Samick News - Archives
We have kept our older news archived for you to read. Below is our most notable news from 2011 and older.
Samick Announces New Appointment
July 20, 2011
Samick Music Corporation, Inc. recently announced the appointment of Jeremy Colas to the position of Quality Assurance Manager / Master Luthier.
Tony De La Rosa, Regional Sales Manager/Western Territory of Samick’s MI Division, said, “Having Jeremy on board is another forward step in our goal to solidify the Samick guitar brand. Besides his skills as a Luthier, Jeremy brings a new spirit and energy to the guitar division. He’s not just a guitar builder; he’s a creative guy with fresh ideas. Additionally, his visits to our factory in Indonesia will give us a greater link of communication when it comes to consistency and quality of our import guitars.”
Through his new role, Jeremy will provide an improved line of communication pertaining to the consistency and quality of import guitars. "I'm excited to be part of the Samick family,” said Colas. “I look forward to setting a new standard of excellence in the industry with our USA Custom Shop line as well as guaranteeing that our dealers continue to get the best quality from our imported products.”
Samick Music Donates Guitar to Woody Guthrie Folk Festival
July 18, 2011
Samick Music is pleased to announce its donation of a Greg Bennett Design acoustic guitar to the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, an annual three-day event that commemorates the life and musical legacy of the American folk musician. The guitar was presented as a door prize for the popular festival, allowing thousands of attendees a chance to handle and play the guitar throughout the weekend.
“Samick Music was happy to donate a guitar to such a great cause,” said Tony De La Rosa, Artist Relations/Marketing Manager, Samick Music Corporation. “The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival serves as a means of keeping acoustic guitar-oriented folk music alive and well in America, something Samick Music fully supports.”
This year’s event marked Samick Music’s sixth straight year of making a donation to the festival. The annual event takes place each July in Guthrie’s home town of Okemah, Oklahoma. For more information, visit www.woodyguthrie.com.
Greg Bennett Guitars Debuts New Acoustic Guitar
July 13, 2011
Samick Music is pleased to announce the release of its latest Greg Bennett Design acoustic guitar, the GD100SCE PK. The new solid top industry standard, the GD100SCE PK features new Thunderflex™ bracing that provides the loudest, most powerful sound ever heard at its price point.
In addition to Thunderflex™ bracing, the GD100SCE PK features a Fishman™ Isys preamp, solid Sitka spruce top, Nato mahogany back and sides, multi-ply binding, and die cast tuners. The guitar is available in vintage sunburst finish and is accompanied by a deluxe 10mm padded gig bag and easy-to-read chord chart.
For more information, visit gregbennettguitars.com.
Samick Music Sponsors All Star Guitar Night
July 11, 2011
Samick is pleased to announce its sponsorship of Muriel Anderson's All Star Music Night, a
standing-room only event which provides a platform for some of the best guitar players in the world.
Samick artist Steve Rutledge, one of several featured guitarists scheduled to perform during the event, is thrilled about the opportunity. "Words can't express what an honor it is to be asked to play All Star Guitar Night," said Rutledge. "It is a dream come true to be able to play on stage with a few of my influences Brent Mason, Lee Ritenour, Seymour Duncan and all of the other all stars who are playing. I am so blessed to have the musical family and the backing I've always had with my family!" Following the NAMM Show, Rutledge will be on the road in August providing clinics to Samick dealer across the United States.
Stephen Stills Signed Greg Bennett Guitar Auction
May 9, 2011
Guitars in the Classroom and Resounding Joy have launched an exciting online charity auction. A Greg Bennett Worthington D5 acoustic guitar autographed by Stephen Stills is up for auction, with proceeds going towards keeping music alive in schools, homes, and places of healing.
To learn more about this auction and bid on this great guitar, please visit For the Love of Music.
Samick Music Sponsors Cibola Fest
May 5, 2011
Samick Music is happy to announce its sponsorship of the 2011 Cibola Fest, a three-day music festival taking place September 9-11 in Milan, New Mexico. This year’s festival has doubled in size, taking place on 160 acres beneath Mount Taylor, and will be host to over 25 bands this year, featuring Oldies, Country and Rock & Roll music.
The event’s goal is to help promote new artists, local economic development, and local and national charitable groups. “As a budding musician in my younger years, I still have fond memories of playing gigs with my good ole solid white Samick bass,” said Peter Yanke, Cibola Fest organizer. “Since then, I have always looked for that name whenever I am purchasing a new guitar.”
Samick Guitars endorser Coles Whalen will be a featured performer at Cibola Fest. “I like the idea of being part of an event with such a diverse group of artists,” said Tony De La Rosa, Artist Relations/ Regional Sales Manager, Samick Music Corporation. “It’s like a celebration of music and American culture, and Coles Whalen is such an engaging artist with universal appeal. She’s a perfect fit for Cibola Fest.”
