I am elated to premiere Guitar Girl Magazine’s first edition dedicated to highlighting women of color in the music industry. It is an honor to have this as my first major contribution to a platform that was specifically created for women by women.
Preorder your copies at the links below (same great content, just different covers) featuring Guitar Gabby on one cover, April Kae on one cover, both featuring Celisse on the back!
Since being a kid, I have been passionate about using my music and voice to connect those around me and connect people to the commonalities we all have with each other. From working in the business side of the industry, to the legal field, to the talent of creating music itself, the interviews in this issue give a glimpse into the backgrounds and artistry of various female musicians and entrepreneurs around the globe who have set out on their own paths to inspire.
Historically, women of color have been left out of the narrative and have been excluded from having a “seat at the table.” Within recent years, the notion of BIPOC women existing in non-inclusive spaces has shifted, and now, companies such as our issue partners PRS and Gibson and more are taking a genuine step in addressing the industry gap of diversity and inclusion.
Guitar Girl Magazine was started with the intention to empower women to pursue their calling and dreams. From Sister Rosetta Tharpe to Peggy Jones, aka Lady Bo, to Elizabeth Cotten. Calling attention to the women who came before us is necessary for the future. In this issue, we sit down with musicians of various backgrounds and cultures to celebrate the diversity of a universal language—music. We talk to some of the TxLips Gang, the collective members of my international Black female touring collective, the TxLips Band, and learn how their individual parts contribute to the overall mission of representation for girls and non-binary musicians of color.
We hear the story of Joy Pratcher, an attorney who started her career by stepping out onto a limb of faith and made one phone call that would forever change her life. Lindsay Love-Bivens, one of Taylor Guitars’ staff, shares her story about how God moved things in her life to put her on a path she didn’t know she would be on. The moving stories of all these diverse women of color are inspirational, and I hope you feel the same after reading through this edition.
We are moving into a new era of GGM and need the continued support of readers like you. We are appreciative of your support and looking forward to seeing you in our next edition.
Gabriella “Guitar Gabby” Logan
Diversity Editor, Guitar Girl Magazine
