Dr. Phil, The Grammy Foundation, and Gibson Guitar Team Up

Press release
Source: Rogers & Cowan

LOS ANGELES, Calif., (June 20, 2005) - Dr. Phil McGraw, the GRAMMY Foundation(r) and Gibson Guitar have partnered to present a very special episode of the highly rated "Dr. Phil" television show dedicated to "The Power Of Music", which will air on July 18. The show features performances by entertainer Brian McKnight; 14-time GRAMMY(r)-winning producer/songwriter/performer David Foster; country sensation and cancer survivor Kevin Sharp, who credits music with literally saving his life; The Crenshaw Elite High School Choir; and "The Levite Camp" of Fred Martin's Urban Entertainment Institute.

The GRAMMY Foundation and the "Dr. Phil" Show staff screened a series of videotapes submitted by aspiring, young musical talents and chose 14-year-old Dominique Johnson to receive a scholarship to the inaugural GRAMMY Camp this summer and a chance to perform on this episode of the Dr. Phil show accompanied by Foster. Jordan McGraw, Dr. Phil's son, plays his Gibson Guitar with his new band via videotape, and 12-year-old Kiki returned to the Dr. Phil show where she had been presented her first Gibson Guitar in 2004 to pursue her dreams of performing. She is now not only proficient on the instrument, but her parents are also pleased at her academic improvement and the positive effect music has had on her self-esteem.

"When we discovered that Dr. Phil shared a personal passion for the mission of the GRAMMY Foundation, we began discussing ways to do something meaningful in support of music education," said David Foster, chair of the GRAMMY Foundation Board. "We hope the show is just the first step in many more activities to keep this important issue at the front of people's minds."

"Studies show that music increases student academic achievement, builds discipline and other skills necessary for workplace success, and decreases negative behavior by at-risk youth," stated Dr. Phil. "The GRAMMY Foundation and I are on a mission to ensure that we keep and support music programs in our schools."

During the show, Dr. Phil asks his viewers to let their voices be heard by going to www.grammyfoundation.com, where a letter can automatically be sent to their local and national elected leaders in support of music education.

"We have worked for many years with the great leaders in Congress who have been stalwart supporters of music and arts education," said Neil Portnow, President of the GRAMMY Foundation and The Recording Academy(r). "But the power of thousands of letters from local constituents will add immeasurable strength to our message. We thank Dr. Phil for joining with us in support of this vital mission."

Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman/CEO Gibson Guitar, continued his ongoing support of music education and the arts with the donation of 100 guitars, which were presented to all the young members in the studio audience. Gibson Guitar will launch the Gibson Baldwin Music Education Division this summer providing instruments through mass merchant retailers across the country making it affordable and accessible to students like those in the show audience. For more information on the Gibson Baldwin Music Education Division, call 1-800-4GIBSON.

"We are always thrilled when we have the opportunity to help young students pursue their dreams of becoming a musician," said Juszkiewicz. "Much like the inspiring stories heard on the Dr. Phil show, Gibson Guitar remains a company dedicated to supporting music education and the arts and will continue to play an important role alongside many organizations with the same mission."

The GRAMMY Foundation(r) was founded in 1989 to cultivate the awareness, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music on American culture - from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the unimagined musical breakthroughs of the future generations of musical professionals. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities designed to engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The GRAMMY Foundation works in partnership year-round with The Recording Academy and its regional staff to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music education, and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural legacy. For more information about GRAMMY Camp, as discussed on the "Dr. Phil" show, please visit www.grammyintheschools.com.

Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins and banjos. Gibson's digital guitar represents the biggest advance in electric guitar design in more than 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Mich., and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corporation's family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Valley Arts, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Baldwin, Hamilton and Wurlitzer. Gibson Guitar recently announced a joint partnership with Universal Studios and House of Blues Concerts to rename the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles to the "Gibson Amphitheatre." Visit Gibson's Web site at www.gibson.com or www.gibson.com/press.

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GRAMMY Foundation Contact:
Mike Shekoyan
The Recording Academy
310.392.3777
mikes@grammy.com
Dr. Phil Contact:
Chandler Hayes
Paramount Studios
310.498.4280
chandler_hayes@paramount.com
Gibson Contact:
Maureen O'Connor/Jason Padgitt
Rogers & Cowan
310.854.8116/8140