Our Mission
To provide low income and emerging musicians access to recording studio time to further the growth of music and music education.
Broken Rocks will support artists in the creation of their craft. We will provide state of the art technology where industry expertise is surpassed only by personal integrity. Acclaimed professionals will offer mentorship and guidance to emerging artists' success and further the growth of music.
Our Directors
Mark McGraw
Director
Mark McGraw is retired from a career in mountain rescue and avalanche control on Mt Hood in Oregon. His philanthropic work started 24 years ago with Ukandu, a non-profit organization helping families impacted by pediatric cancer. He is currently a program volunteer, donor, as well as the board chair for Ukandu. Following in the esteemed footsteps of his family, starting with the example set by his Grandparents and Parents , Mark is starting Broken Rocks to give back to the artists and reflect the joy they have given him throughout his life. In his spare time he likes to play a little golf and restore vintage bicycles.
Tony Braunagel
Director
Tony Braunagel grew up in Houston Texas, where he started playing drums professionally at the age of 15. In 1971 he moved to New York to try to expand his horizons as a musician. This led to an opportunity to move to London to work for Island Records as a studio musician. He then started traveling and touring with bands from England and into Europe. Moving back to the United States in 1979 he found himself planted in Los Angeles, where he has been ever since. He has toured extensively with many well-known artists such as Ricky Lee Jones, Eric Burdon, Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, The Blues Brothers, Robert Cray and Taj Mahal. He also became very involved in the recording scene in Los Angeles playing on film and TV scores as well as many albums.. He’s been on several Grammy award winning records. He started producing in the late 90s and as of today has produced over 40 albums one of which also won a Grammy for his dedicated work. At this point in Tony‘s life he’s just looking for good things to do for others. This opportunity with Broken Rocks, with his production knowledge and experience, will help artists achieve their dreams which aligns perfectly with Tony’s life intention..
Mike Zito
Executive Director
Mike Zito grew up in St. Louis Missouri and began playing music professionally by the age of 18. He played every club the city had to offer for the next dozen years honing his craft as a singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Mike moved to Southeast Texas in 2002 to work for Fender Musical Instruments and began playing his music in the Lone Star State.
He signed his first recording contract in 2007 with Eclecto Groove Records in Los Angeles. Mike began touring the world playing his music and singing his songs. He started producing records professionally in 2010, working for Ruf Records in Germany. He signed and worked for Ruf Records for the next decade. He recorded and produced over 25 albums for Ruf Records. In 2018, Mike and his partner Guy Hale started their own record label, Gulf Coast Records. Six years later, Gulf Coast Records is now an internationally known record label with over 30 releases and 23 artists to date.
Mike has had 5 number one Billboard Blues charting albums and has won 9 Blues Music Awards.
The idea and concept of Broken Rocks is very important to Mike. Helping musicians get their start and make their musical dreams become a reality is a lifelong goal. Most musicians do not understand the business and work ethic it takes to work professionally. Broken Rocks will not only help musicians record their music, but help them to get a head start in a very competitive field. Mike is excited to share his experience with artists to help them not only create new music but reach their goals as artists.
A letter from our Executive Director
Hello,
This is Mike Zito. We have been working hard with the city of Wildwood, Mo. to secure permits and zoning for our property on Pinhook Hollow Dr. Unfortunately, it's just not going to work out. After many meetings with the Planning and Zoning Committee and City Counsel, it seems we are better suited for a more "urban" setting. The Mayor, and all of the city officials have been wonderful in Wildwood and have supported us every step of the way. We are now heavily focused on the greater St. Louis metropolitan area for our recording facility. We feel the city will give us the possibility of commercial property in a neighborhood that would support our mission. We are very excited as we look at several promising locations and properties. We continue to keep the focus on the music and the artists that deserve our help. As a native St. Louisan, I am thrilled with this new direction.
Please stay tuned as we move forward. Our future looks bright indeed!
Sincerely,
Mike Zito
Executive Director Broken Rocks
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Contact us.
info@brokenrocks.org