The Guitar Center Company

Please join us in congratulating Lou Panico on his promotion to Music & Arts District Manager, Northern New Jersey and New York Metro area!  Lou started out in our Guitar Center stores, rising through the ranks and is now moving over to M&A as a District Manager. Lou is excited to “get to know the team—learn each person’s passions, strengths, and growth opportunities, understand what matters most to them, and align that with the broader goals of the organization.”    Congratulations, Lou!   #LifeAtGCC #Music&Arts

After nearly a decade away, Guitar Center Drum-Off returned in a big way—drawing more than 2,600 submissions from drummers across the country and culminating in an unforgettable Finale at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood. Congratulations to Jonathan Fortson of Hamilton, Alabama, our 2026 Drum-Off Champion! Jonathan’s story makes this moment even more special. He first competed in Drum-Off as a teenager but didn’t advance beyond the District round. More than a decade later, he returned to give it another shot—and this time, he took home the title. That’s what Drum-Off has always been about: giving talented musicians a stage, a spotlight, and an opportunity to show the world what they can do. For 28 years, Drum-Off provided an early platform for drummers who went on to perform alongside some of the biggest names in music. Now, with its successful return, we’re proud to help shine that spotlight on a new generation of talent. Thank you to the associates, artists, partners, competitors, and fans who helped make the return of Drum-Off such an incredible success. The next generation of legends is already playing. #LifeAtGCC #DrumOff #LegendsPlayHere Check it out! https://lnkd.in/gsyM5byk

Legends play here. And so do the legends of tomorrow. We’re proud to partner with artists like Ed Sheeran and brands like Orange Amps to celebrate the musicians who inspire the world today—while helping make music more accessible to those just beginning to find their sound. From street corners and bedrooms to sold-out stadiums, every legend starts somewhere. And at Guitar Center, we’re proud to be there for the entire journey. Our latest collaboration came to life at SoFi Stadium, where Guitar Center hosted a special VIP experience celebrating the new Ed Sheeran x Orange Amps Outlowd ES Series—gear inspired by Ed’s own journey and designed for musicians at every stage of theirs. Because when legends play here, the next generation is inspired to pick up an instrument and become one. Read more from Los Angeles Magazine: https://lnkd.in/ggiMipzJ #LifeAtGCC #LegendsPlayHere #EdSheeran #OrangeAmps #Music

Please help us warmly welcome Valeisha Butterfield as CEO & Executive Director of the Guitar Center Music Foundation. When asked what excites her about this new role, Valeisha shared... “Music is a universal language and the most powerful tool in the world to connect people across generations. The Guitar Center Company sits at the center of that extraordinary ecosystem, and I’m excited to help lead this next chapter of the Guitar Center Music Foundation as we reimagine its influence, impact, and legacy. At its core, this work is about unlocking opportunities, fueling dreams, and expanding what music can make possible for the next generation.” Welcome to the band, Valeisha!  #LifeAtGCC #GuitarCenterMusicFoundation 

Music has always been at the heart of who we are.  Recently, associates and their families came together for our annual Mic Drop Jam Night—an evening celebrating the incredible talent, creativity, and passion that make the Guitar Center Company such a special place to work. Throughout the night, associate musicians took the stage to perform for their coworkers, while we also recognized our 2025 Mic Drop Award winners and presented this year's Hackathon Award, celebrating associates who make a lasting impact through leadership, collaboration, and innovation. It's events like these that remind us that our culture is built on more than what we do every day—it's built on the people who bring our values to life and the shared passion for music that connects us all. Thank you to everyone who performed, volunteered, and helped make the evening such a memorable celebration. #LifeAtGCC #Music #Recognition #Innovation

Please join us in welcoming Maggie Simpson as our Regional Director for the Music & Arts West Region.  When asked why she’s excited about her new role, Maggie shared... “I view my move to Music & Arts as a natural evolution of my commitment to well-being and championing music, arts, and culture as essential pillars of emotional health. I love that I will be helping Music & Arts further the goal of creating lifelong musicians.” #LifeAtGCC 

Our CEO, Gabriel Dalporto, recently sat down with Modern Retail to discuss Guitar Center's transformation, the momentum we're building, and our unwavering focus on serving musicians. It's a great look at where we've been—and where we're headed. Check out the full article: https://lnkd.in/es6UhNyB

Please join us in welcoming Jeff Pierson as our new VP, Digital & Brand Marketing for Music & Arts!  Jeff shared that he is excited to join Music & Arts, a company that has been part of his family for years. “Both of my sons rented their first instruments through M&A, so I've seen firsthand the role this company plays in helping kids fall in love with music. Getting the chance to help tell that story and grow the brand is a dream scenario for me. I'm most excited to meet the team, learn from the people closest to our customers, and find ways to connect with even more families and educators.” Welcome to the band, Jeff!  #LifeAtGCC

Congratulations to Brian Sorensen for winning a 2025 Mic Drop Award! #LifeAtGCC

Congratulations to Richard Shappee for winning a 2025 Mic Drop Award! #LifeAtGCC