HOW TIME FLIES!
2025 marks an incredible 20 years of Kala Brand Music Co. Since 2005, Kala has stayed true to its vision to create high quality, reasonably priced ukes for players of all kinds. We enter this year with immense gratitude to all who have joined the Kala story over the years! Below is a letter written by Kala President and Founder, Mike Upton, reflecting on how Kala has grown and changed over the last 20 years.
In the spring of 2005, Leanne and I had just closed up the Hohner / HSS Santa Rosa, California warehouse. We had packed up 16 semi-trucks of gear and sent them down to the Los Angeles area. I had been encouraged over the last year by Rudi and Ilse DeGaspari to start my own ukulele company, given the rapid success of the Lanikai line that I had created for Hohner. The third uke wave had started a few years earlier.
Kala was born on July 4, 2005. I had the independence to run with the idea — and plenty of motivation — that it was possible to create high quality, reasonably priced ukes that folks could afford, play, and enjoy. It is also my belief that you can run a good business, serve people well and have a bit of fun at the same time. The rest is history, as they say.
I want to thank some very wonderful people who have made Kala what it is today: my lovely wife Wendy; my kids Hannah and Benjamin; my friend and business partner Dave Cafiero; our indefatigable Sales Director Leanne McClellon; and the army of Kala employees — past and present.
A huge thanks to all of our great players and dealers who have supported us over the years, as well as several dear souls who have passed on: my Father Gene Upton, who instilled in me a love of music; Rudi DeGaspari, who initially suggested I start a business of my own; and Clay Nakasone from Goodguys Music in Hawaii, who was a huge encouragement early on.
THANK YOU FOR 20 GREAT YEARS!
Mike Upton
President & Founder
Kala Brand Music Co.
Petaluma, CA USA
As we enter this milestone year, we are eager to share new and updated products for 2025 soon! Join us for an exciting year, and stay tuned for plenty of ways we’re celebrating.
