Bandzoogle, the most effective platform for musicians and bands to build their website and manage direct-to-fan marketing and sales, will help launch Canadian music education charity MusiCounts’ new school instrument grant increase by contributing $15,000 for the MusiCounts Band Aid Program. Previously capped at $10,000, the program now allows schools in Canada to apply for up to $15,000 in musical instruments and equipment for their music programs.
The donation is being made in honor of Bandzoogle’s 15th anniversary, which the company is celebrating this Fall. Founded in late 2003 by Chris Vinson, who now serves as Chairman, Bandzoogle started life as a single website for Vinson’s alt-rock band Rubberman. Today, the company powers over 36,000 websites for musicians, who have sold more than $36 million in music and merch commission-free through the platform.
Now led by CEO Stacey Bedford, who came onboard in 2007 as the company’s only support technician and third overall hire, Bandzoogle’s staff now consists of 25 employees who are mostly musicians themselves and all work remotely with no central office, a testament to the company’s commitment to work-life balance. This remote team has launched a record number of new tools for musicians in recent years, all without increasing the price of the subscription service. These tools include SoundScan reporting for music sales, new features to help musicians sell more music and merch, and a complete revamp of the platform’s design tools.
“Bandzoogle started out as a way to help independent artists effectively promote their music online, so it is fitting that we celebrate our 15th anniversary by helping MusiCounts nurture the next generation of musicians,” said Bedford. “Bandzoogle believes strongly in giving all children the opportunity to experience music education. We look forward to supporting a deep appreciation and understanding of music as art in future generations as we embark on our next 15 years.”
“We are thrilled to have Bandzoogle as our first $15,000 contributor since the announcement that schools can now apply for up to $15,000 in instruments and equipment via the MusiCounts Band Aid Program,” said Kristy Fletcher, Executive Director of MusiCounts. “This generous contribution from Bandzoogle will provide generations of students access to instruments and the endless benefits of music education.”
Schools can apply to the MusiCounts Band Aid Program beginning on September 17 at musicounts.ca with submissions closing on November 14. Schools selected as recipients will be notified in early 2019.
