Pacific Records® is a Southern California based record label that incorporates all aspects of the music business including marketing, production, and distribution services. Since its founding by entertainment attorney Brian Witkin in 2003, Pacific Records has evolved from its humble beginnings as a retail record store chain into a multi-dimensional entity that includes recording studios, engineering services, music merchandising and talent buying services, while its primary focus remains as an independent record label and music publisher.
From the very beginning, Pacific Records has focused on releasing a diverse range of music, from rock to hip-hop, classical guitar to reggae. Notable albums and singles include recordings by hard rockers Sprung Monkey and the final release by Lemmy Kilmister (Motörhead), as well as pop hitmakers O-Town, who performed their single “Off” on CBS-TV’s The Late Late Show with James Corden.
The label is also involved with television and movies. Amongst other projects, Pacific Records has issued the soundtracks to the syndicated series of specials, America Salutes You: Guitar Legends, hosted by Billy Gibbons and featuring such notables as Nancy Wilson, George Thorogood, Dave Navarro, and Warren Haynes. Meanwhile, they’ve provided the soundtrack to the 2017 film, 911, starring Charlie Sheen, with music from Robert Randolph, Patti Smyth and others. Pacific Records has also had success placing their artists music in major projects including reggae combo Sandollar (CBS-TV’s “Magnum PI,” Netflix “Outer Banks” etc.) and singer-songwriter Lindsay Perry (ABC-TV’s “Once Upon A Time”, Marvel’s “Jessica Jones” etc.), with the labels releases featured in the likes of Rolling Stone, Variety and Entertainment Tonight.
Pacific Records has also released music from numerous up and coming performers. Singer Rebecca Jade and Jason Mraz’s single “Bad Wolves” was a 2020 highlight, taking home the 2021 San Diego Music Award for “Song of the Year.” That same year reggae artist Skyler Lutes took home an SDMA trophy for his album, Rewind. Meanwhile, Pacific Records has also reissued classic works, such as legendary vocalist Southside Johnny and Richie LaBamba Rosenberg’s, Grapefruit Moon.
Additionally, Pacific Records maintains a strong partnership with 16,000 seat AEG / ASM Glob Globals’ Pechanga Arena. The label provides showcase opening acts for the major touring performers playing at the venue inside the Stella Artois Lounge. Pacific Records also has a strong festival presence, including Southern California’s Wonderfront Music and Arts Festival, where the label hosted talent on multiple stages and onboard ferry boats culminating in the Guitar Legends III concert and filming during the festival’s finale, which later aired on the CW Network.
Pacific Records management team includes award winning record producers, studio engineers, hit songwriters, veteran music publishers and experienced professionals
in all facets of the music industry.
But most importantly, Pacific Records is run by creators who truly love music.
Senior Executives
Brian Witkin
CEO and Founder
Brian Witkin is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Records. A musician before he went into the business of music, Brian oversees Pacific’s daily business operations and the company’s business development. Brian heads the publishing division of Pacific Records, that has established itself as an industry leader in film and advertising partnerships.
Brian has spent nearly two decades in the record business and continues to be musically active as an artist, songwriter, and record producer. Brian is also an entertainment attorney and GRAMMY® Voting Member of The Recording Academy.
While music is his passion and vocation, Brian has been a successful entrepreneur outside of entertainment, notably in real estate. Brian holds a JD from San Francisco Law School. He received an MBA and BA in History from National University. Outside of his work, Brian enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid surfer and photographer.
Patricio A. Pickslay
President / COO
Patricio A. Pickslay is the President and COO of Pacific Records. Patricio oversees the creative operations of Pacific Records including Pacific Record’s A&R and production divisions, which include a state of the art recording studio located inside the Pacific Records headquarters building in San Diego, California.
Pat has been working in the professional music field for over two decades as an instructor, producer and songwriter/composer. His general philosophy is strong on musical fundamentals with a unique emphasis on creative experimentation. His command of craft and disciplined approach cultivate success in a wide array of musical settings. Pickslay’s award-winning work has appeared on the Billboard charts, in major film releases and on television. Past clients and collaborators include: RCA, Sony, Miramax Films, Samuel Goldwyn Pictures, Cinemax, Surfer Magazine, Valley View Casino, Atari/Williams Games, Los Romeros and David J (Bauhaus, Love & Rockets). Patricio also remastered Darla Record’s My Morning Jacket demo re-issue package.
Martin Guigui
President of A&R
Martin Guigui is an award-winning filmmaker, Music Director, Composer and
Grammy nominated Music Producer. Guigui has directed Feature Films, Music
Videos, has composed music for films and TV, worked on over 100 productions, produced over 50 music albums, toured extensively, and is Music Director for high profile Broadcast Concert Events.
Born in Buenos Aires Argentina, son of famed Symphony Orchestra Conductor Maestro Efrain Guigui, Martin had an eclectic upbringing in New York, Puerto Rico and Vermont, a music prodigy playing Violin at age four, his concert debut with the Puerto Rico Symphony at age 12, performing Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in D Major.
Guigui has worked with Stars and Icons of the Entertainment industry, has shared the stage, recorded, and performed with music greats including Billy Gibbons, Daryl Hall, Christina Aguilera, Stephen Stills, Sammy Hagar, Slash, Lady Gaga, Peter Frampton, James Cotton, Dave Navarro, Jimmie Vaughan, George Thorogood, Sheila E, Nancy Wilson (Heart), Lyle Lovett, Robby Krieger, Steve Earle, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Joe Bonamassa, Lemmy Kilmister, Keb Mo, Kenny Loggins, Vernon Reid, Jose Feliciano, Smokey Robinson, Sam Moore, David Byrne, Lucinda Williams, Grace Potter, Robert Randolph, Phish, Yolanda Adams, Robert Earl Keen, Orianthi, John Popper (Blues Traveler), Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke), Don Felder (Eagles), Richie Sambora, Joan Osborne, Trace Adkins, Lee Greenwood, Jake Owen, The Gatlin Brothers, NRBQ, Steve Forbert, Bo Diddley, Bret Michaels, Billy Ray Cyrus, James Montgomery, Haley Reinhart, ZZ Ward, and many others.
Recipient of songwriting Billboard Awards, ASCAP Performance Awards, United
Nations World Award, Caesar Award, Golden Spirit Award, Estabrook Award,
numerous “Best Director” Festival Awards, twice honored by City Of Los Angeles for artistic contributions to music education, Martin music directs charity events
regularly for America Salutes You, Endangered Species, Mr. Holland’s Opus
Foundation, National Guard Foundation, and Prevention Of Child Abuse.
Most recently Guigui helped organize and Music Directed the iconic “One America” Concert Event hosted by the 5 living U.S. Presidents raising $45 Million Dollars for Hurricane relief. Martin is a contributing author to the book “After Shock” (50th anniversary of “Future Shock”), is co-founder and President of Sunset Pictures, was a High School standout basketball player and still passionately enjoys the game having played in the NBA Entertainment League with the likes of Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx, and Kevin Hart.
Mike Dobrovic
CFO
Mike Dobrovic is the Chief Financial Officer of Pacific Records and is in charge of managing the company’s finances and fiscal strategies. Mike has an extensive background in both US and International transactions. He has a comprehensive background in finance and accounting for public and private companies.
Mike also has significant experience with companies in numerous industries. Prior to Pacific Records, Mike served as Vice President of Finance for Smiths Medical Critical Care following its acquisition of Medex, Inc. in 2005. Mike was the Chief Financial Officer for Medex Inc. from 1999 to 2005, and was a key member of the management buyout in 2001. Prior to that, he was the Director of Internal Audit for the Furon Company and Director of Accounting for Harvard Industries. Mike held various positions with Price Waterhouse from 1987 to 1996. While with Price Waterhouse, Mike relocated to Eastern Europe for four years where he was engaged primarily in a wide variety of M&A assignments, the privatization of State-owned businesses, and consulting clients on the establishment of greenfield operations. During his time with Price Waterhouse, Mike served US and International clients in many diverse industries. Mike received his B.S. in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame.
