The Christmas Spirit Swings at Paul Reed Smith Guitars

by Rick Landers.

Modern Guitars got a call from our friend and fellow guitarist, Brian Wilson, News Anchor, Fox News (Washington, D.C.), who told us about a story concerning the Waco Eagles Motorcycle Club in Waco, Texas, that gathered up a pile of toys for needy children. Apparently, some bad guys broke into the Club's facilities and ran off with the toys.

Step in Fox News, to not only cover the story today, but to put on their Santa’s helper attire and help replace the toys. The public's response to the news has been enormous, with their television audience filling Santa’s tote.

A side-bar for guitarists is that Jeff Gilbert, President, Waco Eagles Motorcycle Club, who led the toys drive lost his beloved guitar to the villains.

Brian Wilson, who is a big fan of Paul Reed Smith Guitars, took it upon himself to call his friends at the company to see if they might be able to swing a guitar Gilbert’s way, as a surprise Christmas present, while he and Gilbert are on the air today.

Founder, Paul Reed Smith, and Jack Higginbotham, President of PRS Guitars, were quick to respond by offering up one of their high quality PRS guitars - a highly sought after Custom 24, West Street Limited Edition. The West Street Limited is a faithful replica of the style of guitar Smith built at his original West Street, Annapolis, Maryland, shop. The West Street has a nice Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with PRS signature bird inlays, an original PRS headstock shape with an eagle inlay and OM symbol on the truss rod cover. Look closely at the guitar and you’ll see a small dragon inlay on the body, that’s a direct take-off from some of Paul Reed Smith’s first guitars.

During the Fox News clip, Wilson got Paul Reed Smith on the phone to offer the surprise guitar to Gilbert. Smith suggested that his company's gift to the motorcycle club president might help prompt others to contribute to the drive to replace the stolen toys.

Modern Guitars is happy to report that there really is a Santa Claus. But, we don’t want to divulge his identify other than to confide that his initials are P.R.S.

For Modern Guitars readers who would like to contribute to the Waco Eagles Motorcycle Club toys drive for needy children, please send your donations to:

Waco Eagles Motorcycle Club
P.O. Box 20041
Waco, Texas 76702

Related Links
Paul Reed Smith Guitars
Waco Eagles Motorcycle Club
Brian Wilson, Fox News

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