The 16th Annual East Coast International Blues & Roots Music Festival Welcomes The Gibson All-Star Band March 24-28th

Fourth Stage Added to Australian Event Brings Amazing Acts to Program

The Gibson All-Star Band makes its debut performance at the 16^th Annual East Coast International Blues & Roots Music Festival at Byron Bay NSW in Australia to be held March 24-28, 2005. Gibson Guitar, the world's premiere musical instrument manufacturer, has partnered with APRA this year and worked closely to bring a new and exciting opportunity for guests to enjoy the music of Gibson at the Crossroads Stage on Sunday, March 27, 2005 at 2pm and the APRA Stage on Monday, March 28, 2005 at 3pm. The APRA stage is being introduced at this year's festival as a fourth stage, a first for the event.

The Gibson All-Star Band is comprised of three accomplished musicians from the United States and three equally accomplished musicians from Australia. The U.S. performers include Dave Gibson, Ray Herndon and Sean Fields. Bios of these performers can be found at www.apra.com.au. All of the performers are seasoned musicians who have played other venues worldwide to wonderful reviews.

The three performers from Australia are Doug Williams, Calvin Welch and Phil Close. A special event performance by the band is also confirmed at The Basement on Friday, April 1, 2005. The Basement has been a Sydney landmark for live performances since the 1970s and is located in the heart of the city at 29 Reiby Place, Circular Quay.

Gibson has also donated a valuable Robert Johnson L-1 acoustic guitar that will be signed by all performing artists and auctioned over the weekend with all money raised going to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

For more information on The Blues & Roots Music Festival go to www.bluesfest.com.au. For more information on Gibson Guitar go to www.gibson.com.