Gibson forms global relationship with Live Earth

Gibson Guitar, the world’s premier musical instrument maker and leader in music technology, announced today a global relationship with Live Earth in the campaign to combat global warming. Gibson Acoustic Guitar has produced 25 exclusive, environmentally-friendly custom guitars with the Live Earth logo emblazoned on the front. These limited-edition acoustic guitars are to be signed by artists performing at the eight official concerts across the globe on July 7, 2007 and, ultimately, auctioned off to benefit the Live Earth concerts and Alliance for Climate Protection.

The Live Earth Guitar is based on the best selling J-45 Gibson Acoustic Guitar. This round shouldered dreadnought design has affectionately been called the “workhorse” by artists since the 1940’s. The guitar displays the Live Earth logo and all graphics were placed on the guitar then coated with a high-gloss finish. The body and neck of the guitar are constructed using rainforest friendly, FSC Certified Mahogany. With a scale length of 24 ¾-inches, the guitar not only produces a full, rich tone but is considered a pleasure to play by many artists. The Live Earth Gibson Acoustic Guitar also comes with its own hard-shell case and the industry’s finest built-in pickup and preamp.

“The Gibson custom designed acoustic guitars represent the ultimate combination of music and environmentally conscious practice that is in line with our Live Earth messaging,” said Kevin Wall, Founder and Producer of Live Earth. “Music has the universal power to unite cultures and we will focus that energy on July 7th to motivate people all over the world to take action to combat global warming.”

Gibson Acoustic is providing the custom made guitars designed for Live Earth incorporating not only FSC certified body and neck but the Live Earth and its SOS campaign design elements. The guitars will be placed across the globe at each of the eight concerts on July 7, 2007. Many of the artists performing at these concerts will sign the guitars as part of their support for the Live Earth event, the SOS campaign and the fight against global warming. At the culmination of the Live Earth events, the guitars will be auctioned off on eBay to raise additional funds for the Alliance for Climate Protection.

“Gibson Guitar finds it a privilege to work with Live Earth to combat global warming as the event’s official partner,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “Live Earth is a great opportunity for activists, musicians and organizations alike to draw attention to the impact of Global Warming. Gibson Guitar, and its philanthropic arm, Gibson Foundation, are dedicated to supporting the cause for climate protection and the creation of these environmentally friendly guitars.”

About Gibson
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 represents the biggest advance 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, Gibson Baldwin Music Education, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Oberheim, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, Baldwin, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson’s website at www.gibson.com or www.gibson.com/press

About Live Earth
Live Earth is a monumental music event that will bring together more than 2 billion people on July 7, 2007 to combat the climate crisis. Live Earth will stage concerts in New York, London, Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg, Hamburg and will feature a mix of both legendary music acts like The Police, Genesis, Bon Jovi and Madonna with the latest headliners like Kanye West, Kelly Clarkson, Black Eyed Peas and Jack Johnson.

Live Earth’s 24 hours of music across 7 continents will deliver a worldwide call to action and the solutions necessary to answer that call. Live Earth marks the beginning of a multi-year campaign to drive individuals, corporations and governments to take action to solve the climate crisis. Live Earth is partnering with the Alliance for Climate Protection, The Climate Group, Stop Climate Chaos and other international organizations in this ongoing effort. Live Earth was founded by Kevin Wall, a worldwide executive producer of the Live 8 concert series in 2005, and is supported by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.