Photo L-R: Nathaniel Rateliff, JC (Gibson CEO), and Jim James announce their partnership and support of the Gibson Foundation.
After an impactful re-launch at Winter Namm, artists, players and fans are continuing to experience Gibson, the all American-made instrument brand, rejuvenated. Gibson ignited its new era at SUMMER NAMM 2019 with a massive, onsite presence showcasing exciting new collections, hosting the hottest live concert of the week and launching boutique builder collaborations, as well as, brand-new artist programs for musicians worldwide in the brand’s hometown of Nashville, TN.
Wednesday, July 17, Gibson events kicked-off with a press conference and media tour at the Gibson USA Factory in Nashville. Gibson CEO, James “JC” Curleigh announced new collaborations with boutique builders and introduced the new Gibson Foundation, Gibson Alliance and Gibson Generation Group artist programs to the media.
Nashville luminaries were on hand to support including Gibson artists Lee Roy Parnell, Dave Amato and Toby Lee as well as David Briley (Mayor of Nashville), Jon Robinson (Tennessee Titans, General Manager), Ralph Schulz (Nashville Chamber of Commerce, CEO), Jacki Artis (Music City Council, Manager), Adam Nuse (Nashville Sounds, General Manager), Taylor Fisher (Nashville Sounds, Director of Sales), Gibson Foundation partners Philip Giley (Notes For Notes) and David Wish (Little Kids Rock) and the new Gibson Generation Group Jayden Tatasciore, Ben Goldsmith, Reece Malone and Carter Wilkinson.
On Thursday, July 18, Gibson’s SUMMER NAMM kicked off at Music City Center with a special media luncheon. Gibson CEO, JC and Jim James (solo artist and frontman for My Morning Jacket) as well as Nathaniel Rateliff (solo artist and frontman for Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats) were on hand to talk to the media about the launch of the Gibson Foundation. Jim James announced his collaboration with the Gibson Foundation as well as establishing a program for supplying musical instruments to underserved students in underfunded schools that have a passion to learn to play. Jim also pledged to donate proceeds of the sale of his forthcoming Jim James Gibson ES-345 signature guitar to programs that benefit youth music education.
SUMMER NAMM also marked the festival debut of the new G-45 Series Collection; the G-45 Standard and G-45 Studio guitars. Handcrafted by skilled artisans at the Gibson acoustic facility in Bozeman, Montana–who build the most cherished and iconic acoustic models–the G-Series offer players of all levels the perfect mix of tone and performance with traditional Gibson style and value. Watch the SUMMER NAMM recap of the Gibson Acoustic guitars: Here.