Gibson Announces Partnership with Playing For Change
Partnership Kicks-off In Honor of "Human Rights Day" with "Get an Epiphone, Gibson Gives an Epiphone" Campaign and Auction of "Peace Through Music" Gibson Dove Acoustic Guitar Today, on CharityBuzz.com. Watch the "Peace Through Music: Global Event for Social Justice" Concert in Entirety on Gibson TV, Streaming Now (Here). Concert Event Features Aloe Blacc, Angélique Kidjo, Annie Lennox, Brandi Carlile with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Carlos Santana and Cindy Blackman Santana, Gary Clark Jr., Jack Johnson, Jim James, Keb' Mo', Keith Richards, Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff, Peter Gabriel, Rhiannon Giddens, Ringo Starr, Robbie Robertson, Robert Randolph, Run the Jewels w/Josh Homme, Sheila E., Skip Marley and Cedella Marley, and special appearances by Billie Eilish, Ellie Goulding, Danny Glover and more
12.10.2020
NASHVILLE, TN – December 10, 2020 –Gibson, the iconic, American-made guitar brand, is proud announce a new partnership with Playing For Change the movement created to inspire and connect the world through music and the Playing For Change Foundation which is dedicated to building music and art schools for children around the world. Gibson believes music has the universal power to unite people across the globe and activate the world to stand up for and champion the protection and promotion of human rights for all, especially those in the most vulnerable communities.
In celebration of the annual Human Rights Day, Gibson will air the Peace Through Music: A Global Event for Social Justice concert event in its entirety streaming on demand via Gibson TV through December 31, Here.
The Peace Through Music: A Global Event for Social Justice virtual event, produced by Playing For Change and Blackbird Presents, features more than 200 musicians including Aloe Blacc, Angelique Kidjo, Annie Lennox, Becky G, Brandi Carlile with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Carlos Santana and Cindy Blackman Santana, Gabi Melim, Gary Clark Jr., Jack Johnson, Jim James, Keb' Mo', Keith Richards, Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff, Peter Gabriel, Rhiannon Giddens, Ringo Starr, Robbie Robertson, Robert Randolph, Run The Jewels with Josh Homme, Sheila E., Skip Marley and Cedella Marley, The War and Treaty, Yo-Yo Ma and many more. Special appearances include Billie Eilish, Ellie Goulding, Danny Glover, Jamal Murray, Killer Mike, Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, Norman Lear, Prince Ea and Sara Bareilles. Highlights of the event include special remarks from Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and from Epsy Campbell Barr, First Vice President of Costa Rica. In addition, Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, will offer a message to empower the world to seek freedom and justice, end all forms of discrimination and protect everyone's rights.
Show highlights include a soul stirring performance by Gary Clark Jr. of his GRAMMY Award-winning song "This Land," Carlos Santana and Cindy Blackman Santana joined by Uruguayan percussionist Ruben Rada and Tito Puente Jr. for "Oye Como Va," a hauntingly beautiful rendition of Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are a-Changin'" by Brandi Carlile with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam. A powerful remake of Peter Gabriel's "Biko" unites him with Beninise vocalist and activist Angelique Kidjo, Silkroad's Yo-Yo Ma and musicians from South Africa, India, and the USA. The heartfelt performance will be introduced by Nkosinathi Biko, son of the deceased anti-apartheid activist and subject of the song Steven Biko.
"For over 100 years we have been inspiring, supporting and engaging with musicians across all generations, genres and nations, but it feels like the world needs music now more than ever to bring us together," says James "JC" Curleigh, President and CEO of Gibson. The opportunity for us to partner with Playing For Change will create a compelling music movement around the world."
To kick off the partnership with Playing For Change, Gibson's Epiphone brand has launched the first-ever "Get an Epiphone, Gibson Gives an Epiphone" campaign which provides brand-new Epiphone guitars to Playing For Change Foundation music students. From now through December 31, Gibson will match every Epiphone guitar purchased and place a brand-new Epiphone Starling acoustic guitar – due for official release in Spring 2021 – with a student in need (up to 200). Go to Epiphone.com to purchase a guitar through the "Get an Epiphone, Gibson Gives an Epiphone" program to help support the Playing For Change Foundation and create positive change in underserved communities across the globe through music and arts education.
