Sam Ash Music Stores, the nation’s leading full-line retail music chain, has paid out more than $30,000 over the past ten months to musicians and aspiring songwriters across the country as part of their weekly Singer-songwriter Open Mic Nights. The program is just one component of the company’s effort to support singer-songwriters and provide local musicians with a haven for learning about music, selecting gear, and connecting with their peers. Sam Ash launched the event in September 2012; since then more than three thousand musicians have performed their original compositions and received $10.00 gift cards, a Sam Ash “thank you” for performing at the event.”Sam Ash supports musicians throughout their entire career cycle,” said Richard Ash, CEO of Sam Ash Music Corp. “From their first instrument purchase, through lessons, to their first tour and final reunion tour. We are thrilled to provide a venue for musicians to perform and get their music heard.”The company has demonstrated its determination to support musicians new and old by opening Learning Centers and offering music and technology instruction across the country. Over the past two and a half years, Sam Ash has provided more than 100,000 lessons on all musical instruments “” including voice. “Continuing our commitment to providing high-quality music lessons in our stores, I am proud to announce that we are opening six more Learning Centers over the next two months,” said Ben North, director of music education at Sam Ash.And plans for more Learning Centers are on the way, according to Howie Mendelson, executive vice president of stores.”The response to our Learning Centers has been overwhelming,” said Mendelson. “It’s a terrific feeling to know that we’re able to provide the opportunity and resources for people to pursue their musical dreams. Musicians make the world a better place!”The full lineup of weekly events at Sam Ash Music Stores includes casual jam sessions for electric guitarists and bassists, acoustic guitarists, horn players, keyboardists, and drummers. And on Saturdays, the company offers free hands-on classes in music production using Avid Pro Tools software as well as in digital DJ and electronic dance music (EDM) production using software such as Native Instruments Traktor, Serato DJ, and others. All of this is in addition to ongoing celebrity-guest clinics, product demonstrations, and workshops.”We’ve always said that we aren’t just in the music business “” we’re musicians, too,” said Ash. “We want to create a space for our customers to share their ideas, swap gear, and learn to become better at their craft.”For specific details about weekly events for musicians and music producers, call your local Sam Ash Music Store or visit www.samashmusic.com/blog/play/.Sam Ash Music is the nation’s leading full-line retail music chain. The family owned and operated business opened in 1924 with a small store in Brooklyn, N.Y., and now operates more than 45 stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.samashmusic.com.
