FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gibson Guitar will be at the heart of the action as Austin plays host to thousands of bands, artists and industry heavy hitters for one of the hottest annual events in the music business, South By Southwest 2012. Not only will Gibson guitars be in the arms of the top performing musicians, the premier guitar manufacturer will also be engaged throughout the festival with an array of packed showcases, exclusive events, and opportunities for music enthusiasts to win sweet Gibson and Epiphone guitars.

Gibson Supported Events:

Gram Parsons Foundation

Wednesday, March 14

Hotel San Jose

1316 S. Congress Ave.

12 pm – 8 pm

Gibson Guitar is working with the Gram Parsons Foundation and Gram’s daughter, Polly Parsons, to raise awareness and support for the organization launched by friends and family of the iconic folk star. The Gram Parsons Foundation provides addiction and recovery services to musicians in need. Gibson is donating a special Hummingbird guitar, the same model that Gram played, to be raffled at the foundation’s launch event at Hotel San Jose. 

Gibson Guitar Sessions with Slacker Radio

Thursday, March 15 – Saturday, March 17

Gibson Guitar is partnering with one of the largest online radio services in the US, Slacker Radio, to produce one of-a-kind performances featuring musicians from around the country. Gibson will have a branded radio station featuring Gibson bands, and the interviews and performances recorded in March will be released online. For exclusive passes to these sessions, and for a chance to win a Gibson Les Paul, Gibson Gear and a Slacker Premium Radio subscription, visit Facebook/GibsonGuitarAustin.

Rocksmith / Epiphone guitar giveaway

Monday, March 5 – Sunday, March 18

Epiphone is partnering with the evolutionary Ubisoft guitar game, Rocksmith, the one and only game that allows fans to plug directly into a real guitar and actually learn while they play. Beginning March 5, Epiphone and Rocksmith are giving fans the opportunity to win an Epiphone Les Paul guitar and a Rocksmith game. All you have to do is follow @GibsonAustin on Twitter!

New West Records SXSW Day Party

Thursday, March 15

Threadgill’s World Headquarters

301 West Riverside Drive

12 pm – 7 pm

New West Records, home of Gibson Guitar Signature Artists Kris Kristofferson and John Hiatt, will host its annual day party at Threadgill’s World Headquarters. Gibson Guitar is celebrating its iconic relationship with New West by offering guests the chance to win a Gibson Montana acoustic guitar. For more information on Gibson’s signature model guitars with these artists, please visit www.gibson.com or www.gibson.com/press.

Roky Erickson’s Ice Cream Social Sponsored by Gibson Guitar

Friday, March 16

Threadgill’s World Headquarters

301 West Riverside Drive

12 pm – 7 pm

Gibson Guitar is once again a proud sponsor of Roky Erickson’s annual Ice Cream Social at Threadgill’s in the heart of Austin. Roky Erickson is known worldwide as a pioneer of psychedelic rock, and each year this event brings in surprise guests like Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Peter Buck of REM. Guests will have the opportunity to win a Gibson Les Paul electric guitar signed by Roky Erickson as a raffle grand prize! 

Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room

Daily

6^th and Trinity

For the fourth year in a row, Gibson Guitar is the title sponsor of Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room, in the heart of SXSW activities at 6^th and Trinity. A one of a kind venue dedicated to iconic artists and the history of the iconic guitar company who inspired them, Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room will again host over 80 bands, showcases, film parties, and exclusive VIP events and interviews throughout the festival.

About Gibson Guitar:

Founded in 1894, Gibson is a global music and lifestyle-oriented company based in Nashville, Tennessee, creating products that enrich the lives of musicians, fans, and consumers alike. Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Run by technology visionary, Henry Juszkiewicz, the company has been at the forefront of innovation since its inception, the latest of which is the LPX guitar and the Min-ETune™ tuning system. Through the Gibson Foundation, Gibson has become equally known for its philanthropic efforts on behalf of music, education, health and human services. Gibson's family of brands encompasses some of the most widely known and respected brands in the history of music and entertainment, including: Epiphone, KRK Systems, TEAC, Cerwin-Vega!, Stanton, Onkyo, Dobro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Baldwin, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer. More information is available at www.gibson.com, www.facebook.com/gibson, www.twitter.com/gibsonguitar

Gibson, 1-800-4GIBSON (1-800-444-2766) or www.gibson.com