PARTICIPANTS AT THE 2020 SWIM SUMMIT
Smart Women in Music Fund to Host Second Annual Leadership Summit The Smart Women in Music Fund has announced that the second annual SWIM Summit Leadership Program will take place from May 4-7 , 2021 , at the NAMM headquarters in Carlsbad , CA . Applications for the Summit Scholarship are currently open and close on Feb . 28 , 2021 . In the event that SWIM cannot gather in person in May based on CDC guidelines , the summit gathering session will occur at the NAMM headquarters from Oct . 12-15 , 2021 .
Led by Jennifer Hall , the SWIM Summit program supports women working in the music products industry and their goals to connect , support , and grow their leadership and professional abilities . This annual leadership immersion experience will be offered with the applicants receiving the educational experience covered by the awarded scholarship .
Up to 16 SWIM Summit scholarships will be awarded . The awards cover the curriculum costs for the three-day leadership event , an opening and closing reception , and meals during the summit . The summit is held in partnership with NAMM through the use of their headquarters .
To be eligible for the scholarship , applicants must be women who have at least five years of experience working in the music products industry seeking opportunities to expand their leadership and professional competencies . Participants must be at a manager level or higher with a NAMM member company . Applicants should model the mission of SWIM to connect , support and grow opportunities for themselves and all women in the music products industry .
For more information , go to www . smartwomeninmusic . org .
Gibson Acquires Mesa / Boogie ; Randy Smith Joining as Master Amp Designer Gibson has acquired boutique guitar and bass amplifier maker Mesa / Boogie . The amp manufacturer was founded 51 years ago by Randy Smith , who is responsible for creating the innovative circuits that drive some of the most influential sounds in popular music .
Smith will join Gibson as master designer
MESA / BOOGIE ’ S RANDY SMITH BUILDING AMPS IN THE 1970S of Mesa / Boogie amps and more . Because of Smith , Mesa / Boogie was one of the first boutique amplifier builders and pushed amplifier performance in ways that impacted rock music worldwide . Simultaneously respecting and improving the vintage classics he grew up with , Smith pioneered the invention of high gain .
“ At Gibson we are all about leveraging our iconic past and leaning into the innovative future , a quest that started over 100 years ago with our founder , Orville Gibson ,” says James ‘‘ JC ” Curleigh , president and CEO of Gibson Brands . “ Today this quest continues with the addition of Mesa / Boogie into the Gibson Brands family , along with the visionary leadership of Randy Smith and his team who , for the past 50 years , have created an iconic and innovative brand that has stood the test of time . This is a perfect partnership based on our collective professional experiences and passion for sound .”
“ I ’ m 75 years-old and still at work every day ,” says Smith . “ This is my art and many of our crew have worked by my side for 30 to 40 years . As we witnessed JC and Cesar [ Gueikian ] transform Gibson , we saw kindred spirits sharing common values and a fierce dedication to quality . Today , Gibson ’ s guitars are the best ever and when they asked if we ’ d like to become Gibson ’ s Custom Shop for amplifiers , we envisioned a perfect collaboration that would expand our outreach while preserving our legacy beyond my time .” Gibson Brands is distributed in Canada by Yorkville Sound . For more information , contact Mesa / Boogie : 707-778-6565 , www . mesaboogie . com .
… KRK has launched the KRK Kreator Alliance , which is comprised of influential artists , engineers , and producers who , it says , will help shape the company ’ s future by discussing industry trends , equipment , product launches , brand initiatives , and more . The alliance launches with an influential group of artists and producers , including AB Quintanilla , Camilo Lara , Dave Pensado , Herb Trawick , Steve Marcantonio , Tina Guo , Ali Stone , Jblack , Chingy , J . King , Mosty , Javier Garza , Cut Chemist , Maria Elisa Ayerbe , GianMarco Zignago , Sick Individuals , and Dave Way . For more information , go to www . krkmusic . com . KRK is distributed in Canada by Yorkville Sound .
SFM Promotes Erik Lind to Manager of MI Business Unit SFM has announced the recent promotion of Erik Lind to manager of its MI business unit .
Lind started with SFM 14 years ago as product manager . He was instrumental in the development of several brands and in fostering strong relationships with suppliers and industry personnel , the company says . SFM adds that with the addition of Lind ’ s talent and past experience as a gigging guitarist , he understands both the musical and practical aspects of the business .
SFM ’ S ERIK LIND
“ I ’ m lucky to work alongside a group of dedicated , talented colleagues at SFM ,” says Lind . “ Our tightly-knit MI team brings excitement and vision to the industry , and I ’ m more than excited to lead this group through the next stages of its evolution .”
SFM says that over the past year and a half , Lind has successfully taken on the sales leadership role of the MI portfolio , and this change reflects these additional responsibilities . With this change , Manny D ’ Agostino , MI specialist , will report directly to Lind , who will continue to report to Joey Molino , director of brand management .
For more information , contact SFM : 514-780-2070 , info @ sfm . ca , www . sfm . ca .
14 CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE