Fender CEO sparks backlash by labeling cover bands as 'analog AI'

Cole’s remarks, originally shared during a May interview with T3, suggest that artificial intelligence is a long-standing fixture in music rather than a modern disruption. He argues that the primary hurdle for musicians remains the time required to master an instrument, while songwriting represents a secondary barrier where technology—or imitation—fills the void. By framing cover music as a historical precursor to AI, the executive implies that musicians who lack original songwriting skills rely on the work of established artists to sustain their craft.

This perspective has landed poorly with a community already disillusioned by Fender’s recent aggressive legal tactics. The company is currently embroiled in a public relations crisis following cease-and-desist letters sent to independent builders over the copyright of the Stratocaster body design. With prominent guitar influencers publicly boycotting the brand, Cole’s reductionist view of band dynamics has only deepened the divide between the manufacturer and the players it claims to serve.