the people is just the most special thing because most people who are coming to get gas are not expecting to have live music and to have it be one-on-one, like, that is so special to be playing just to that one person," Leguia said.
Leguia said Quincy Gas might not be a traditional music hall but it's a surprisingly fitting place to play.
"It's not by any means, the most conventionally prestigious venue, but the acoustics are actually incredible because there's this metal roof over the pumps that sort of bounces the sound waves back down," the freelance musician said.
Leguia, who plays a viola made of carbon fiber, can play in sunny, clear and rainy conditions and said she hopes to play everything, from classical songs and jazz standards to pop tunes, until it's too cold to be outside.
"I've watched it change people's day in real time, which is amazing. And people seem genuinely moved by it, delighted by it, surprised and touched. So it's really lovely," said Leguia.
