Arsen Georgio Sheklian is the owner of Georgio’s Shoe Repair in Fresno, a leather repair and goods shop started by his father. He is also a touring musician with his current country band, Arsen Giorgio. Photo via Arsen Georgio Sheklian

As a staple of the Fresno community, Arsen Georgio Sheklian plays a lot of parts; son of George Sheklian, founder of Georgio’s Shoe Repair and Leather Goods, apprentice and craftsman in the family business.

But along with the roles that make the business tick, one itch of a more musical creative variety consumes much of Sheklian’s time, passion and energy.

That musical itch has evolved over the years, from being told that he was “tone deaf” to being asked time and time again to headline concerts and events far from the familiar confines of Georgio’s at the North Pointe Center just off Herndon and Palm avenues.

Sheklian credits much of his success to hard work, dedication and a will to pursue a much-loved passion — one that he has been able to develop into a consistent, motivating factor in his life.

A legacy of craftsmanship

Years before he ever picked up a guitar, Sheklian watched his father build the business that he would someday own.

In the 1950s, George Sheklian, an immigrant from Argentina, arrived in the United States with just $800 in his pocket. Less than a decade later, he opened Georgio’s in the early ’60s, building it into a well-known shop in Fresno for leather goods and shoe repair.

Arsen grew up in the shop, learning the trade from his father, though his interests soon took him in a different direction — towards music.

In 2009, George suffered a stroke that prompted Arsen to return from Italy, where he had been living at the time. In 2014, another tragedy befell the family when George was injured during a robbery at a nearby store and tragically died after suffering brain trauma at 85.

Arsen, who at the time had been living in Europe and touring with his band, returned to the Valley to carry on his father’s work, navigating the challenges of life after such a loss, as well as continuing his musical journey.

 

Arsen Roulette 

Despite Sheklian’s life being rooted in craftsmanship, music has always been his first love.

“When I was 14, I started playing music,” Sheklian said, adding that despite the opportunity, his musical path wasn’t without obstacles.

Initially, Sheklian’s mother refused to let him practice at home. But his father’s decision to allow Arsen to practice at his store — under the contingency of learning the family business — allowed him to continue to develop his dream.

“I was forced to learn, which was good, “Sheklian said, adding that his determination was fueled further by the tough love of family members, including his brother, who once told him he was tone-deaf.

After first falling in love with punk music in his 20s, Sheklian formed a Rockabilly band, “Arsen Roulette and the Ricochets.” Much like many bands, Sheklian’s group was challenged financially; on their European first tour, Sheklian spent $20,000 out of his own pocket, funding nearly everything for their first trip.

After that, however, Sheklian learned which venues worked best and where concertgoers would be most welcoming of their music.

Sheklian also learned that there is a very large interest in American music in Europe.

“That’s when we started making our niche, started finding our target—where to go, where to play,” Sheklian said. Over time, they began to turn a profit and found a loyal fan base.

After relocating to the United States following Georgio’s stroke in 2009, Sheklian was forced to slow down his touring and music schedule in order to help maintain the family business, and to take care of his aging father.

Despite the change, however, Sheklian retained his itch for music, eventually turning to a childhood friend who invited him to a jam session. Sheklian, having just experienced a personal breakup, did what any good musician does — he took the experiences from his life and turned them into art.

The art Sheklian took on this time was new, but heralded back to a genre that had interested him since his childhood: country music.

Taking inspiration from classic artists including Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Charley Crockett, the group, which Sheklian describes as “mid-century country,” soon found their groove, creating their own sound and even spinning it on contemporary artists’ songs.

 

Juggling tasks

Despite his musical career, Sheklian has continued to ensure the comfortable and smooth operation of his father’s business, having relocated from its longtime home on Blackstone and Sierra avenues to the quieter confines of the North Pointe Center.

Still near the heart of one of Fresno’s main retail arteries — River Park, Villaggio and the North Blackstone area — Georgio’s continues to operate without missing a beat, even when Arsen takes several months out of the year to tour in Europe.

Sheklian’s staff helps run the store when he is on tour. Any heavy-duty, specialty work is left for Sheklian upon his return.

And that workload may very well pick up in the near future, with Arsen gearing up his new country band — Arsen Giorgio — to play not only local gigs, but also preparing for a European tour, the first for his country band.

The band will also headline the annual Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend show that goes from April 24 – 27. Arsen Roulette will perform on Saturday, April 26 at the Orleans Hotel and Casino.

Sheklian said that he hopes the Las Vegas music festival, as well as several upcoming local shows, will help generate excitement for the band’s upcoming European tour later this year.

“I think since it’s mid-century country, that music never really died overseas,” he said. “It’s still big.”

In addition to his Vegas show, Arsen Roulette will also perform several local concerts, including shows in Solvang on Friday, April 4, and Fresno on Saturday, April 5. The band will perform at several venues in Southern California in the days leading up to their headline date in Las Vegas.

For all Arsen Roulette show dates, as well as additional information, discography and links to all of Arsen’s music, check out arsengiorgio.com.