Samick Music Announces James Williams as Latest JTR Endorser
March 25, 2011
Samick Music is proud to announce the addition of musician James Williams to the JTR family of artists. Williams is a guitarist, composer and producer for the band X Opus, a sophisticated group that has found its own cutting edge sound in today’s Prog Metal. The band has recently signed on with Magna Carta Records and is set to release its latest album, “The Epiphany” worldwide on May 31st. Williams utilizes his new JTR guitar to bring out the best in his creativity as he incorporates metal, jazz and blues into his music.
“Samick has gone over the top with their new line of JTR series guitars, great for Metal, Jazz and Blues,” said Williams. The Marie MR30 has a neck through body that sustains all day long, and the fast neck width and jumbo frets will have you playing notes that seem to play by themselves. It’s a masterpiece that is like a Stradivarius for guitar players.”
Samick Music is thrilled to have such a diverse and unique artist as part of the JTR family. “It’s great to have a player like James on the roster, he is for sure not your everyday average guitar player,” said Tony De La Rosa, Artist Relations/ Regional Sales Manager, Samick Music Corporation. “His work in the band X Opus is just an example of his guitar prowess. The guy is a musical chameleon that can play many styles well, as the world will soon see.”
Glenn Derringer, President of Samick's MI Division, said, “This is just one part of our evolving focus on this segment of Samick’s business.Tony and Marshall will play a major role in moving the company forward with impressive new designs by Greg Bennett, JT Riboloff and others yet to come. They represent our continued investment on all business fronts including management, design, marketing/advertising and distribution. This is just the beginning.”
Samick Announces New Appointments
March 4, 2011
Samick Music Corporation, Inc. recently announced two major promotions in the MI division headquartered at the company’s U.S.A. corporate offices in Gallatin, TN. Tony De La Rosa has been promoted to Regional Sales Manager/Western Territory. Tony, who joined Samick in 2000 as Marketing and Artist Relations Manager, comes from a long background in the music industry as a performing musician. Tony has also held sales and management positions in both the music and shopping mall businesses. Marshall Moody has been promoted to the position of Regional Sales Manager/Eastern Territory. Marshall as well has had experience as a performing guitarist and comes from a strong retail background in the music business previously associated with Kaman and Sam Ash.
In their new positions, both Tony and Marshall will have total sales and marketing responsibility for their territories and will work directly with the sales reps and firms associated with each region.
Both Tony and Marshall will continue to report to John Hawkins, Vice President, Sales & Marketing. Hawkins stated, “We are fortunate to have such talented and experienced personnel who are both knowledgeable and passionate about their new positions. Our Samick dealer organization continues to grow. With our new products, clinics and marketing programs coming on line, it's only natural to have more direct interaction from management with our field personnel and dealers.”
Glenn Derringer, President of Samick's MI Division, said, “This is just one part of our evolving focus on this segment of Samick’s business.Tony and Marshall will play a major role in moving the company forward with impressive new designs by Greg Bennett, JT Riboloff and others yet to come. They represent our continued investment on all business fronts including management, design, marketing/advertising and distribution. This is just the beginning.”
Samick Partners w/ Dave Ramsey, Artists TG Sheppard & Kelly Lang for Charity Auction
December 6, 2010
Samick Music, nationally syndicated radio talk show host Dave Ramsey, and country music stars TG Sheppard and Kelly Lang have teamed up to donate and auction an autographed piano to support Mercy Ministries of America, a biblically-based program serving troubled young women across the United States. Auction bids can be placed through December 11 by visiting www.daveramsey.com/piano.
The one-of-a-kind WM. Knabe & Co. Grand piano has been signed by Ramsey, Sheppard, Lang, and many of Nashville?s biggest stars, including two-time Dancing With the Stars winner and country music singer Julianne Hough, retired NFL Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae, Olympic figure skating champion Scott Hamilton, multi-platinum recording artist Lorrie Morgan, Grammy award-winning country singer George Jones, Oak Ridge Boys singer William Lee Golden, and long-time Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Sealy. Guests attending the Merry Mercy Christmas Benefit dinner in Nashville on December 10 will also have the opportunity to bid on the piano.
"As this year's Chairmen of The Merry Mercy Christmas Banquet, my wife Sharon and I are thrilled with Samick Music?s generous spirit and donation of this one of kind piano," said Dave Ramsey. "Our friends TG Sheppard and Kelly Lang have had mega stars from all over sign the piano and facilitate this donation. We are having even more great signatures added every day and the auction of this piano will benefit Mercy Ministries, a fabulous program helping young women facing several different kinds of life's challenges."
