The past eleven years has brought Founder and President of Daisy Rock Girl Guitars, Tish Ciravolo, museum inductions, awards, motivational speeches to millions of girls, billions of media impressions touting the girl guitar revolution, the world’s first girl guitar/bass instructional books/CDs/DVDs, and appearances in Guitar Hero®/Band Hero™ games. Ciravolo has also propelled the girls rock empowerment message far beyond the music industry through licensing partnerships—on top of rocking stages all over the country and most importantly, being a mother of two.

Tish grew up in Merced, California, where her best friend Barbara taught her to play the guitar while they attended El Capitan High School. Ciravolo was a quick learner, and by age 16 she was on tour with a band called Plateau. When playing in Kansas City with the group, she decided to stay in the city and enrolled in Penn Valley Community College as a journalism and business major. After receiving her degree, she relocated to

Los Angeles, where she balanced a series of crazy-making day jobs, with amateur night performances at The Improv and Comedy Store. Intent on being a rock star during those middle 1980s, she gravitated towards what would become her primary instrument, the bass. Hopping from band to band, inching ever closer but never getting to that elusive record deal, Ciravolo became the quintessential L.A. rock queen, playing in several bands including Rag Dolls, The Velvets (a female Psychedelic Furs-type outfit), They Eat Their Own (new wave pop), and eventually, her own group, Shiksa and the Sluts. Then she entered her “big hair metal phase,” hanging with the popular band Lypstik from 1988 to 1992. “We had a billboard on the side of the Roxy and everything,” she says. “We did the windmill head shaking routine when we played, which was big at the time. We were also house band at the Whisky for a time, and played in the Battle of the Bitches at FM Station.” Finding other creative outlets, Ciravolo also made two independent films (The Wake, and Birds & The Bees) and wrote a sitcom with partner Karen Peterson. “Through all those years of playing music, of great success and crushing disappointment, I always had so much fun,” Ciravolo says. “It’s physical, it’s artistic, and it’s who I am at heart. These days, I’m in this punk band called sASSafrASS, and we do covers like “Cherry Bomb” by the Runaways plus original material.” Combining a lifelong passion for making music with a desire to “level the playing field” for dedicated female guitarists and bassists of all ages, Tish Ciravolo founded Daisy Rock Girl Guitars in 2000. Ciravolo’s dream that “every girl who wants to play guitar is welcomed and inspired to do so” is centered on the love she has for her two daughters, Nicole and Sophia. In a sense, Ciravolo’s daughter Nicole is the true visionary behind Daisy Rock. When Nicole was a year and a half old, she drew a picture of a daisy, and Tish was inspired to draw a neck on it. “I was enjoying her being a child, not like so many other days when it feels like you are just trying to keep up,” Ciravolo commented. “She drew a daisy, I turned it into a guitar, and my motherly, protective, musician self decided, in that frozen moment, to create a better experience for her in the music industry. Maybe one day she

TISH CIRAVOLO - BIOGRAPHY

could walk into a music store and feel like she was welcome to be part of this “club,” this culture, this awesome community of guitarists—regardless of gender. A community that I never felt welcomed into while being a musician in the ‘80s and ‘90s. This was my chance—my duty—to change the culture and provide her and all girls with a better, more inviting experience.”

