• Archived Press
• Selected Press
• Press Quotes
  
• Press Releases

SMC Press Conference Announces New Collaboration

SMC, (Samick Music Corp.) hosted a press conference, during NAMM, at the Coast Anaheim Hotel January 19, 2005 with the announcement of the collaboration with nationally recognized writer, speaker and guitarist, Ravi, to be the national clinician for Greg Bennett electric guitars. Dealers and Sales Reps from all over the world came together to see a live press conference with SMC endorsee Greg Bennett and to meet the newest edition to SMC, Ravi. Throughout the press conference, Bennett and Ravi touched on many dynamics about their careers, lives and the guitar clinics they teach all around the world.

Ravi said, "The press conference was a wonderful opportunity to launch my collaboration with Greg Bennett and SMC. I am very pleased with the enthusiasm the media, as well as the company representatives and retailers present, showed for my endorsement of the product, appreciation for SMC's honorable marketing strategy, and concept for the 'Instant Guitarification' clinics, which breaks away from the traditional guitar clinic. Additionally, I look forward to continued positive relations with the press in my efforts to promote the value of independent retailers in the music instrument industry."

Greg Bennett stated, "I am thrilled with the opportunity to work with such a talented young man. Ravi understands our missions and the goal that I and SMC have, which is to design and manufacture high-quality guitars that are affordable."

SMC is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of pianos and guitars, located at 18521 Railroad Street, City of Industry CA 91748, USA. SMC manufactures and distributes Greg Bennett and Silvertone branded guitars and accessories. For more information on Greg Bennett guitars check out our website at www.samickguitar.com.

(back to top)

Songwriter/singer/guitarist RAVI will perform solo every Friday (beginning January 11th) during Happy Hour (5pm-7pm) at The Red Bike, a multicultural café in the warehouse district. America Online calls his solo show "A guitar laden trip into the world of pop...crisp and void of pretension...a viable solo act.”

Ravi, a new resident to New Orleans, has captured the attention of the public and the media in the Crescent City.  He has a new all-star band - Joe Krown on keyboards (Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown), Cornell Williams on bass (Jon Cleary's Absolute Monster Gentlemen), and Mike Barras on drums (Mulebone), and recently performed with them at House of Blues and Tipitina's.  Ravi, whether solo or with the band, can now often be heard in the finest venues around the city.

His latest project is dedicated to this city, which he now calls home.  Ravi is creating a Music Enrichment Program for the homeless children at Covenant House in New Orleans.  He plans to raise enough money to provide weekly workshops and obtain musical instruments for the homeless children to learn and enjoy on an ongoing basis.  The program will commence in 2002 following a kick-off fundraiser on New Year’s Eve at The Red Bike.  Beginning January 11, Ravi will perform every Friday during Happy Hour at the Red Bike, where fans, friends, and supporters can come and have fun and if they choose, make donations and receive updates on the Music Enrichment Program.  The Red Bike will have great drink specials and serve terrific food in a warm and friendly atmosphere.  A good time for a good cause!

Ravi, a direct descendent of the premier political family of India (grand nephew of Nehru), was hired by PolyGram/Mercury in 1997 to play guitar for that year's top selling band in the world. Subsequently, Simon & Schuster published his autobiography Dancin' with Hanson, documenting his rise to the top of the music industry with the three boys from Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1997.

Throughout his career, Ravi has appeared on over fifteen major network television programs including The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Rosie O'Donnell, Saturday Night Live, Good Morning America, and The Today Show. He has also performed at the White House Christmas Party for President Clinton and the First Family. As a visitor to New Orleans, he appeared on various music business panels as an industry expert at the LMNOP conference and at this year's "Cutting Edge" conference, and has lectured on various aspects of the music business at Loyola University. In addition, Ravi has toured the USA and Europe making personal appearances, which include both book signings and musical performances.

Songwriter/singer/guitarist RAVI, will be making his mark at CARROLLTON STATION on November 10th. He will be performing solo.

Ravi recently debuted his all-star New Orleans band - Joe Krown on keyboards (Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown), Cornell Williams on bass (Jon Cleary's Absolute Monster Gentlemen), and Mike Barras on drums (Mulebone) - at House of Blues and Tipitina's.

Ravi, a direct descendent of the premier political family of India (grand nephew of Nehru), was the guitarist of Hanson the year that they were the top selling band in the world. Subsequently, Simon & Schuster published his autobiography Dancin' with Hanson, documenting his rise to the top of the music industry with the three boys from Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1997.

