Gibson Baldwin Music Education Division Takes Center Stage at

CES 2006

Entry Level Musical Instruments Sold at Retailers Nationwide Aid Music Education and Exhibit at Gibson Guitar Booth CP1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…Nashville, Tennessee…Dec. 27, 2005…Gibson Baldwin Music Education (GBME), a new division of Gibson Guitar dedicated to supporting music education by offering new lines of affordable instruments and by donating portions of proceeds to music education foundations will exhibit at the Gibson Guitar booth CP1 at CES 2006, January 5^th-8^th, 2006. Focusing on the production and delivery of entry level guitars, amps and accessories to retail giants Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, Meijer, Target and Toys R’ US, the division focuses on servicing the beginning player and early music students.

The Gibson Baldwin Music Education family of brands include Maestro, Epoch, Spirit, Talent, Savant and Signature. The line of instruments include both electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitars, woodwinds, horns and percussion instruments. GBME also offers amplifiers and a full line of Gibson branded accessories. 

“The Gibson Guitar and Baldwin Piano companies were founded by music educators, and our new GBME division will continue our century-plus tradition of supporting music education,” said Gibson Chairman and CEO, Henry Juszkiewicz. “Gibson is committed to telling students about the many rewards of musicianship, and is very pleased to offer such high quality, affordable instruments to beginning music students.”

Beneficiaries of the division include The Grammy Foundation,  The National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts (NFAA), MENC (The National Association of Music Educators), MNTA (Music Teachers National Association) and the VH 1 Save the Music Foundation. Each beneficiary will partner with Gibson Baldwin Music Education in marketing and promotions and will be involved in the special events throughout the year.

Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, MI, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, 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.  Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Baldwin, Hamilton and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson’s website at www.gibson.com or www.gibson.com/press.

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

Jason Padgitt           ROGERS & COWAN jpadgitt@rogersandcowan.com

QUALITY    PRESTIGE     INNOVATION