Since being founded in 2000, Daisy Rock has grown at an astonishing rate, with lifetime unit sales reaching over 175,000 guitars in total—that’s 175,000 girls whose lives are forever changed by picking up a Daisy Rock guitar! In addition, Daisy Rock remains dedicated to getting guitars into the hands of girls globally, with Daisy Rock guitars and basses now available in more than 26 countries worldwide. Offering dual guitar lines—the Debutante by Daisy Rock for beginners and the Daisy Rock line for professional players—Daisy Rock guitars are designed to better fit the needs of female guitarists of all ages, skill levels, and personalities. The Daisy Rock line for more advanced, professional players consists of dozens of high-quality, great-sounding acoustic guitars, electric guitars, acoustic-electric guitars, and bass guitars in a variety of body shapes and finishes. The Debutante by Daisy Rock line is the company’s beginner line, and consists of fun, playful acoustic and electric guitars in shapes that inspire, colors that pop, and best of all, prices that won’t break the budget. Both lines feature lightweight construction that makes the instruments easier to hold, and “Slim & Narrow” neck profiles that make the instruments easier for girls to play. Daisy Rock has also become the guitar of choice by famous professional artists from across the musical spectrum, including Avril Lavigne, Joan Jett (The Runaways), Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson, Louise Post (Veruca Salt), Miley Cyrus, Kathy Valentine and Jane Wiedlin (Go-Go’s), Vicki Peterson (The Bangles), Lisa Loeb, Wanda Jackson, Dolly Parton, Alexia Rodriguez (Eyes Set to Kill), Jackie Tohn (American Idol Season 8), and Denise Vasquez. Girls, however, aren’t the only ones having fun with Daisy Rock guitars—The Cure’s Robert Smith, The Psychedelic Furs’ Tim Butler, Chris Stein from Blondie, and Sylvain Sylvain from The New York Dolls play them, too, as do Adam Levy (Norah Jones) and Paul Leary (Butthole Surfers). Ciravolo’s focus on female empowerment and females in music has been immortalized by her induction into the Museum of Making Music—the world’s premier museum showcasing the history of the music products industry. In 2009, Tish participated in NAMM’s Oral History project and received Guitar Goddess Magazine’s “Trailblazer Award.” In 2010, Daisy Rock was inducted into The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ, and Tish received the Searchlight Scholar award from the Women's Executive Leadership Summit at the University of Wisconsin School of Business. Ciravolo’s insight and expertise on girl guitars and female empowerment has made her a sought-after and frequent contributor on national and international media outlets including USA TODAY, People, Time, Newsweek, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, FOX, VH1, the Premier Radio Network, BBC Radio, and the Associated Press.

Ciravolo’s commitment to empowering female musicians extends into the realm of book publishing and beyond. With print music publishing giant Alfred Music Publishing, she has released the award-winning titles: Girl’s Guitar Method, books 1 & 2, and Girl’s Bass Method. Ciravolo is also devoted to helping numerous causes including Make a Wish Foundation, VH-1 Save the Music, and Los Angeles Women in Music. When her high school friend, Barbara, passed due to breast cancer in 2000, Ciravolo was inspired to donate liberally to breast cancer organizations such as Susan G. Komen, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, weSpark, and many others. Daisy Rock Girl Guitars has also promoted breast cancer awareness through national ad campaigns in which Ann and Nancy Wilson were extensively involved. Ciravolo also spends tireless hours out in the community supporting the next generation of musicians by giving motivational and empowering speeches to girls everywhere, from elementary schools’ “career days” to summer rock camps like the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls and DayJams Rock Music Camps. “The most important recognition through all the media buzz, the hype, the museum inductions, and the growth? The GUITARS. Daisy Rock’s have always been really great playing and sounding guitars. That is where the movement meets the sustain, and the passion continues to grow, because the guitars are built extremely well, play fantastic, and sound amazing,” said Ciravolo. “A decade of Daisy’s, and we’ve only just begun.”

 

 

 

 

Original Girl-Guitar Company Empowering Females Worldwide and Creating The Girl Guitar Revolution Since 2000 

The past 11 years has brought Founder and President of Daisy Rock Girl Guitars, Tish Ciravolo, museum inductions, awards, motivational speeches to millions of girls, billions of media impressions touting the girl guitar revolution, the world’s first girl guitar/bass instructional books/CDs/DVDs, and appearances in Guitar Hero®/Band Hero™. Tish has propelled the girls rock empowerment message far beyond the music industry through licensing partnerships—on top of rocking stages all over the country and most importantly, being a mother of two. And that was just the first 11 years…….. The idea for Daisy Rock Girl Guitars was sparked from a drawing by Ciravolo’s daughter in the beginning of 2000. “The day my daughter Nicole made that drawing, it was like any other day,” Ciravolo reminisced. “She was the cutest 1 year old, and her favorite thing to draw was daisies” said Ciravolo. “I was enjoying her being a child, not like so many other days when it feels like you are just trying to keep up. She drew a daisy, I turned it into a guitar, and my motherly, protective, musician self decided, in that frozen moment, to create a better experience for her in the music industry. Maybe one day she could walk into a music store and feel like she was welcome to be part of this “club,” this culture, this awesome community of guitarists—regardless of gender. A community that I never felt welcomed into while being a musician in the ‘80s and ‘90s. This was my chance—my duty—to change the culture and provide her and all girls with a better, more inviting experience.”

