Washburn donated a U.S.A. Custom Shop EA10 for the silent auction held in Chicago at Buddy Guy's Legends for "A Tribute to 12-Bar Blues" sponsored by NARAS to kick off the Chicago Blues Fest. The auction was held to benefit MusiCares, a foundation established by NARAS in 1989.

MusiCares' mission is to ensure that music people have a compassionate place to turn in times of need while focusing the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. Their programs provide much-needed services and resources to individuals in the music community who are confronted by a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies.

The guitar, a custom shop EA 10, was autographed by Bruce Springsteen and the entire E Street Band on the night of the 45th annual Grammy Awards after winning Grammy Awards for "Best Rock Song," "Best Rock Vocal Performance" and "Best Rock Album." The guitar features a solid Cedar top, koa back and sides, multi lam bindings, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, pear diamond inlay, abalone rosette, exclusive Grover 18:1 gear ratio tuners with ebonite buttons, B-band tape mic and preamp and Buzz Feiten Tuning System. A hard-shell case was also included. The opening bid was $1,500.00 and 100% of the proceeds were given to the MusiCares Foundation.

The U.S. Music Corp. headquarters is just north of Chicago in Mundelein, Illinois. A leading music gear company in the industry, U.S. Music Corp. is the manufacturer and distributor of Washburn Guitars, Randall Amplifiers, Eden Electronics, Oscar Schmidt Guitars, SoundTech Pro Audio Systems, and Vinci Strings. U.S. Music Corp. is dedicated to providing quality instruments to musicians worldwide, and at the same time, continuing its legacy through the 21st century.

For additional information about U.S. Music Corp., visit the company on the web at usmusiccorp.com