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Charese Fruge’ (@MCMediaonline) Talks To Erica Krusen
July 12, 2022
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Erica Krusen is the newly appointed Senior Director of Global Cultural Influence at Gibson Brands and Gibson Gives, the charitable arm of Gibson Brands. She’s a renowned advocate for health and wellness in the music industry as a result of her 15 years as the Managing Director of MusiCares, the charitable partner of The Recording Academy. While she was there, she expanded programs nationwide that addressed medical, dental, and hearing health, as well as mental health and addiction recovery services for the music industry. She holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology and is a licensed, therapist working in the entertainment industry. She regularly facilitates workshops and seminars within the music community and is a guest speaker and moderator at professional conferences around the country.
Erica breaks down her new role with Gibson for us and why it’s so important to her. “This position will help expand Gibson’s partnerships, entertainment relations, events and the foundation globally,” she says. “I am so excited to help support our partner initiatives, build brand awareness and create a positive social impact with the foundation to make music matter…one guitar at a time.” She’s confident in what she needs to be successful moving forward. “A successful working environment needs to have great leadership that inspires and motivates their employees, and more importantly, they need to be open to and listen to feedback and find the potential in people.”
“I’m very lucky in my new position,” Erica adds. “The leadership at Gibson is truly remarkable. Likely the most passionate group of hard-working people that I have ever seen. They take care of their employees through the Gibson GoldTop Foundation, make everyone feel valued and they have a lot of badass women running the company!”
What’s interesting about Erica, who by the way is a licensed therapist and still practices, is how she got into the music industry. “In 1999, I was introduced to the Executive Director of the Recording Academy’s PNW chapter. From there I began volunteering for MusiCares and other local nonprofits in the Seattle area,” she explains. “In Seattle, I quickly learned how important the music industry is to that community and how the roots of the Grunge era built so much of that town. I was at shows all the time, we had several friends that were music professionals, and my son was quickly picking up a love for music. I saw such a great need for support in this industry and knew I wanted to be a part of it and could help in some way.”
She joined MusiCares officially as Director of Health and Human Services in 2007 and eventually became Managing Director. “Working at MusiCares over the years, we were able to build programs, grow the brand and help so many people in need,” says Krusen. “While there, MusiCares was able to increase their programs and services from 1100 clients and $1,400,000 distributed in 2007 to over 38,000 clients and more than $28 million dollars distributed during the COVID pandemic.”
Those are major accomplishments for such a specialized organization and industry, and one that does not go unnoticed, as years of research have proven that music can provide relief and sometimes cure many things, especially mental health. But a complex profession such as Erica’s does not come without its challenges. “Watching music people struggle to rebuild after natural disasters, losing financial security during covid and accidental deaths due to fentanyl poisoning are some of the toughest challenges that I have worked tirelessly with my colleagues to address and find as many resources as possible for any individual that came our way,” she says. “Learning to do as much as you can and knowing you can’t fix everything, and everyone is a lesson I am still learning. I feel privileged to have a home, healthy children, and a job, but I know how quickly one can lose all of that so I just remain grateful and do what I can to help support those in need.”
It's no secret that the music industry is still a predominantly male dominated industry, but Erica continues to break the ceiling and has great advice for Women looking to get into the business. “Support other women trying to make it in any industry. Too many people find competition in their roles and begin working in silos,” she says. “I want to tell everyone that we all shine brighter when we work together. We can make a much bigger impact when there is more than just one of us. Three words always-Collaborate, Communicate, and Support. If you are doing those three things, then you will go far.”
I think it’s safe to assume that Erica has worked with some amazing people throughout her career who have had a major influence on her, but one of her most memorable experiences always comes to mind. “I remember having a long conversation with Olivia Harrison (George Harrison’s widow) about the many ways we should support the people in the music industry who give us so much joy each day. And then I watched Olivia actually do it, by putting pen to paper with multiple 0’s.”
One thing you’d be surprised to know about Erica is that she’s been in the music business for years, is married to a singer/songwriter/producer/guitarist, and now works for a major guitar brand, but “I can’t play one note on the guitar,” she laughs. “But I could sit all day in a Gibson factory and watch the hundreds of hands that touch a guitar from start to shiny finish and be amazed and in awe of the craftsmanship every single day.”
What keeps Erica up at night? “Making sure my kids are happy, healthy, at ease and enjoying their lives,” she says. But she’s managed to find balance for her family with her busy schedule. Her husband Kevin is her main source. “He might very well be the most patient man on the planet and brings a sense of calm to my world,” says the newlywed. And in her spare time, “What spare time?” she asks. “I love to travel to different cities and countries as often as possible, gaining a new perspective on how others live, work, eat and play,” she says. She’s also binging the good stuff when she can. “Stranger Things,’ ‘The Old Man,’ ‘Someone Somewhere.’ I’m ready for season 2!”
As for what we have to look forward to from Erica, she’s got one priority. “We are going to make Gibson Gives one of the most recognized, leading music industry charities in the world!” Follow Erica Krusen and her journey with Gibson Gives on Instagram @Gibson
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