Forging a new and unique path in a heavily male-dominated industry, Daisy Rock Girl Guitars made an immediate impression. Receiving acclaim from artists, press, and others in the music field, Ciravolo knew Daisy Rock was on a successful path. “Then, pink guitars popped up everywhere like wild weeds in the land of Daisy’s. Everyone tried it. Everyone embraced it.” Ciravolo continued, “The guitar industry acknowledged the change, and the music store dealer gladly accepted a new customer. And the artists believed in the passion and understood the mission.” The first artist to contact Daisy Rock was Wanda Jackson, “Queen of Rockabilly” and recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee who praised that Daisy Rock Girl Guitars “fit girls in all the right places.” Now 11 years later, the company boasts an artist roster of over 400 rockin’ females, and that number is increasing every day.

Daisy Rock Girl Guitars has also become the leading sponsor of girl rock camps throughout the world. In 2000, Daisy Rock partnered with the Rock and Roll Camp for Girls, one of the very first rock camps specifically geared towards females, by donating instruments. Ciravolo remembered, “I just wanted to try and inspire every single female to pick up a guitar or bass and play music. Make it matter; make it a part of her life. I wanted to help girls find their passion, live their dreams, and be part of this crazy thing that we all create… music.” Girl rock camps have grown exponentially over the last 11 years, and Daisy Rock is a proud partner and main supporter of all girl rock camps worldwide. All in all, within the past 11 years, Daisy Rock has helped over 175,000 girls play guitar.

Available in 26 countries, Daisy Rock Girl Guitar continues to seek new ways to reach females around the world and support their dreams of playing guitar. “The most important recognition through all the media buzz, the hype, the museum inductions, and the growth? The GUITARS. Daisy Rock’s have always been really great playing and sounding guitars. That is where the movement meets the sustain, and the passion continues to grow, because the guitars are built extremely well, play fantastic, and sound amazing,” commented Ciravolo.

 

 

 

 

2000 Daisy Rock Girl Guitars founded. 1st Daisy guitars born. Company debuts at Rockrgrl Conference in Seattle, WA. Courtney Love signs guitar.

1st shipment of guitars arrives 2 days before Christmas. Tish Ciravolo decides to ship orders overnight so girls can enjoy their guitars for the holiday.

2002 Daisy Rock received mass media press from People, Time, and Newsweek—in addition to appearing on The Today Show.

Cartoon Network contacts Daisy Rock to make custom guitars.

Alfred Music Publishing contacts Tish Ciravolo to write the world’s first Girl’s Guitar Method instructional book.

2004 Daisy Rock Girl Guitars spreads the girl rock revolution through Europe with additional international distributors.

Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson partner with Daisy Rock for a national breast cancer awareness campaign.

The 1st Daisy Rock “Pretty in Punk” charity event is held in Los Angeles, with proceeds benefiting breast cancer research.

2006 Daisy Rock Girl Guitars is formally recognized in the music products industry as the first girl-guitar company. The company is inducted into The Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, CA.

Daisy Rock receives national attention with a segment about girl guitars on CNN.

Daisy Rock expands international presence by launching in Japan.

2008 Daisy Rock Girl Guitars extends its female empowerment brand message beyond the music industry via licensing partnerships.

Daisy Rock expands international presence by launching in Brazil.

2010 Daisy Rock Girl Guitars appears on CNN and MSNBC with major feature stories.

Daisy Rock is inducted into the Musical Instruments Museum in Phoenix, AZ.

Tish Ciravolo awarded for extraordinary leadership and positive impact on future female leaders ~ from the Women’s Executive Leadership Summit at the University of Wisconsin School of Business.

2001

Daisy Rock attends its 1st Winter NAMM Show. Ciravolo is met with resistance and is perceived as a serious competitor. She strikes up deals with dealers to take guitars on consignment to prove the need amongst girls for a new type of guitar.

Press within Teen magazine introduces the world to Daisy Rock Girl Guitars.

Philanthropy efforts begin as the first Daisy Rock Girl Guitar donations go to Brooklyn inner-city schools.

“Queen of Rockabilly,” Wanda Jackson contacts Ciravolo to be an endorsed artist, raving the guitars “fit girls right.”

2003 Alfred Music Publishing partners with Tish Ciravolo and starts to distribute Daisy Rock Girl Guitars.

Daisy Rock Girl Guitars goes international with distribution in the U.K. and Australia.

Daisy Rock launches professional line of Stardust series guitars.

2005 Tween sensation, Miley Cyrus is introduced to Daisy Rock Girl Guitars. She receives her first guitar at the Country Music Awards.

Tish Ciravolo authors the world’s first girl’s bass guitar instruction book.

Tish Ciravolo appears on BBC radio. Tish Ciravolo becomes the first woman elected into the GAMA board of directors. (GAMA helps schools start guitar programs. Their efforts have resulted in over 2,000 new guitar programs and over 500,000 new guitar players.)