Epiphone Starling acoustic guitar in Ebony.
In honor of Human Rights Day, Gibson has created a special "Peace Through Music" Gibson Dove Acoustic custom guitar. The "Peace Through Music" Gibson Dove Acoustic guitar is up for auction now via the Gibson Gives page on CharityBuzz: Here. All proceeds from the "Get an Epiphone, Gibson Gives an Epiphone" promotion and the Gibson Gives guitar auction will benefit the Playing For Change Foundation.
Peace Through Music Gibson Dove Acoustic Custom Guitar: Lot: 2151900 Auction Link: Click here Estimated Value: $4,299.00 Opening Bid: $800.00 Above: the "Peace Through Music" Gibson Dove Acoustic guitar with Playing For Change peace logo on the headstock is up for auction on Gibson Gives page on CharityBuzz.com.
For more information about Peace Through Music: A Global Event for Social Justice, please visit the Peace Through Music event website. Following is the full artist lineup for the event: Abdiel Perez, Abiodun Oyewole (The Last Poets), Afro Fiesta, Ahmed Al Harmi, Al Harban Brothers, Alceu Maia, Alcione, Alfred Howard (US), Ali Boulala, Aloe Blacc, Amin Dominguez, Amina J. Mohammed (UN), Ana Carolina Pitti, Andre Siqueira, Andreus Valdes Torres, Angelique Kidjo, Annie Lennox, Armando Chiari, Azuel, Barou Sall, Becky G, Bela Fleck, Bernardo Garcia, Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead), Bill Summers, Billie Eilish, Binho, Bizung Family Band, Brandi Carlile with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Candombe Drum Group, Carl C-Wyya Edwards, Carlinhos 7 Cordas, Carlos Amaya, Carlos Santana and Cindy Blackman Santana, Cesar Pope, Chandrajit, Chango Spasiuk, Char, Cheikh Gueye, Chouloute Minouche, Cizinho Jorge, Clarence Bekker, Congo Drums, Cory Henry, Courtney "Bam" Diedrick, Cristina Pato, Damaso Melendez, Danny Glover, David Casseus, Debora Do Santos, Dianelys Vazquez, Dimitri Dolganov, Dina Elwebidi, Diogenes Villanueva, Django Degen, Donald Harrison and Congo Square Nation, Dr. John, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Dudu Nobre, Dynamic Music Collective, Eduin Valdes Hernandez, EduMundo and Caveman, Elian De Hoyos, Elianys de Hoyos, Ellie Goulding, Elsa Molinar, Epsy Campbell Barr, Erubide Arias, Estefani Moreno, Estevenson Padilla Valdes, Eyadou Ag Leche, Fabian Miodownik, Fabrizio Hochschild-Drummond, Fernando Caballero, Fernando "Lobo" Nunez, Francois Viguie, Gabi Melim, Gary Clark Jr., George Porter Jr., Geraldo & Dionisio, Gilberto Munoz, Grandpa Elliott, Guardians Of The New Fire, Guimel Jimenez, Gustavo Montemurro, Heraldo De Hoyos, Hiromitsu Agatsuma, Hugo Soares, Hutch Hutchinson, Ibrahim Ag Alhabib, Ibram X. Kendi, Ignacio Mateu, Iluska Quinones, Ivan Neville, Jack Johnson, Jaguara, Jairo Esquina, Jamal Murray, James Vergneau aka Rebel Layonn, Jason Tamba, Javoci Do Imperio, Jeanine Gall, Jim James, Joao Viana, John Cruz, John Prine, John Herno, Jorge Jimenez, Jorge Williams, Jose Luis "Bocha" Martínez, Jose Valdes Teran, Julieta Rada, Junior Kissangwa Mbouta, Karl Perazzo, Kasha Sequoia Slavner, Keb' Mo', Keiko Komaki, Keiler Valdes Herrera, Keith Richards, Killer Mike, Kolgate, La Escuelita