Invitation to international festival is music to local guitar maker’s ears - 24 July 2009
Margaret River guitar maker Scott Wise’s profile in the music world is on the rise with an invitation to showcase his hand-crafted instruments at the 2009 Healdsburg Guitar Festival in California next month.
Considered one of the world’s premier guitar events and featuring 130 of the best luthiers from around the globe, the event will present Mr Wise with the opportunity to meet hundreds of potential buyers.
He is already on track to cracking the potentially lucrative American market, thanks to a burgeoning market for his ukuleles in Hawaii and endorsements from renowned musicians such as Hawaiian artist Douglas Tolentino and American bluesman Eric Bibb.
Mr Wise said the inclusion of Australian wood, such as Western Australian wandoo, was a key selling point with his guitars.
“Australian wood has a great tonal quality and is giving me a point of difference overseas,” he said.
The South West Development Commission’s TradeStart Export Adviser, Mat Lewis, has been helping Mr Wise prepare for his upcoming promotional visit which includes stops in Hawaii, Seattle and San Francisco in the lead-up to the annual Healdsburg Guitar Festival in August.
“Scott has a quality product and when you consider musicians such as Eric Bibb are already singing his praises, there’s a lot of potential,” Mr Lewis said.
“Promotional opportunities like the Healdsburg Guitar Festival can only help to lift the profile of the South West’s creative industries,” he said.
The South West Development Commission's TradeStart office offers practical advice, market intelligence and ongoing support to Australian businesses looking to develop international markets.
Mat Lewis can be contacted by emailing mat.lewis@swdc.wa.gov.au or phoning 9792 2000.
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Media contact:
Teneille Watson
Community Relations Officer