2007 Daisy Rock introduces the Rock Candy: Pink Label electric guitar, born from a collaborative effort between Tish Ciravolo, and guitar luthier to the stars, John Carruthers.

Daisy Rock Girl Guitars introduces the Debutante by Daisy Rock line, specifically geared toward the beginning guitarists.

2009 Daisy Rock appears in USA TODAY feature cover story. Daisy Rock Girl Guitars is featured in the year’s highly anticipated video games, Guitar Hero 5® and Band Hero™.

Tish Ciravolo participates in NAMM’s Oral History project.

 

 

 

 

“Word on the Street”

Guitar Player Magazine

“…I’d totally trust Daisy Rock owner Tish Ciravolo with my afterlife. She didn’t just blah-blah-blah about her mission to get more girls (and adult females) playing guitar, she started a guitar company to make instruments better suited for women. . .She and her guitars have appeared on various broadcast new shows, as well as in magazine such as Newsweek, People, Elle Girl, Interview Entrepreneur, and Girl’s Life. . .the company has unquestionably dispatched a very loud call to arms”

Carolyn Grant, Executive Director: Museum of Making Music

“The Daisy Rock prototype on display at the Museum of Making Music is a symbol of the innovation, creativity, savvy and dedication that makes this industry great. We are proud to give it its place in history. And Tish’s donation of a dazzling Daisy Rock for our interactive room will certainly encourage more young women to pick up an electric guitar!”

Frank Alkyer, Associate Publisher & Editorial Director: Music Inc. & UpBeat Daily

“Tish Ciravolo and Daisy Rock took a desert and turned it into a garden. Before Daisy Rock, there were a few attempts to create a guitar geared for women, but none took hold. More women showed up in retailer stores on posters—posing scantily-class with guitar—than as customers. Retailers, the smart ones, often wondered how to attract “that other 50 percent of potential customers.” Daisy Rock has turned that around, and in the process opened up a whole new market of girls and women who want guitars made to fit their hands, their body and their fashion sensibilities. In my mind, Daisy Rock should be considered one of the most important developments in the history of guitars. Since it was founded in 2000, it’s certainly the most important development in this decade.”

Brian Majeski, Editor: The Music Trades

“The Daisy Rock guitar has broken new ground with an instrument tailored for the 50% of the population the rest of the industry seems to have overlooked. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, they have received compliments from guitar makers around the world.”

Ron Manus, CEO: Alfred Music Publishing

“It is amazing what Tish Ciravolo and Daisy Rock has accomplished. By making quality instruments for girls who have traditionally been overlooked, she has opened the doors to a much larger audience and inspired all of us to do better. Tish’s clear vision of a new future for women in music is the single most exciting change in this industry in the last 20 years. Female musicians are now empowered, growing in numbers, and are a force to be reckoned with, and for that we all owe Tish and Daisy Rock a lot more than words can express.”

Evan Skopp, VP Sales & Marketing: Seymour Duncan

“Congratulations, Tish, on your induction into the Museum of Making Music. You deserve it. You’ve single-handedly created a whole new category in our industry. Daisy Rock rocks and we’re proud to be on your team.”

John Roderick, VP Marketing: J. D’Addario & Company Inc.

“I’ve had the great fortune to be close to innovative people both in music and in business allowing me to contribute in the development of several innovative marketing programs and products. As soon as I met Tish and the Daisy Rock team, I knew their product was innovative, professional, right on time and more importantly, from the heart. We at D’Addario are proud to be a friend and supplier to Daisy Rock.”

Alan Friedman, CPA, Partner: Friedman, Kannenberg & Company, PC.

“When I think about Daisy Rock Girl Guitars, I think about three things... their quality and playability is better than some guitars I have that cost three times as much, they’re priced at a level that every player can afford, and they make 50-year old accountant guitar players who use them look totally cool. What more can I say other than I love my Daisy Rock guitars?

Ronald S. Bienstock, Senior Partner: Bienstock & Michael, P.C. (Prior to forming the Law Offices of Ronald S Bienstock, Ron was publisher and editor-in-chief of International Musician & Recording World. In 1991, Ron was voted one of the top 100 “Most Influential People In The Music Business” by BAM Magazine)

“We are very proud of what Tish and all of you at Daisy Rock have accomplished.”

Wanda Jackson, Queen of Rockabilly and 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee

“A special guitar made just for us girls... It’s About Time!!! Thank You Tish for giving us Daisy Rock!”