Helping Musical Instrument and Pro Audio Brands Share Their Stories with Clarity and Impact

I have had the privilege of working as a musician, music journalist, and musical instrument marketer for more than three decades—experiences that have given me a unique perspective on communication within those spheres—and I have the knowledge and skills to help you tell your story.

As the Marketing Communications Manager for Yamaha Guitar Group, I helped develop compelling brand voices for the Line 6, Ampeg, and Yamaha guitar & bass brands and created marketing content for more than 25 products. As the Line 6 Product Marketing Manager, I devised go-to-market plans for more than a dozen products.

Through Barry Cleveland Communications, I now write most of the marketing materials for Line 6, Córdoba, Guild, and Ampeg, with additional clients including Fender, Empirical Labs, Wave Distro, and Neyrinck.

I also served as an editor at Guitar Player magazine from 2002 to 2014, interviewing hundreds of artists—ranging from megastars to the comparatively obscure—and reviewing countless guitars, amps, effects, recording tools, and other gear.

As a guitarist, composer, recordist, producer, and mixer, I know what it’s like to be on the other side of the conversation, which has enabled me to communicate with artists, readers, and customers with firsthand knowledge.

Contact

Services Include

Brand Marketing
Product Marketing
Dealer Copy and Tag Lines
Blog Strategy & Editorial
Press ReleasesOnline Content
Social Media Content
Digital & Print Advertising

Originally recruited to Line 6 in a Product Marketing role, Barry quickly demonstrated his extensive product and industry knowledge and the depth and strength of his relationships. As we expanded, he seamlessly transitioned into a Marketing Communications role.
Simon Jones
Simon JonesDirector of Marketing, Yamaha Guitar Group
Barry has decades of technical, marketing, and creative writing experience and writes in a friendly style that distills the technical down to something all levels can understand. He also possesses first-hand knowledge of what he writes about.
John Loose
John LooseDirector of Audio Production, Dolby Labs
Barry literally changed my life when he wrote the very first review of our EL8 Distressor and effectively put it and our fledgling company, Empirical Labs, on the map. Most recently, Barry created marketing materials for a new product launched at the 2025 NAMM show.
Dave Derr
Dave DerrPresident/Chief Engineer, Empirical Labs Inc.
Even after two decades in this industry, it’s exceedingly rare to find someone with more talent or creativity than Barry. He oversaw the launches of many successful Line 6 products—and singlehandedly created Model Citizens, a wildly popular brand-agnostic blog.
Eric Klein
Eric KleinChief Product Design Architect, Yamaha Guitar Group
As Product Marketing Manager for Line 6, Barry led launches for some of the brand's most successful and influential products. His ability to strategize, create, and write is complemented by his ability to collaborate and foster positive working relationships.
Matt Ferguson
Matt FergusonDirector of Content Marketing, Yamaha Guitar Group
During my tenure as Senior Director, Product Management at YGG, I had the pleasure of working with Barry for several years. He has consistently surprised me with his vast experience and deep insights into the minds of musicians and MI consumers.
Adrian Haselhuber
Adrian HaselhuberVP Product - Hardware (Fender & PreSonus)
While Barry was the YGG Marketing Communications Manager, he and I worked together in creating marketing messaging for multiple Ampeg products. Barry is an asset at every level.
Dino Monoxelos
Dino MonoxelosAmpeg Brand Marketing Manager, Yamaha Guitar Group
Working with Barry has been a consistently outstanding experience. His writing and communication skills are second to none—he’s clear, compelling, and always on point—and his insights are both strategic and deeply informed.
Dan Boul
Dan BoulPresident, 65amps
Scroll to Top