Gibson Launches New Record Label With Slash As First Featured Artist

The Nashville-based Gibson, known for creating guitars that have helped shaped music for generations, has announced it is creating its own record label. The company says the new Gibson Records will work primarily with Gibson artists to produce, record, and promote their music under an artist friendly partnership. The first album under the new label, set for release early next year, will feature Slash with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators.

Slash, a musician, songwriter, and producer, is best-known as the legendary lead guitarist for Guns & Roses. He also has a longtime partnership with Gibson and has designed numerous guitars for the company over the past three decades.

“It’s an honor to be the first release on the new Gibson Records,” Slash in a released statement. “Having worked so closely with Gibson for so long, I know they will be a label that genuinely supports their artists creatively. Not just me, but all the artists they choose to work with.”

Cesar Gueikian, President of Gibson Brands, says now is the perfect time for the company to start its own record label.

“Launching a record label that is in service to our artists is the natural evolution of our 127 years of history,” he explained. “Gibson Records will keep all of us at Gibson focused on our artist-first culture that is engaged and connected to music.

Slash’s longtime manager says the partnership will offer an exciting opportunity to explore new ways to market and promote a record.

“It shows a real commitment on the part of Gibson towards the artist community, and it will serve as a model for future artist releases,” said Jeff Varner, Co-Founder of Revelation Management Group. “Working with Cesar and the Gibson team has provided a fresh approach to how we can support an album release.”

Gibson, which filed for bankruptcy protection in May of 2018, reemerged under new leadership and an energetic new direction.

Over the past two-and-a-half years, the company has created a number of music initiatives that includes Gibson TV, the Gibson App, Gibson Artist Collections, Gibson Gives, and the newly opened Gibson Garage located at Cummins Station in downtown Nashville. (While the guitar factories are private, the Gibson Garage offers a hands-on, interactive experience that allows people to test, try, and even custom build guitars. There is also a stage with plans for live performances by major artists in the future.) The company says these initiatives are all part of an effort to continue the evolution of collaborative artist partnerships.

A spokesman for BMG, the world’s fourth largest music company, says collaborating with Gibson on its inaugural release is a perfect match between two global brands.

“We are excited to be the worldwide partner for Slash’s new album with Miles Kennedy and The Conspirators,” said Thomas Scherer, President, BMG Repertoire and Marketing, New York, and Los Angeles, “and look forward to delivering their music to fans everywhere around the world.”

That first album is expected out sometime during the first three months of 2022.