Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Marra.
Hi Greg, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I relocated from Pennsylvania in 1999 to Southern California in search of a more robust music scene than I currently had in Pittsburgh. The first few years of living in the Los Angeles area I attended many jam nights and was a regular at the Baked Potato – a famous jazz club in North Hollywood. Once I got in with a more upscale network of musicians and industry folks, it was a lot easier to gain traction in the music industry, and before long, I had a-lister is playing on my records and touring with me in my band.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are many ups and downs in the music industry, and for me, it was more of an adventure getting to work with musicians that I respected and in many cases, grew up listening to as a young musician in Pennsylvania. As many artists can attest to living in Southern California, you will always have your daytime hustle at the same time you are exploring, and making your way in the music industry.
We’ve been impressed with GJM Guitars, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
For many years, I’ve modified guitars and have gained knowledge through repairing my own guitars as well. In 2020, things changed dramatically in the Music business due to the global pandemic and people being stuck at home, and wanting an outlet to spend their extra time. I decided I would turn my attention to not only repairing guitars but also building and providing guitars for other artists due to the increase in instrument sales across the industry. That was the birth of GJM Guitars. My guitars are built to be played hard, offer visually pleasing aesthetics, and fretwork, fit, and finish that rival the majors.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
One of the biggest influences in my life is my dad because he always found a way to fix things without an instruction manual or help otherwise. I found myself as a young guy commonly tearing electronics apart to see how they worked as well as finding used gear and modifying and upgrading. Whenever I see someone with a strong work ethic, and a positive attitude, I’m always gravitating towards that type of personality. I have had many mentors and people that I looked up to that fit that description.
Contact Info:
- Website: gjmguitars.com
- Instagram: @gjm_guitars
- Facebook: @marramusic
- Youtube: @marramusic
