By Phyllis Pollack
It was announced yesterday by the Women In Music Network (WIMN) that the organization will present two new first annual events to be held at the upcoming NAMM 2013.
Highlighting the presence of female musicians, The Women in Music Network will sponsor A Musical Morning: The First Annual Women in Music Network Breakfast at NAMM 2013. The event will be held in partnership with NewBay Media. The breakfast will take place during the upcoming NAMM Show on January 25th, 2013, at the Anaheim Marriott.
In addition to bringing together women in the industry, the meeting will kick off the first annual She Rocks Awards, also held in conjunction with NewBay Media. The awards will pay tribute to women who display leadership and who are noted within the music industry.
The She Rocks Awards will include a performance by guitarist/singer/songwriter Orianthi with a trio consisting of bassist Nik West and drummer Brittany Maccarello. The ceremony will honor a number of women who have contributed to the music industry.
Among them will be songwriter, artist and producer Holly Knight, who has written number one songs for Tina Turner, Aerosmith, Rod Stewart and Heart. Among songs she has penned is Pat Benatar's smash hit "Love is a Battlefield." She has also written songs for Katy Perry, and many other artists.
Knight has been nominated for the 2013 Songwriters Hall of Fame.
At 27 years old, guitarist prodigy Orianthi has already shared the stage with some of the world's most iconic artists including Carlos Santana, Steve Vai and Prince. It was during her performance at the 2009 Grammy Awards with country superstar Carrie Underwood that Michael Jackson took note, and asked her to play on his derailed This Is It tour.
Presently, she is the lead guitarist in Alice Cooper's touring band.
Tish Ciravolo, President of Daisy Rock Guitars will also be honored. Tish Ciravolo took a leap of faith in 2000, and launched the first and only guitar company focused solely on female players. Her goal is to get more girls to play guitar. The company is based in the San Fernando Valley.
Some of her line is particularly attractive to younger girls, as her stringed instruments have specs made for smaller hands.
Mary Peavey, president of Peavey Electronics, runs one of the largest companies in the industry. She has also donated her time and talents to furthering arts and education for the benefit of children. She was named to the Board of Directors for the national Afterschool Alliance in 2007.
Peavey also plays an essential role in producing the annual “Mississippi Grammy Legacy Celebration,” which was named “One of the Coolest Events on the Planet” by Vanity Fair in 2008.
Laura Taylor, Sr VP of Operations for the Guitar Center: On top of her responsibilities running operations for this renowned music store chain, Taylor worked to initiate a culture at the retail outlet that is more friendly towards female musicians.
She has been an outstanding supporter of women's initiatives in the industry.
The WIMN Breakfast and She Rocks Awards will also feature a performance from Ali Handal, international touring artist, and author of Guitar for Girls: A Beginner’s Guide to Playing Acoustic or Electric Guitar.
The event will be hosted by Laura B. Whitmore, founder of the Women in Music Network, producer of the Women’s Music Summit, and writer of Guitar World’s Guitar Girl’d column, the WiMN Breakfast’s goal is to bring women together in a supportive environment.
The Women in Music Breakfast and the She Rocks Awards supported in part by NewBay Media, publishers of Guitar World, Guitar Player, Electronic Musician, Mix Magazine, Bass Player, Keyboard, and many other industry publications And by Daisy Rock Guitars, Peavey Electronics, MEOW, and On-Stage Stands.
The WiMN Breakfast and She Rocks Awards will take place in Grand Ballroom E of the Anaheim Marriott Hotel on January 25th, 2013 from 8:30am to 10:00am. Those wanting more information at the event's website.
Founded in 2012, the Women In Music Network connects women who work within all facets of the music industry. The Women in Music Network also produces events such as the annual Women's Music Summit. The organization was founded by music industry veteran Laura B. Whitmore.
Comments