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– Press Release
Music Rising, a campaign to replace musician’s instruments lost or destroyed in the Gulf Region hurricanes, today announced it has replaced over 1,200 instruments to date.
Launched in November 2005, Music Rising has replaced these 1,200
instruments to musicians located in over 34 States from California to New
York and in the Gulf Coast region.Music Rising was formed in late 2005 by U2’s The Edge, legendary
producer Bob Ezrin, Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, and
MusiCares. The Guitar Center Music Foundation is also an inaugural partner.
Its purpose is to maintain the essence of the Gulf Coast’s musical
tradition and help those devastated by the hurricane disasters. An
exclusive Gibson Music Rising guitar sold through Guitar Center launched
the effort with all proceeds going directly to Music Rising.Over half of the current Music Rising recipients are in Louisiana and
instruments have been sent to over 54 towns within the State alone. Texas
and Mississippi have the second and third largest recipient group. Music
Rising clients have received a gamut of instruments from amps to guitars,
to drums to saxophones and more. The current application and qualification
process for musicians is handled by MusiCares, a nonprofit organization
dedicated to helping music people in crisis.“Providing replacement instruments through Music Rising, not only helps
the professional musicians to regain a foothold on their future, but will
also ensure that one of the Gulf Coast’s greatest assets, its music, will
rise again,” said The Edge.The pool of applicants has remained steady since the tragedy struck,
and each week new clients emerge who need assistance. The number of
musicians affected by the hurricanes is estimated to reach as high as 7,000
— this initiative aims to put musical instruments back in the hands of
people who lost everything.“We knew when the hurricanes struck the Gulf Region that we had to do
something to help. Music Rising has now assisted more musicians than we
ever expected and we are dedicated to helping restore the rich musical
tradition of that region,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of
Gibson Guitar.Bob Ezrin added, “Artists and lovers of music from around the world can
help to replace its heart. Once the music is playing, the people will once
again have a reason to gather. We believe: if they hear it, they will come
and Music Rising is there to make it happen.
“Music Rising will continue its outreach beyond the professional
musicians with aid eventually going to churches and schools in the area.
Other programs helping to raise funds for Music Rising include a month-long
online auction with Ticketmaster in April ( http://www.ticketmaster.com ) and a
special event in New Orleans on April 27th, 2006 at the historic
Preservation Jazz Hall.For more information or to make a donation to Music Rising go to
http://www.musicrising.org or http://www.gibson.com
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