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Launch Music Appoints Michael Gregory as Vice President Launch Music has announced the appointment of Michael Gregory as its new vice president . He comes to Launch Music with over 25 years of experience working within the pro audio , MI , and lighting industry .
“ Michael brings years of experience in distribution , branding , logistics , and sales to the Launch Music group . We are looking forward to what Michael will be able to achieve with Launch Music ’ s ever-growing portfolio of premium brands ,” says Mark Hebert , president and CEO of Cosmo Music .
Gregory served as the director of sales at SFM , where he played a significant role in reshaping SFM from a traditional , primarily retail-focused distributor to a multi-channel model . Prior to his management role at SFM , he worked as an Ontario sales representative for Loud Technologies and Behringer . Before joining Behringer , Gregory spent eight years as a recruiter for many semiconductor companies such as AnalogDevices , AMD , and Cirrus Logic .
“ I am beyond thrilled about my new role at Launch Music ,” says Gregory . “ It is very exciting to be joining a relatively new company backed by a forward-thinking leadership team that
MICHAEL GREGORY transformed the MI retail experience . It was obvious right from our initial discussions that we are aligned in our vision of the current and future state of distribution . At SFM , I straddled many worlds – pro audio , MI , lighting , staging , and projection – and I managed a very diverse group of talented individuals across multiple departments . That experience will serve me well in this new role .”
Launch Musicis is located on Cosmo Music ’ s current Richmond Hill , ON campus in the Greater Toronto Area and is the Canadian distributor of Orange , EBS , Laney , Sheeran by Lowden , Toca , and other brands .
Long & McQuade Opens New Store in Gravenhurst , ON Long & McQuade , which has more than 80 MI retail locations across Canada , has added a new location in Gravenhurst , ON . The opening of the new store stems from Long & McQuade ’ s purchase of Precision Music in the nearby town of Bracebridge . The newlyconstructed store , which will share space with a Starbucks at 1170 Muskoka Rd . S ., Unit 2 ., opened its doors on July 25 th .
Long & McQuade recently bought the name , inventory , and client list of Precision Music , which had operated for more than 40 years in Bracebridge , ON . Its founders , Keith and Kathy Lumley , have now retired as of July 2 , 2022 . Long & McQuade did not buy the 28 Manitoba St . building owned by the Lumleys .
“ Through Yorkville Sound I have had a very good relationship over the years with Keith and Kathy Lumley , the owners of Precision Music in Bracebridge . In working with Keith , we knew that there was a very vibrant market for music in the Muskoka region ,” Long & McQuade CEO and President Steve Long tells Canadian Music Trade . “ When Keith expressed interest in eventually retiring , we started looking to see if we could find a suitable building , as the original Precision location wasn ’ t really suitable for a Long & McQuade store . After a few years , we were able to find the perfect spot , and we worked out a schedule with the Lumleys where they would close and we would purchase their inventory , service all of their warranties , and look after the musical needs of the community .”
Long continues : “ While we hope to bring all of the good things that Keith was able to do for many years , we also plan to add some new product categories to the mix , and we hope that you will be able to find everything musical at our new location , from trumpets to guitars to digital pianos , as well as live sound and home recording gear . We will also be offering a lesson program .”
10 CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE