Artist Will Wood performs at House of Guitars on June 13.
SAMSON TAPS MIKE ZEGELBACH AS ITS NEW HEAD OF SALES S amson has named Mike Zegel- bach as its new head of sales.
ners, and help Samson grow with creativity and staying power in to- day’s evolving market. I also want to acknowledge Bob Caputo, who has been a highly respected member of the music community, both in this role and across the industry. His leadership and dedication have
With a rich sales background in the music industry, Zegelbach brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and passion to Samson and its distributed brands. Over the past two decades, Ze-
House of Guitars Celebrates 60 Years H ouse of Guitars in Rochester, New York, has been serving its community for 60 years. Since opening in 1964, the shop has been considered a legacy store visited by generations of artists, fans and music legends. On June 13, the store held a surprise in-store performance by singer- songwriter Will Wood in celebration of the anniversary. Hundreds of fans crowded into the shop for the stripped- back set from Wood, which promoted his latest album, “In Case I Make It.” Founded by brothers Armand and Bruce Schaubroeck, the store’s customer base has included rock artists, such as Metallica, The Ramones, Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne and Joe Walsh. Its in-store stage has hosted bands like Cheap Trick, Flogging Molly and Less Than Jake. {houseofguitars.com} Sweetwater Announces Return of GuitarFest S weetwater has announced the return of GuitarFest, which will take place at the company’s Fort Wayne, Indiana, campus on Sept. 27. The event will let guitar players and music fans explore manufacturer booths from top brands, such as Gibson, Fender and Marshall. There will also be appearances by major artists throughout the day. Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with their favorite brands and artists. “We’ve taken everything we learned from last year’s event — along with the valuable feedback from attendees — and used it to make the experience this year even better,” said Samantha Hunter, director of artist relations and campus events at Sweetwater. “We truly believe 2025’s GuitarFest will be an unforgettable celebration for music lovers of all kinds.” {sweetwater.com}
Mike Zegelbach
gelbach has made contributions to the MI industry, spanning retail, distribution and brand development. Prior to joining Samson, he served as national sales manager at a global musical instrument distributor, where he led a prominent sales team in bringing innovative music products to market. His experience also includes an extensive background in music retail management, with a focus on day-to-day operations, buying/selling, inven- tory and customer relations. “Samson is an established legacy brand with deep roots in the music and pro audio community, and I see tremendous potential ahead,” Zegelbach said. “My industry experi- ence has taught me the value of strong brand partnerships and smart channel strategies. I’m excited to bring that perspective here. I’m ready to jump in, connect with our part-
left big shoes to fill. I’m grateful to have his support and will be working closely with him to ensure a smooth, thoughtful transition.” “We’re thrilled to welcome Mike Zegel- bach to the Samson leadership team. His deep understanding of the music and audio industry, paired with his energy and proven track record, make him the right person to help guide our next chapter of growth,” said Branislav Zivkovic, Samson’s president. “Mike’s commitment to our partners and his strategic mindset will be instrumental as we continue to innovate and expand the reach of Samson, Hartke and Michael Kelly globally. I also want to express my sincere thanks to Bob Caputo for his three decades of outstanding leadership. We are grateful for his continued support during this important transition.” {samsontech.com}
PALEN MUSIC CENTER NAMES SETH SWAFFORD ITS NEW PRESIDENT P alen Music Center, a full-line music retailer based in the Mid-
ground combining CPG strategy and cutting-edge retail analytics, along with his proven leadership with major national brands, makes him the ideal person to lead us into our next chapter.” Swafford’s appointment comes at a time of transformation for
west, has appointed Seth Swafford as its new president. In this role, Swafford will guide strategic ini- tiatives, among its 250 employees, to drive growth and operational excellence across all 10 Palen Music locations throughout the Midwest.
Seth Swafford
Palen Music. As the company, which cur- rently partners with more than 500 school locations, continues to grow its footprint in music education, retail and technology. Swafford’s leadership will be critical in fos- tering innovation, operational efficiency and exceptional customer experiences. “I’m honored to join a company with such a rich history and inspiring mission,” Swaf- ford said. “Palen Music has made a profound impact on musicians of all ages. I look forward to working with the talented team here to continue that legacy.” {palenmusic.com}
Swafford brings a wealth of experience from the Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) industry and the retail analytic software tech- nology sector. Over the course of his career, he has successfully partnered with 19 Fortune 500 companies, demonstrating a strong track record of customer-centric leadership, data- driven solutions to complex challenges, and business transformation. “We are thrilled to welcome Seth to the Palen Music family,” said Brett Palen, own- er/CEO of Palen Music. “His unique back-
18 I MUSIC INC. I AUGUST 2025
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