Storm Gloor

Teaching Through the Industry…

by Steffanie Giesler

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One of the subtle secrets about Denver is that legends can be found living in the city – the festival promoters, the diehard talent buyers, the label reps, and venue owners. The people that already made it and use Denver as a place to settle or ones that discover they could become accomplished without ever really leaving.  

If you’ve never heard the name Storm Gloor, though it’s a difficult one to forget, you’ve probably still met the affiliate. He was likely holding a camera and possibly lecturing about social media and how it’s possible to still make a living as a musician today. He’s soft spoken with a bit of a southern twang, and probably never mentioned the fact he has shared stages with the likes of  Sting, the Police, and Paul McCartney.

This University of Colorado-Denver teacher is the assistant professor in the Music and Entertainment Industry Studies program, but started off managing a store of a corporation named Hastings, which sold music, movies, and other forms of entertainment. Working his way up to the director of music, Gloor began working with different record labels for distribution in Hastings.  His history of being a music connoisseur dates back. “ My love for the music business started in my early teens,” explains Gloor. I subscribed to Billboard and would read it cover to cover. I would study the charts every week in high school.” 

After working for Hastings for 13 years, Gloor was invited to speak at a college in Nashville. Gloor loved it so much he went back to school to get an MBA and started pursuing a career in teaching. “I had one of those ‘ah ha’ moments. I got such a thrill in teaching at the time.” He continues, “I plan on teaching as long as someone will let me,” jokes Gloor. “I really enjoy educating and helping artists, whether they are students or not, and I enjoy helping the Denver community.”

In a time of change between music, labels, and the way in which audiences are now consuming music, one might find the state of the music industry in a downhill spiral. Gloor, however, sees it in the opposite light. “I think it’s [the music industry] shifting in a positive direction with some major growing pains.” 

Even though this music guru has turned professor, teaching is by far not the only project on his plate. While he can be found as a guest lecturer in many places such as last year’s Denver Music Summit and doing seminars at local festivals such as last month’s Denver Post Underground Music Showcase, he is still currently exploring issues in the music industry, as well. For instance, he has currently received a grant to study the changing lyrics over time. This study, with the help of another, researches the top 30 songs of each year over the last fifty years. This project studies themes, word use, and the changes within the lyrics. Keep an eye out for this project.

Category: Planet Buzz