However, Ravi's career began long before Hanson, supporting himself as a professional musician ever since high school - as a performer, studio session player, and producer. Ravi has also released two CDs of his own, both of which he produced and engineered. "Beyond the Blur," his most recent, features some of the finest and most renowned musicians in the New York area, including bassist Will Lee.

Throughout his career, Ravi has appeared on over fifteen major network television programs including The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Rosie O'Donnell, Saturday Night Live, Good Morning America, and The Today Show. He has also performed at the White House Christmas Party for President Clinton and the First Family. As a visitor to New Orleans, he appeared on various music business panels as an industry expert at the LMNOP conference and at this year's "Cutting Edge" conference, and has lectured on various aspects of the music business at Loyola University. In addition, Ravi has toured the USA and Europe making personal appearances, which include both book signings and musical performances.

Ravi, now a resident of New Orleans, spends most of his time between the Crescent City and New York City, where he has been based professionally for over 10 years. "I am rediscovering music as a culture - a way of life, as opposed to the heavy emphasis on business which the New York and Los Angeles music industries tend to prioritize."  Musically, Ravi has now gone back to his pre-Hanson days and rediscovered the blues and rock music that he grew up with. The local flavors have also influenced Ravi's new original music, adding some New Orleans' funk to the bluesy pop rock. "The Big Easy meets the Big Apple." Please visit www.heyravi.com for more information.

Songwriter/singer/guitarist RAVI, will be making his mark at the legendary TIPITINA'S (Uptown) this month, following his New Orleans debut last month at the House of Blues.  He has hired some of the most respected New Orleans musicians for his new band including Joe Krown on keyboards (Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown), Cornell Williams on bass (Jon Cleary's Absolute Monster Gentlemen), and Mike Barras on drums (Mulebone).  As always, each of Ravi's shows has a twist - check his website for details.

Ravi, a direct descendent of the premier political family of India (grand nephew of Nehru), was the guitarist of Hanson the year that they were the top selling band in the world.  Subsequently, Simon & Schuster published his autobiography, documenting his rise to the top of the music industry with the three boys from Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1997.  However, Ravi's career began long before Hanson, supporting himself as a professional musician ever since high school as a performer, songwriter, music teacher, and studio session player.

Throughout his career, Ravi has appeared on over fifteen major network television programs including The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Rosie O'Donnell, Saturday Night Live, Good Morning America, and The Today Show. He has also performed at the White House Christmas Party for President Clinton and the First Family. As a visitor to New Orleans, he appeared on various music business panels as an industry expert at the LMNOP conference and at this year's "Cutting Edge" conference, and has lectured on various aspects of the music business at Loyola University.  In addition, Ravi has toured the USA and Europe making personal appearances, which include both book signings and musical performances.

Ravi, now a resident of New Orleans, spends most of his time between the Crescent City and New York City, where he has been based professionally for over 10 years.  "I am rediscovering music as a culture - a way of life, as opposed to the heavy emphasis on business which the New York and Los Angeles music industries tend to prioritize."

Musically, Ravi has now gone back to his pre-Hanson days and rediscovered the blues and rock music that he grew up with.  The local flavors have also influenced Ravi's new original music, adding some New Orleans' funk to the bluesy pop rock.  "The Big Easy meets the Big Apple."

Songwriter/singer/guitarist RAVI, will be making his New Orleans debut in The Parish at the House of Blues.  Ravi has hired some of the most respected New Orleans musicians for his new band including Joe Krown (Keyboards), Cornell Williams (Bass), and Mike Barras (Drums).  Special guests who are amongst the top entertainers in New Orleans will also join him on stage; the list reads like a who's who of the New Orleans music scene (see website).  Additionally, a beautiful state of the art electric guitar - a Brian Moore "iGuitar" (a manufacturer that Ravi endorses) - will be raffled off, and there will be plenty of chances to win free copies of Ravi's CD "Beyond the Blur."

Ravi, a direct descendent of the premier political family of India (grand nephew of Nehru), was the guitarist of Hanson the year that they were the top selling band in the world.  Subsequently, Simon & Schuster published his journal from the road, Dancin' with Hanson, revealing actual stories in a behind-the-scenes look at the rise to world fame of three boys from Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1997.  Ravi has also released two CDs of his own, both of which he produced and engineered.  "Beyond the Blur," his most recent, features some of the finest and most renowned musicians in the New York area, including bassist Will Lee.

