Michael Stanley Lends Support to Public Arts Project Benefitting Local Non-Profits

Cleveland, OH—February 25, 2010— Cleveland Rocks!, the public arts project presented by Epiphone Guitar exhibiting one-of-a-kind playable* art guitars at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, announced Michael Stanley as Celebrity Co-Chairman for the project. As Co-Chairman of the Cleveland Rocks!, Stanley will help raise funds for three Cleveland based non-profits and provide creative input for the project’s duration and gala auction event.

As one of Cleveland’s most recognizable and iconic musician, Michael Stanley recently entered his forty-first year as a professional musician with twenty-five albums to his credit. As founder and leader of The Michael Stanley Band (1973-1987) he recorded thirteen albums, scored three top-forty hits, set North East Ohio attendance records that stand to this day, and toured with everyone from Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles, and The Doobie Brothers to Jeff Beck and King Crimson.His solo career, which started before MSB and continued after the band's breakup, contains 10 albums including his latest release "Shadowland" (http://www.linelevelmusic/). As one the most enduring examples of classic Midwestern rock, he continues to perform with his current band Michael Stanley & The Resonators.

Recent artist additions chosen to paint an Epiphone Les Paul guitar for Cleveland Rocks! are as follows:

· John Howitt – South Euclid, OH

· Rita Montlack – Shaker Heights, OH

· Paul Thatcher – Webster, NY

· Tim Kanieski - Chagrin Falls, OH

· Bethany Jozwiak Butler - Columbus, OH

· Nelli Khatmoullina - Richmond Hts, OH

· Christopher Raab - Ashtabula, OH

· John Hubbell Rosene - Richfield, OH

· Steve Meyer - Cleveland, OH

· Along with a special guitar designed by Stephen Greenberg and created with the assistance of the Euclid Adult Activities Center: Kim Bivins-Ivory (supervisor), Debbie Todorich, Colleen Callahan, Krystin Ruus, Kristina Vargo, Juanita Cox, Dorothy Campbell

For a full list of artists go to http://clevelandrocks.epiphone.com

At the conclusion of this exhibit, all of the guitars on display will be auctioned at a gala event in early June 2010 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum hosted by world renowned auction house, Julien’s Auctions. The auction will raise funds for three local non-profit organizations: the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Greater Cleveland Film Commission and The Music Settlement. The auction gala will be promoted in advance so interested supporters can schedule their calendars.

For more information on Cleveland Rocks!, please visit http://ClevelandRocks.Epiphone.com, www.gibson.com, or www.rockhall.com/exhibitnew/cleveland-rocks

*Due to some artistic additions to a guitar, some may not be suitable for performances. Hi res images of Michael Stanley and Cleveland Rocks! art guitars available to media upon request.

Contacts:

Caroline Galloway, Gibson Guitar & Epiphone, 615-423-4904, caroline.galloway@gibson.com

Cie Hoover, Gibson Guitar & Epiphone, 615-260-8835, cie.hoover@gibson.com