Iconic pedal steel guitar company Sho-Bud is expanding into recorded music with the debut of its record label and publishing arm, Sho-Bud Records. Originally founded as Sho-Bud Music in 2002, the imprint is now being reintroduced under its new name.
Music industry veteran Mike Gormley will be leading the effort. His decades of experience in the music business include managing The Bangles and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and writing for the Detroit Free Press, Variety Magazine, and Billboard Magazine. He also served as a music executive for A&M Records and Polygram Records.
“Sho-Bud is not simply a brand. It is part of the sound of American music,” he states. “When a name carries that much history, the responsibility is to honor it, protect it and help introduce it to new audiences.”
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According to Sho-Bud co-CEO Will Jackson, the idea was partly inspired by the artists who use the brand’s instruments. “We saw a chance to do more than build great products — we wanted to help those artists reach a wider audience,” he says.
“By combining our technology expertise from other arenas with a strong network of industry partners, we’ve created a platform that supports artists through traditional and emerging channels, including vinyl, streaming, sync licensing, social media and live production.”
CFO and General Counsel Fred Waid also confirms that, by working “even more closely with the people who play our instruments,” the record label’s work will help shape the future of Sho-Bud instruments.
Founded in 1955 by Shot Jackson and Buddy Emmons, Sho-Bud has established itself as a go-to for pedal steel guitars.
It helped shape the “Nashville sound” and became a staple of country and Americana music throughout the ’60s and ’70s, as leveraged by the likes of the Beach Boys, Yes, and the Eagles.
Earlier this year, Sho-Bud continued expanding its offerings by acquiring Mosrite Guitars – the underdog firm loved by Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, and Johnny Ramone.
