Girls Rock! Indianapolis (GRI) is fortunate to have the support of many incredible local businesses who have donated their proceeds, time, goods and services to further the GRI mission. We are proud to announce that Guitar Center is one of the most recent sponsors added to our list of supporters.

GRI and Rock and Roll Camp for Girls (RCG) in Los Angeles (both a part of the Girls Rock Alliance) approached the national music chain to let them know about the rock camps and seek their support. That one phone call was the start of what has become a great partnership for the two local rock camps, and is developing into a potential national sponsor for the Girls Rock Alliance.

GRI co-founder, Sharon Rickson started going to Guitar Center when she was 13. “When I walked in the door, it was like I didn’t exist. The walls were lined with male rock gods and no one wanted to help me. Guitar Center is recognizing that they have overlooked the powerful place that women have in music, and they are looking at ways to change their approach. I think it’s cool that a little girl might soon be able to walk into Guitar Center with her dad and see pictures of women like Kim Gordon, Patti Smith, Neko Case and Liz Phair placed prominently on the walls with Bon Jovi and Keith Richards.”

Guitar Center has been very generous in their support of GRI, which has offset costs and allows more money to be directed toward helping campers with tuition costs. Guitar Center is providing GRI with local store credit to purchase much-needed supplies, and they also shipped a large box of strings, sticks and music books from their national headquarters. In addition, each camper and volunteer will recieve a Guitar Center gift card. Best of all, the retailer has pledged to seek out additional support from music manufacturers and distributors to help even more girls rock in the coming years.

Dialogue is continuing between GRI, RCG and Guitar Center to identify ways that they can make their stores more “girl friendly,” and also support the national Girls Rock Alliance. We’re very excited to have Guitar Center as a GRI sponsor, and hope you will make sure to thank them the next time you stop in the store.