del Ritmo, Larkin Poe, Lee Oskar, Lindomar Fraga, Los hijos de Benkos, Louis Mhlanga, Lucas Pietro, Lucila Rada, Luis Carlos Cassiani Simarra, Luiz Augusto, Luiz Otavio, Lukas Nelson, Lurielys Albert, Mamadou Sarr, Mambueni Bisalu, Manuel Betegon, Manuel Perez Salinas, Marcelo Blanco, Marcus King, Marfa Kurakina, Mark Johnson, Mary Ann Ortiz, Massamba Diop, Mateo, Matias Rada, Mbonda Tempelo, Mavis Staples, Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, Mermans Mosengo, Meshell Ndegeocello, Mestra Joana Cavalcante, Michelle Bachelet, Mickey Hart (Grateful Dead), MishCatt, Mohammed Alidu, Nasreen Sheikh, Natalia Kanem (UNFPA), Nathaniel Rateliff, Nayelis Boltier, Nelson Cedres, Nelson Rangel, Nielson Do Tamborim, Nikki Burt, Noe Nunez, Norm, Norman Lear, Ousseynou and Assane Kaba, Papa Lusamba, "Papi" Felix Garemua, Paulo Heman, Peter Bunetta, Peter Gabriel, Playing For Change Band, Playing For Change Foundation, Pokei Klaas, POPO, Prince Ea, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Rajeev Shrestha, Reggie McBride, Renan Silva, Rhiannon Giddens, Ringo Starr, Robbie Robertson, Robert Randolph, Roberto Luti, Robin Moxey, Roger Ridley, Ruben Rada, Rudson Daniel and Enio Taquari, Rui Dinis, Run The Jewels with Josh Homme, Sanjay Shrestha, Santiago Luzacando, Sara Bareilles, Sean "Pow" Diedrick, Sebastian Robertson, Sexteto Tabala, Sheila E., Shemekia Copeland, Sherieta Lewis and Roselyn Williams, Silkroad, Sinamuva, Skip Marley and Cedella Marley, Sol Homar, Songhoy Blues, Stefano Tomaselli, Taikoproject, Taimane, Tal Wilkenfeld, Tatiana Munoz, The Cape Town Ensemble, The War and Treaty, Tia Vilma, Tito Puente Jr., Toumani Diabate, TP OK Jazz, Tuca Da Cuica, Tula Ben Ari, Tushar Lall, Twanguero, Twin Eagle Drum Group, Venkat, Victor Gabriel Castro, Victor Jimenez, Vientos de Cordoba, Vusi Mahlasela, Washboard Chaz, Welele Doubout, Whitney Kroenke Silverstein, Wilbert Valdes Torres, Williams Callender, Yo-Yo Ma, Yu Hatakeyama, ZEPA, Zulu Choir
ABOUT PLAYING FOR CHANGE
Playing For Change (PFC) is a movement created to inspire and connect the world through music, born from the shared belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. PFC spreads their positive message for humanity to millions of people through inspiring multicultural music videos, a live global touring band and a 501c3 foundation supporting music education around the world. Learn more at http://www.playingforchange.com.
ABOUT PLAYING FOR CHANGE FOUNDATION
Founded in 2007, the Playing For Change Foundation was established to create positive change through music and arts education. Its work engages marginalized youth in low income, yet culturally rich, communities around the world. Utilizing local music, teachers, and infrastructure, each student is able to rise up through music, dance, arts, sports, and much more, all within their own culture. It currently operates 15 music programs in 11 countries, teaches over 3,000 kids each week, and has positively impacted more than 40,000 lives of kids and families in need. The Foundation was awarded the Polar Music Prize in 2019. Learn more at http://www.playingforchange.org.
