Gibson Guitar to Present All-Star Lineup at Summer NAMM 2008

Press release
Source: Gibson Guitar

Gibson Guitar, the world's premier musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology, announced its all-star line up of brands and artists for this year's Summer NAMM to be held in Nashville, Tennessee from June 20-22, 2008 at the Nashville Convention Center. A wide array of products from Gibson including Gibson Custom, Gibson USA, Gibson Acoustic, Epiphone, Baldwin Piano, Slingerland Drums and Wurlitzer Jukeboxes will be on display at the Gibson Guitar Booth # 526. In addition to the exhibit, Gibson will also host two special nights of entertainment.

It's the ultimate night of rock-n-roll on Friday, June 20th when some of the world's greatest Gibson artists take to the stage at the Gibson Summer Jam. The Gibson Summer Jam is being held at Gibson Custom located at 1612 Elm Hill Pike in Nashville.

Beginning on Friday, June 20, 2008 at 2pm the Gibson Players Open Jam, hosted by Dixie Peach, will take to the stage followed by a 7:30pm performance by Lee Roy Parnell and at 8:30pm McQueen. At 9:45pm, for one night only, legendary musicians and Gibson artists, Johnny Winter, Larry Carlton and Slash perform on stage for a once-in-a-lifetime concert for special guests that will rock the Music City like no other event before. Press can reserve space to cover by calling or emailing contacts below.

On Saturday, June 21, 2008, doors open at 3:30pm for an unplugged performance by Whiskey Falls followed by the Fortune Battle of the Corporate Bands Regional Finals competition featuring bands from around the country who are competing for the coveted title of "Best Corporate Band" and recognition from the prestigious Fortune Magazine group. The 5 Star Carni band featuring Kenny Olson and special guest will perform beginning at 8:30pm. At 9:45pm the evening's encore concert featuring the "Gibson Rock Stars," Billy Morrison, Billy Duffy, Matt Sorum, Jerry Cantrell, Chris Chaney, Brett Scallions and other surprise guests will continue to rock Nashville.

Throughout the two days, fans will have the opportunity to be Gibson's guests at special clinics conducted by Gibson Gear, Epiphone and Steinberger. Guests will have the chance to play like professional musicians and learn all about the famous Gibson brands being offered on site at the event. Clinicians from all divisions will be on hand to answer any questions. A full schedule is attached of the events for review and press coverage.

The array of products available on display at Gibson and Baldwin Booth #526 offers a taste of Gibson, Epiphone, Baldwin and Wurlitzer Jukeboxes for guests. Each visitor to the booth will have the opportunity to sit down and jam with some of the world's greatest guitars and pianos. From the completely outrageous Zebra and Tuxedo Baldwin Piano to the Gibson SG Robot Guitar, the Gibson booth will continue to be amongst the most popular at the show. Guests will also have the chance to experience the world's most popular selling jukebox, the Wurlitzer One More Time model.

Gibson USA will exhibit its 2008 Les Paul Standard, new Les Paul Traditional, the innovative Gibson Robot SG Limited Edition guitar and its newest signature model taking the world by storm, the Joan Jett Melody Maker. Epiphone will showcase the Epiphone Les Paul Ultra II model, Slash Signature Les Paul Standard Plus Top, the Prophecy SG Custom GX and the Prophecy EM-2 Custom EX models. Gibson Acoustic will exhibit some of the most anticipated acoustic guitars at the show including the new Kris Kristofferson acoustic model offering vintage appointments and classic details of his original Southern Jumbo with several modern features. The highly popular Elvis Costello Century of Progress limited to only 300 units and a label personally autographed by the musician and the new Gibson Hummingbird Custom KOA totally redesigned with AAA Figured KOA back and sides and elaborately inlayed with hand engraved Hummingbirds on the headstock will be only some of the offerings by the worldwide renown division of Gibson.

Focusing on the classic sounds and models that Gibson players have come to know and love, Gibson Custom Shop and Gibson Memphis will showcase the Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom in ebony, the 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue in Antique Gold, the Les Paul Custom Gibson guitar in Alpine white, the ES-335 Dot Figured Maple in Vintage Sunburst, the ES-335 Dot Figured Maple in Cherry and the ES-335 "Fat Neck" in Antique Vintage Sunburst. The famous ES-335 celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. Guests will get a sneak peak at the Gibson Custom Joe Bonamassa Inspired By model.

Rounding out the extraordinary collection of the world's finest instruments at Summer NAMM 2008, Gibson will also offer the Valley Arts T-Series, Tobias Killer B Series Bass Guitar, Slingerland Gene Krupa Drum Kits and the Gibson Songmaker collection from Gibson Canada. The historic Gibson Original Acoustic Instruments division will highlight the exhibit with the limited edition and highly desirable F5 Victorian Mandolin, the Earl Scruggs Flint Hill Special Banjo, the Rick Skaggs Distressed Master Model and the Phil Leadbetter Limited Edition Mahogany Dobro.

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 HD.6X-PRO Digital Guitar and the Gibson Robot Guitar represent the biggest advances in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Maestro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, Baldwin, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson’s website at www.gibson.com.