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Gene Joly
Executive Vice-President of Stores


Keith Brawley
Vice President of Merchandising and Creative

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Clyne Media, Inc.
Tel: (615) 662-1616
Fax: (615) 662-1636

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GUITAR CENTER AND MUSICIAN’S FRIEND ANNOUNCE EXEC CHANGES

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA, October 22, 2008 — The nation’s largest retailer of musical instruments, Guitar Center, Inc., announces several changes in its executive management team, effective immediately.

A veteran of the music industry with over 30 years of experience, Gene Joly has been promoted to Executive Vice-President of Stores, with responsibility for sales in the chain’s 214 locations. Joly is returning to the retail division of the company after spending three successful years in the Medford, Oregon-based direct-response division of the company, where he most recently served as EVP/General Merchandising Manager. Prior to his duties at Guitar Center, Joly’s extensive industry experience included executive positions at Tascam, Thoroughbred Music and E.U. Wurlitzer Music in Boston.

He will report to Greg Trojan, President and COO of Guitar Center, Inc. who stated, “We are thrilled to have a dynamic executive of Gene’s caliber to head up our store efforts, and we are confident his leadership will result in positive changes for our customers and our store associates”.

Guitar Center also promoted another 30-year-plus industry veteran, Keith Brawley, to the position of Vice President of Merchandising and Creative at the company’s direct-response division, Musician’s Friend, where he will oversee both the Purchasing and Creative teams producing the company’s catalog and Internet efforts. For the past five years, Brawley has served as Vice President of Merchandising for the company’s Guitar & Amplifier division. Prior to joining Guitar Center, Brawley had extensive experience with Brawley Guitars, Fender Musical Instruments, Washburn International, Sunn Musical Equipment and independent retailer World Music in southern California.

Brawley will report to Craig Johnson, President and COO of Musician’s Friend, who said, “Keith brings a world of knowledge to the company. I look forward to his leadership in guiding our merchandising and creative vision to help me ensure that we are providing the best multi-channel merchandise and value in the industry.”

Photo Files: GeneJoly.JPG, KeithBrawley.JPG


About Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the leading United States retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. Our retail store subsidiary presently operates more than 200 Guitar Center stores across the U.S. In addition, our Music & Arts division operates more than 100 stores specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and students. We are also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the United States through our wholly owned subsidiary, Musician's Friend, Inc., and its catalog and Web site, www.musiciansfriend.com. More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the Company's Web site at www.guitarcenter.com.

The Guitar Center logo is a registered trademark of Guitar Center, Inc. Other brand or product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Clyne, Clyne Media, Inc., at (615) 662-1616


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