Gibson Guitar Raid by FEDS on the next Open for Business.

Agents with automatic weapons raid Gibson Guitar

On August 24, 2011, around 8:45 a.m. CDT, agents for the federal government executed four search warrants on Gibson’s facilities in Nashville and Memphis and seized several pallets of wood, electronic files and guitars. Gibson had to cease its manufacturing operations and send workers home for the day, while armed agents executed the search warrants. Gibson has fully cooperated with the execution of those warrants.

Tom's guest in the 12 o'clock hour is, Dennis O’Brien, General Manager for the Acoustic Guitar Division of Gibson Musical Instruments, Inc.  All design, production and marketing for the acoustic division occurs right here in Bozeman.  The plant was moved from Nashville to Bozeman in 1986 and has produced here continuously ever since.  The company employees about 130 people and makes over 15,000 guitars per year by handcrafted traditional, as well as modern methods.  More than half of the plant’s output is exported, where international buyers seek the musical instrument as a rare American-made craft product.

Why was Gibson raided and what will that mean to Bozeman jobs? Tune in at Noon on Saturday, 9/17/ as Tom drills for answers.

Is College a Waste of Money?

At 11:30 AM Tom will talk with author James Rick who feels that college is a complete waste of time. What would James Rick like to see instead? Tune in at 11:30 to find out.

"Saturday Swap Meet" a Regular Feature on Open for Business?

Tom would like to know if you would like to see "Saturday Swap Meet" as a weekly feature in the first hour on Open for Business. Yes, No, Not Sure? Let Tom know how you feel about this addition to the show.