Music Means Business In Columbus

(Columbus, OH, Feb. 13, 2019) The Columbus Music Commission has selected veteran artist manager and major-label executive Bruce Garfield to serve as its first Executive Director.

“The creative arts in Columbus are critical to our economic future and they make living in our City fun,” said City Council President Shannon Hardin.  “We are excited to see our new Music Commission organize, advocating for live music, engaging locals in the conversation of how we build on the incredible base of talent living in Columbus.”

The city is home to five arenas and stadiums, dozens of music venues and festivals, a huge university population, growing music businesses and a fantastic talent pool with success stories such as Twenty One Pilots, O.A.R, Rascal Flatts, Saintseneca, Beartooth, Lydia Loveless and Caamp.  The Columbus Music Commission was formed in 2017 to build connections between the many elements of the creative music scene, increase educational and professional opportunities for musicians, attract audiences to live music events and to support Columbus’ rapidly growing music business infrastructure.

“This position presents the perfect opportunity for me to give back all the good the music business has given to me throughout my career,” said Garfield.  “Commencing in April 2019, Music Columbus will begin hosting networking and educational events with Columbus’ music community and a diverse array of music industry leaders; our first will be the Music Business Mondays series.  2019 will also see the launch of a Columbus, Music Everywhere initiative.”

Born in New York City, Garfield worked in Los Angeles, London and New York while serving as Capitol Record’s VP-Press and Artist Development, VP-A&R/Artist Acquisition and founding VP, A&R EMI/Manhattan/Blue Note label Group where he worked with Bob Seger, Steve Miller, Iron Maiden, Duran Duran, Natalie Cole, Grace Jones and many others. As an artist manager he guided the careers of Grace Jones, Isaac Hayes, Sinead O’Connor, Dave Mason, WAR, Inner Circle, Will Downing, The Celts and Eileen Ivers.

Marrying his wife Beth who was born and raised in Columbus provided him with the opportunity to ‘fall in love all over again, but this time it was with a city named Columbus’.  He, Beth and their 19-year-old cat Pumpkin happily reside in downtown Columbus.