Throughout his career, Ravi has appeared on over fifteen major network television programs including The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Rosie O'Donnell, Saturday Night Live, Good Morning America, and The Today Show.  He has also performed at the White House Christmas party for President Clinton and the First Family. As a visitor to New Orleans, he appeared on various music business panels as an industry expert at the LMNOP conference and at this year's "Cutting Edge" conference, and has lectured on various aspects of the music business at Loyola University.  In addition, Ravi has toured around the country and in Europe making personal appearances, which include both book signings and musical performances during which he answers questions from the crowd.

Ravi, now a resident of New Orleans, spends most of his time between the Crescent City and New York City, where he has been based professionally for over 10 years.   "I am rediscovering music as a culture - a way of life, as opposed to the heavy emphasis on business which the New York and Los Angeles music industries tend to prioritize."  The local flavors have influenced Ravi's new original songs, adding some New Orleans' funk to his bluesy pop rock music.  "The Big Easy meets the Big Apple."

• David Malone (Guitarist of "The Radiators")
• Billy Solly (Guitarist of duet "Bill Solly & Kim Prevost")
• Jim McCormick (Singer/Songwriter - head of Nashville Songwriter Association, New Orleans Chapter)
• Others to come...check back soon!

Brian Moore Custom Guitars presents songwriter/singer/guitarist RAVI, at this year's Oyster Festival in Norwalk CT.  Ravi was the guitarist of Hanson the year that they were the top selling band in the world.  Since he last performed at the Oyster Festival in 1998, Simon & Schuster published his journal from the road, Dancin’ with Hanson, revealing actual stories in a behind-the-scenes look at the rise to world fame of three boys from Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1997; and Ravi released a new CD of his own.  “Beyond the Blur,” his most recent, features some of the finest and most renowned musicians in the New York area, including bassist Will Lee.

Throughout his career, Ravi has appeared on over fifteen major network television programs including The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Rosie O'Donnell, Saturday Night Live, Good Morning America, and The Today Show.  He has also performed at the White House Christmas party for President Clinton and the First Family.  Ravi has lectured at universities including Loyola (New Orleans), and has appeared on various music business panels as an industry expert including the LMNOP conference, and most recently, the Cutting Edge Music Business Conference in New Orleans.  In addition, Ravi has toured around the country and in Europe making personal appearances, which include both book signings and musical performances during which he answers questions from the crowd.

The Greenwich Connecticut native presently spends most of his time living, writing, and performing in New Orleans.  “I am rediscovering music as a culture - a way of life, as opposed to the heavy emphasis on business which the New York and Los Angeles music industries tend to prioritize.”  The local flavors have influenced Ravi's new original music, adding a little gumbo to his already well-crafted and polished pop/rock songs.  “The Big Easy meets the Big Apple.”

Songwriter/singer/guitarist and recording producer/engineer RAVI, will be part of the upcoming Cutting Edge Music Business beginning on Thursday, August 23rd, as both a panelist and performer.

Ravi was the guitarist of Hanson the year that they were the top selling band in the world.  Subsequently, Simon & Schuster published his journal from the road, Dancin’ with Hanson, revealing actual stories in a behind-the-scenes look at the rise to world fame of three boys from Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1997.  Ravi has also released two CDs of his own, both of which he produced and engineered.  “Beyond the Blur,” his most recent, features some of the finest and most renowned musicians in the New York area, including bassist Will Lee.

Throughout his career, Ravi has appeared on over fifteen major network television programs including The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Rosie O'Donnell, Saturday Night Live, Good Morning America, and The Today Show.  He has also performed at the White House Christmas party for President Clinton and the First Family. As a visitor to New Orleans, he appeared on various music business panels as an industry expert at the LMNOP conference, and has lectured on various aspects of the music business at Loyola University.  In addition, Ravi has toured around the country and in Europe making personal appearances, which include both book signings and musical performances during which he answers questions from the crowd.

Ravi, now a resident of New Orleans, spends most of his time between the Crescent City and New York City, where he has been based professionally for over 10 years.   “I am rediscovering music as a culture - a way of life, as opposed to the heavy emphasis on business which the New York and Los Angeles music industries tend to prioritize.”  The local Nawlins’ flavors have influenced Ravi's new original music, adding a little gumbo to his already well-crafted and polished pop/rock songs.  “The Big Easy meets the Big Apple.”