But it's also recently become a lot more than that.

Every Sunday, when it's usually so quiet in the Macksville CBD you can hear your own heartbeat, there's now a big ol' jam session kicking off at the end of Princess Street.

Locals bring their fold-up chairs and instruments and make beautiful music together, while the smell of freshly-brewed coffee wafts on the breeze from the pop-up cafe out the front.

Every second Monday afternoon a dozen or so teens gather in the back of the Music Station to learn the ropes of the business from those with skin in the game.

And occasionally, the sweetest sounds float on the night breeze from the stage Rob has tucked in the back of the Music Station.

"This is Macksville's best-kept secret," Rob said to Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan, who stopped by to witness the building's transformation, and hear Rob's hopes for its future.

"The plan is to turn this into a live music venue," Rob said.

"I hope to turn the garage into a kitchen and have an al fresco dining area.

"I want it to be a bonafide thing - to support local musicians."

The kids participating in the Ready Set Go program will also be the richer for having a new venue to play with.

Ready Set Go is a local initiative which facilitates free workshops for kids who are interested in the music industry.

The program is funded by the Commonwealth Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) through the Alcohol & Drug Foundation and auspiced by Regional Development Australia MNC's Kerry Grace, coordinated by Liv Parker, with kids being mentored by local musos Rob, Alicia Parry, DeeBee Bishop and Thomas Mann.

The workshops cover sound production, song writing, event management, singing, and sound and lighting design.

Workshops for the year began last Monday with a guest speaker giving the kids the lowdown on the RockFest competition, and culminate in a performance at the Music Station in June.

We want them to leave with skills, experience, confidence and new friendships," Alicia said.

"We've got at least half a dozen guys and girls that are keen as this year," Rob said.

"Some are doing music programs at school and this just complements that.

"What this place also provides is a venue for these kids to do the work experience component of those school music programs, so they don't have to travel to Newcastle or Sydney.

"There's all sorts of different programs in the Valley for sport, but that's not for everyone. Some kids are into music or tech.

"I'm trying to turn this into a cultural centre for Macksville."

Kerry said she took the opportunity to invite Mr Conaghan to see an "alternative career pathways program that's working".

"I know Pat's very interested in youth employment. And my broader hope is that people will see there are a lot of other ways to help young people.

"And I'd love to see this place thriving."

Mr Conaghan, who looked very comfortable onstage with a guitar, said he knows firsthand how important music can be for the mind and soul.

"I think this is a fantastic initiative," he said.

"You've got kids who want to engage in music and the arts, and the back-end tech side of things.

"And what Rob's doing is opening up a whole new world for these kids. It's an exposure they don't get at school.

"And it's also opening up an economic pathway for Macksville on a Sunday."

Before leaving, Mr Conaghan promised to look into possible ways to help make Rob's dream of a cultural hub a reality. He may have also inadvertently put up his hand to star in the Ready Set Go June performance.

If you know someone who'd like to be a part of the Ready Set Go program, you can visit the Creative Youth Council at the Music Station's Facebook page, or stop by and talk to Rob.

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