"Not Bad For A Girl" - Tish Ciravolo Smashes the MI Glass Ceiling with Daisy Rock Guitars

By Alison Richter

When Tish Ciravolo launched Daisy Rock Guitars almost two decades ago, it wasn’t to get rich or capitalize on a particular demographic. Her intention was a natural extension of the challenges she had faced as a woman and bassist: finding a properly sized and weighted instrument that would fit comfortably in her hands and around her neck, and a company that would nurture instead of patronize, and encourage rather than condescend.

From NAMM shows to stages to music stores, Ciravolo witnessed and experienced gender bias that left women of all ages feeling excluded, trivialized, and uncomfortable. she was determined to fill that void with specialized guitars and basses, as well as a welcoming online presence where women could gather and connect.

The Daisy Rock prototype was simple: a daisy drawn on paper by her daughter Nicole when she was 18 months old. In Ciravolo’s mind and hand, the stem became a neck and a leaf became a headstock. she presented the idea to her husband, Michael Ciravolo, president of schecter Guitars, and an instrument was born. Initial response to the first Daisy Rock booth at NAMM was predictable: the guitar was “cute,” but it would never take off, at least not according to countless men who viewed it as a curiosity or a one-off. Millions of instruments sales later, Ciravolo is enjoying the last laugh — and the satisfaction of knowing that she has changed the world for young women who aspire to play. last year brought changes to Daisy Rock. A 14-year distribution partnership with Alfred Music Publishing ended when the company, under new leadership, decided to focus solely on books. Ciravolo signed a global distribution and licensing agreement with KMC Music, which saw the reintroduction of twenty Daisy Rock models at the 2017 winter NAMM show. This year, Daisy Rock is presenting a ukulele line, and some new guitar designs are in the works for late spring/early summer. Ciravolo is optimistic about what’s ahead for Daisy Rock and its role in bringing more women of all ages into the music industry.