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Joe Kirgues
(414) 940-3287
Rodriguez leads Backline’s 12-week accelerator program and free workshops to help Milwaukee musicians succeed
MILWAUKEE – Backline, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee (WYMS-FM 88.9) and business accelerator gener8tor’s music initiative, has hired Enrique “Mag” Rodriguez as its first Program Director.
Rodriguez will lead the Backline program, an initiative to educate and fund Milwaukee musicians, establish Milwaukee’s reputation as an emerging music city and help Milwaukee companies attract and retain young employees.
Rodriguez’s deep roots in the Milwaukee music scene include serving as the talent manager for Milwaukee musician IshDARR and as owner and head engineer of Milwaukee’s Magic Studios.
“It is a great honor to be Backline’s inaugural Program Director,” Rodriguez said. “The Milwaukee music scene is on the cusp of something incredibly special and Backline will be a part of making sure that local musicians have the opportunity to break out and succeed.”
“To be able to bring on a Program Director with strong ties to the Milwaukee music scene was a priority for Backline and Enrique is the perfect fit,” said gener8tor Co-Founder Joe Kirgues. “We can’t wait to work with Enrique to build a program to support a broad and diverse group of talented musicians.”
Backline will run one 12-week accelerator session this year and hopes to offer two sessions a year starting in 2019. The first free Backline workshop will be Saturday, June 2, at 2pm at Radio Milwaukee.
Backline is funded by organizations including Northwestern Mutual, Novo Foundation, Manpower, Quarles & Brady, Summerfest, VISIT Milwaukee and the Maihaugen Foundation. Individual donors include Lynde Uihlein, Sarah and Steve Zimmerman, Kyle and Ruthie Weatherly, John Crouch, Kelly Fitzsimmons, John and Brigid Miller, Gary Reynolds, Ross and Angela Williams, Josh and Sandi Adams, Ignacio and Susan Catral, Juli Kaufmann, C.J. Krawczyk, Patrick Guarasci, Jeff Rusinow and Lacey Sadoff.
Bentoff Communications and the Hal Leonard Corporation are providing in-kind support. Backline is seeking additional donors.
About 88Nine Radio Milwaukee
A non-profit, community-funded radio station, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee (WYMS-FM 88.9) has focused on supporting Milwaukee musicians since its 2007 launch. The station plays at least one Milwaukee artist per hour, recognizes Milwaukee music through its annual Radio Milwaukee Music Awards, broadcasts a live weekly session with a Milwaukee band and spins Milwaukee music 24/7 via its HD2 broadcast radio channel and online at 414Music.fm. Learn about 88Nine and stream the station at www.radiomilwaukee.org or via the 88Nine mobile app.
About gener8tor
gener8tor is a nationally ranked accelerator that invests in high-growth startups. gener8tor supports the growth of these startups through its network of experienced mentors, technologists, corporate partners, angel investors and venture capitalists. gener8tor is a proud member of the Global Accelerator Network (GAN) and is sponsored by American Family Insurance. gener8tor is a GOLD-tier accelerator in the U.S. as ranked by the Seed Accelerator Rankings Project. Learn more about gener8tor at www.gener8tor.com.
