New York Based Road Recovery Organization Partners with The Gibson Foundation Providing Instruments to Recovering Teen Musicians

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…New York, New York….June 2, 2005…New York based Road Recovery and The Gibson Foundation have joined forces in an effort to help teenage musicians who are in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. Road Recovery is a non-profit foundation made up of music industry professionals whose lives have been touched by drug or alcohol addiction. Its programs provide teenagers with an environment that nurtures creativity and mentorship while offering positive alternatives in the teen’s daily lives.

One of the first teenage bands named under the Road Recovery program is the Crazy James band. The Gibson Foundation has donated more than $10,000.00 worth of new instruments to the band in an effort to support their on-going recovery and musical efforts. Their self-titled debut EP is due out in 2005.  Armed with an Epiphone Les Paul, an Epiphone SG Special and an Epiphone Allen Woody bass, the band began recording at Threshold Music and Snake Jam Studios in Manhattan.

“The band was ready to record but lacked the necessary gear to translate its powerful music to tape. Without The Gibson Foundation’s generous gift, Crazy James would not have been able to enter the studio. The ability to record its music on such beautiful high quality instruments took the recording sessions to another level. Most importantly, The Gibson Foundation’s support and recognition reaffirms to the kids that the difficult choices they have made are leading them down exciting and rewarding paths.”  said Gene Bowen, Founder, Road Recovery

“Gibson is my preferred guitar maker and I was blown away to hear that they had donated a wide selection of various electric and acoustic guitars to Crazy James/ Road Recovery. I was particularly impressed with the white semi-hollow body Les Paul that I used during the recording of a few of our tracks. I would like to personally thank The Gibson Foundation for their donation; they have provided high quality guitars and basses to make our band sound great!” added Ryan Aussem, lead guitarist for Crazy James.

The result of Gibson’s support will be heard loud and clear in Crazy James forthcoming debut release this September during the CMJ (College Music Journal) Convention in New York.

The Gibson Foundation is a 501 © (3) entity dedicated to improving the quality of life in communities throughout the United States and the world. This commitment is especially focused on education excellence through music and the arts, protecting the environment and supporting the health and human services of all people. 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 digital guitar represents the biggest advance in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, MI, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Valley Arts, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Baldwin, Hamilton and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson’s website at www.gibson.com  or www.gibson.com/press

CONTACT:

Caroline Galloway         GIBSON  440-338-3469  caroline.galloway@gibson.com