Joseph Witkin
CTO
Joe Witkin is the Chief Technical Officer of Pacific Records. He runs sound for Pacific Records shows at the Stella Artois Lounge, Valley View Casino Center, and was instrumental in setting up the sound system there. Joe hails from Brooklyn, N.Y, where he started piano lessons at age 6, and received an acoustic guitar as a graduation present in junior high school.
Teaching himself guitar and bass on the music of The Beatles, he played in numerous bands in high school; in college at Columbia, he joined Glee Club, and was in the right place at the right time when a Glee Club offshoot became the infamous fifties revival group “Sha Na Na”. Joe played at the original Woodstock Festival in Bethel, N.Y. in August, 1969 as Sha Na Na’s keyboard player, and appears on the Woodstock record, and in the movie. He left the group when he graduated, and pursued other careers (medical school), becoming a San Diego resident in 1975. He performed as “John” in an all-Beatles act, guitars, accents and all, from 1981-1985, and then as keyboardist (including left-hand bass) and Musical Director in an 8-piece fifties and sixties show band, The Legends, later renamed The Corvettes. This act, which also featured original members of the sixties bands “Syndicate of Sound” and “The Outsiders”, performed in San Diego for 22 years, from 1989 – 2011. In 2005, Joe recorded and produced the band’s 19-song CD in his home studio, sparking his interest in audio production, and leading him to upgrade The Corvettes to in-ear monitors. In June, 2016, Joe performed in a first and only reunion show with the 11 members of the original Sha Na Na, in New York City.
Drake Williams
Vice President of Creative Operations
Drake Williams is the Vice President of Creative Operations at Pacific Records. Drake oversees Pacific Record’s production division, which includes a state of the art recording studio located inside the Pacific Records Headquarters building in San Diego, California.
Drake holds a college degree in Digital Audio Music Technology and is in pursuit of another degree in Business Management. He traded in his small town roots for sandy beaches, coming to San Diego so he could dive into the music business. Music first made an impression on Drake when he picked up the trumpet at a young age. Since then, he has completely fallen in love with playing and recording music. His strength comes from the technical side and his professional attitude, making Drake the youngest executive member of the Pacific Records family.
Ace Antonio
Marketing Director
Ace Antonio is the Marketing Director of Pacific Records and handles all things marketing and social media – from Facebook to Instagram to monthly newsletters and beyond. A recent SDSU graduate, Ace has been singing, songwriting, and composing since he was 11 years old.
Growing up with the YouTube boom of the early 2000’s, he launched Audio Culture Events in 2013, a concert production company for internet-based artists. Eventually working with such acts as American Idol finalist Andrew Garcia and Vine sensation Us the Duo, what started off as a one-man team grew to a team of nine with features on San Diego 6 and the SDSU Daily Aztec as a student-run business. Ace is a rapidly-growing music professional, who’s entrepreneurial spirit and media marketing savviness make for a valuable asset of the Pacific Records team.
Andrew Scholnick
Music Publicist
Andrew Scholnick is the music publicist at Pacific Records who establishes and maintains marketing connections in the San Diego region and beyond in order to bring the artists signed to the label as much press coverage and attention as possible.
Additionally, Andrew works to expand Pacific Record’s outreach on social media networks including Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok, etc.
Andrew has worked for more than five years in the music industry as a performer and music writer on numerous websites and newsletters. Andrew is also an active artist on the Pacific roster performing under the alias “Andrew Michael”; so, he is in communication with the music scene on a daily basis.