Samick Music Makes Donation to Crestline Creative Arts Foundation
October 14, 2010
On Saturday, July 3, Samick Music donated a Greg Bennett-designed model OM8CE N acoustic guitar to the Lake Gregory Jam Fest 2010, an event hosted by the Crestline Creative Arts Foundation which features live music. The guitar was presented to foundation President Gigi Bannister, wife of Samick artist Reggie Bannister, as the festival’s raffle prize.
“The Crestline Creative Arts Foundation wishes to provide our profound thanks and appreciation for the support of our organization during this year's Lake Gregory Jam Fest 2010,” said Gigi Bannister. “The Samick Music/Gregg Bennett guitar OM8CE N provided for our raffle was warmly received by our community and greatly appreciated by the recipient, Paul Allen of Crestline, California. Many thanks for supporting our local mountain youth and local arts and music projects."
The festival took place in Crestine, CA and included vendors, food, arts & crafts, games, contests, magic shows, face painting, a parade and more.
Samick Music Announces Reggie Bannister as Latest Artist
September 28, 2010
Samick Music is proud to announce the addition of veteran musician, actor and screenwriter Reggie Bannister to the Greg Bennett family of artists. Bannister, well-known for his roles in the action-horror series Phantasm, has seen his career span over 40 years in television, film and entertainment with a varied background that includes writing, acting and music. As a musician, Mr. Bannister has released six albums, including his 2008 release titled “Naked Truth.”
“We’re excited to work with Reggie, he is a unique addition for us since he is both a musician and an actor,” said Tony De La Rosa, Artist Relations/Marketing Manager, Samick Music Corporation. “When you see Reggie playing a guitar in a movie, it’s really him playing, and in many cases has also wrote the song, and now he’ll be seen playing Samick/Greg Bennett guitars on screen.”
Mr. Bannister is currently using his Greg Bennett guitar recording songs that he has written for the upcoming horror comedy “Bloody Bloody Bible Camp.” “Getting ready for a recording session today, with Shadow Dog Sound, to record a couple of tunes I wrote for the film roll up of Bloody Bloody Bible Camp,” said Bannister. “I have been hanging around the house playing my new guitar for hours on end, and my wife Gigi has been very patient with me, since I'm always referring to my Gregg Bennett guitar as "she". I can hardly believe when I pick it up that it feels like an old friend."
Samick Music Donates Piano Parts to Fundraising Event
September 17, 2010
Samick Music is proud to announce the donation of a variety of piano parts to “Encore! Reclaim the Sound”, a new fundraising event to support the Arts Council of Williamson County (ACWC) Arts Education Programs and the Nashville International Piano Competition of The Steinway Society of Nashville. The parts donated by Samick Music range from piano keys, foot pedals, tuning pins and piano strings to key rails, benches and grand piano lids. The piano parts will be recycled through creative artwork and auctioned off in a live and silent auction at the event’s upcoming black-tie affair in October.
“Samick Music Corporation is excited to be a partner and sponsor in this project,” said Jane Jones, Samick Piano Service Manager, Samick Music Corporation. “At Samick, our motto is ‘Enjoy Music, Enjoy Life’. Just as music cannot remain silent, ‘Encore! Reclaim The Sound’ allows discarded piano parts to bring music to life once more in the form of art. As artist Mary Kilbreath said, ‘When next at the easel, remember we are making music for the eyes.’"
The fundraising event is presented by the ACWC and Steinway Piano Gallery of Nashville. The competition will award first, second and third prize scholarships to the selected students to study piano at any nationally accredited school of music in the State of Tennessee.
Samick Guitars Makes Donation to Children?s Charity Event
July 25, 2010
On Sunday, July 25, Samick Guitar artist Johnny Lucas of the band Kottak presented two autographed electric guitars to the Clear View Treatment Center, a 24-hour, in-home treatment program that focuses on preparing children for placement in the community. The guitars were auctioned off and donated as part of the Fourth Annual Celebrity Poker Tournament at The Highlands-Hollywood to raise money for several Clear View Treatment centers.
The red carpet event raised over $10,000 and featured several well-known celebrities who signed the guitars, including poker professional Annie Duke, drummer Phil Varone, LA Ink?s Corey Miller, actress Jennifer Elise Cox and former baseball all-star José Canseco. It included pre-event and post-event coverage by several media outlets.
Samick Music Makes Donation to Woody Guthrie Folk Festival
July 18, 2010
On Sunday, July 18, Samick Music donated a Greg Bennett-designed model MJ13CE N acoustic guitar to the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, an annual three-day event that commemorates the life and musical legacy of the American folk musician. The guitar was presented as a door prize for the popular festival, drawing huge attention from the thousands of visitors throughout the weekend while offering attendees a chance to handle and play the guitar.
This year?s event marked Samick Music?s fifth straight year of making a donation to the festival. The annual event takes place each July in Guthrie?s home town of Okemah, Oklahoma.