Guitar Center CEO Steps to the Mic With New ‘Inside the Noise’ Podcast

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. – January 06, 2026 – Guitar Center is trading sales floors for sound waves with the launch of its new podcast, Inside the Noise with Gabe Dalporto, a series hosted by the company’s own CEO. The move signals a significant strategic pivot for the legacy instrument retailer, aiming to reposition itself not just as a store, but as a central voice in the music industry conversation.

The podcast, which dropped its first three episodes today, features what the company describes as “behind-the-scenes conversations with the artists, innovators, and industry titans shaping today’s music landscape.” The premiere lineup is formidable, featuring interviews with former Fender CEO Andy Mooney, PRS Guitars founder Paul Reed Smith, and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. This immediate access to industry heavyweights underscores the company's ambition to offer content that transcends typical marketing.

“Since joining Guitar Center, I found myself spending significant time with the artists, innovators and executives shaping the future of instruments, performance and music culture. These conversations were highly insightful, and I thought it was a shame that everyone couldn’t be in them,” said Gabe Dalporto, Guitar Center CEO. “So, we created Inside the Noise to rip open the curtain and give everyone direct access to the people shaping the future of music.”

A New Track in a Broader Turnaround Strategy

The launch of Inside the Noise is far more than a simple content marketing initiative; it is a calculated component of a sweeping revitalization effort that has been underway since Dalporto took the helm in October 2023. The company, which navigated a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late 2020, has been on a mission to win back its core demographic: the “serious musician.”

Under Dalporto's leadership, this strategy has manifested in tangible changes. Stores are being reorganized into what he has termed “Disneyland-like experiential environments,” with premium instruments made more accessible and interactive displays like massive pedal boards encouraging hands-on engagement. This focus on in-store experience, coupled with an expanded inventory of high-end, used, and vintage gear, has already shown promise. The company reported a 6.6% growth in holiday sales for November and December, outpacing the general retail market despite a challenging year for the musical instrument sector.

This podcast extends that strategy into the digital realm. By providing free, high-value content featuring revered figures like Paul Reed Smith and Chad Smith, Guitar Center is working to build a community and foster loyalty that goes beyond the transactional. It’s a move to rebuild trust and re-establish the brand's authority and authenticity in a community that has at times been skeptical of the corporation's direction.

The CEO as Conductor

Central to the podcast's premise is the unique role of its host. Gabe Dalporto is not a typical corporate executive. As a lifelong musician and avid guitar collector with a background that includes nuclear engineering and leadership roles at tech-forward companies like LendingTree and Udacity, he brings a multifaceted perspective to the conversations.

This blend of musician’s passion and executive acumen is the podcast’s core differentiator. The series leverages his position to secure interviews with industry leaders, while his personal background allows him to engage with them on a level that resonates with a musician audience. The conversations promise to cover everything from creative processes and band chemistry to the operational and leadership insights behind iconic brands like Fender and Martin Guitar.

In the premiere episodes, Dalporto explores Fender's legacy of innovation with Andy Mooney and unpacks the entrepreneurial journey of Paul Reed Smith from a small workshop to a global brand. His sit-down with Chad Smith touches on musical roots and the importance of music education, a cause Smith champions through his own foundation. This approach aims to humanize both the industry and the Guitar Center brand itself, framing the company as a curious and passionate participant in the culture it serves.

Navigating a Crowded Soundscape

Guitar Center is not the first major music retailer to enter the podcasting arena. Its primary competitor, Sweetwater, has found success with its Plugged In Podcast, which offers a wide array of content for music makers. The broader music podcast landscape is a vibrant and crowded space, filled with shows like Song Exploder and The New Music Business that already command loyal followings.

However, Inside the Noise carves out a distinct niche. While other podcasts may focus on gear deep-dives or independent artist advice, Guitar Center’s offering is positioned as a top-down look at the industry's architecture, guided by a CEO with unparalleled access. The guest list, which includes upcoming appearances from bassist Blu DeTiger, Reverb founder Dave Kalt, and Martin Guitar CEO Thomas Ripsam, reflects an ambition to be the definitive source for high-level industry insights.

This strategy is about more than just competing for listeners; it's about claiming a leadership position. By facilitating conversations between the heads of legendary brands and iconic artists, Guitar Center is positioning itself at the center of the industry ecosystem, acting as a connector and a chronicler of music's evolution. It’s a bold play to become an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the business and craft of making music, reinforcing the idea that Guitar Center understands the industry because it is actively engaging with its leaders.

Ultimately, the success of Inside the Noise will be measured not just in downloads, but in its ability to shift brand perception. The initiative represents a significant investment in the idea that in modern retail, content is a powerful currency for building customer relationships. By giving musicians a front-row seat to the ideas and stories defining their world, Guitar Center is betting that a deeper connection to the community is the most valuable asset it can build.