ABOUT Blackbird Presents
Blackbird Presents is a leading global media company that creates and produces premium, music-driven events and content via a range of strategies including all-star concert events, tours, festivals, broadcast specials, episodic series, and documentaries. Recent concerts, broadcast specials and releases include "Willie: Life & Songs Of An American Outlaw," "All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers' Farewell Concert Celebration," "Sing Me Back Home: The Music of Merle Haggard," "The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson," "Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert," "Outlaw: Celebrating The Music of Waylon Jennings," "I'll Take You There: Celebrating 75 Years of Mavis Staples," "The Life and Songs of Emmylou Harris," "Lynyrd Skynyrd: One More For The Fans," "The Musical Mojo of Dr. John: Celebrating Mac and His Music" and "All My Friends: Celebrating The Songs and Voice of Gregg Allman," the last of which earned a GRAMMY® Award nomination for Gregg Allman and Taj Mahal's awe-inspiring performance of "Statesboro Blues. "Blackbird Presents is also the creator and producer of The Outlaw Music Festival Tour, in partnership with Willie Nelson; The American Roots Music & Arts Festival, in partnership with Eric Church; and The Last Waltz 40 Tour in partnership with Robbie Robertson. Learn more at www.blackbirdpresents.com.
For more information on the Playing For Change Foundation, visit:
ABOUT GIBSON
Gibson Brands, the world’s most iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for more than 100 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, TN, Gibson Brands has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson Brands portfolio includes Gibson, the number one guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, Kramer, Steinberger, MESA/Boogie, and the Gibson Pro Audio division, KRK Systems. Gibson Brands is dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by Gibson Brands. Learn more at Gibson.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
For more information on Gibson, visit:
WEBSITE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | GIBSONTV
ABOUT EPIPHONE
For over 140 years, Epiphone has been a leading innovator in instrument design with models like the Casino, the Texan, and Masterbilt Century Archtop Collection. Epiphone began as the "House of Stathopoulo" family business in Sparta in the 1870s and rose to fame during the jazz age in Manhattan before joining Gibson brands in 1957. Today, Epiphone continues to make history from its headquarters in Nashville, TN. Epiphones have powered classic recordings by Les Paul, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones along with today's top artists like Peter Frampton, Gary Clark Jr., Tommy Thayer of KISS, and Lzzy Hale. Epiphone offers innovation, history, and a lifetime guarantee. Whether you are learning your first song in your bedroom, or rocking an arena, Epiphone has always been there, for everyone, for every generation, for every stage. For more information, visit Epiphone.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
For more information on Epiphone, visit:
EPIPHONE.COM | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE
ABOUT GIBSON GIVES:
The Gibson Gives | Gibson Foundation is a 501(c)(3) committed to introduce, inspire, and amplify the power of music through guitars across all generations, genres, and genders. For over 126 years Gibson has been shaping, contributing, and supporting sound through their guitars. Gibson realized early on that getting instruments into the hands of those with a desire to make music is a truly life-changing event. Gibson Gives (Gibson Foundation) has since provided thousands of guitars and related value-in-kind in excess of $30 million. In 2019, Gibson Gives committed to donating 1,000 guitars over the next 1000 days and is ahead, having donated 160 guitars in just four months. Gibson Gives played a lead role in supporting the ‘Do it for the Love' Foundation, outfitted Maplewood High School in Nashville with multiple guitars for a music room—through Gibson Gives partner Give A Note – and played it forward donating 48 guitars and 19,000 string sets to Guitars For Vets to bring the power of music to returning U.S. military veterans with PTSD. Gibson Gives is off to a solid start in 2020 with 100% of all donations to and from Gibson Gives going towards giving the gift of music. The mission of Gibson Gives is to make music matter to more people in more ways...one guitar at a time! For more information, visit: www.gibsongives.org.
For more information on Gibson Gives, visit:
For GIBSON and G2, Contact: Libby Coffey PRIME PR GROUP, INC O: + 1 626-676-4993 LCoffey@primeprgroup.com
