Gibson fans to chat with Sugar Hill artists Sam Bush and Allison Moorer

Gibson.com hosts Sam Bush, Gibson signature mandolinist and newgrass innovator, for an online chat on Wed., April 7 from 3-4 p.m. Bush's new album King of My World will be released April 13 - his first studio album in 5 years. The project is a unique blend of bluegrass, rock, jazz, reggae, folk and country, and features his trademark blistering solos, heartfelt ballads and acoustic rock.

Soulful singer/songwriter Allison Moorer, a Gibson Montana artist, makes her Sugar Hill debut with The Duel, a major departure from her previous major-label albums. The project has a raw, stripped down electric sound that is in stark contrast to the polished, neo-traditional country albums she is known for. "It sounds like it was made after midnight," Moorer says. She will chat with her fans on Wed., April 14, from 1-2 p.m.

For both chats, go to www.gibson.com the day of the chat and look for the banner to log on beforehand.

Win a Gibson USA Pioneer Cutaway from the new Americana series

Check out the features page on gibson.com, answer a short survey and win a new Pioneer Cutaway acoustic/ electric guitar in vintage sunburst. Gibson USA's new Americana Series features the Pioneer, a round-shouldered, cutaway dreadnought, and the Ranger, reminiscent of the L-00 design. The guitars are based on the Chet Atkins SST solidbody acoustic concept and have a new body chambering process for extra resonance. The contest continues through June 30, so enter now!

Gibson SmartWood guitars have sustainable style

The Gibson Guitar Showroom in Beverly Hills will be the site for first annual Outstanding Sustainable Style Achievement (OSSA) Awards on April 14. The Sustainable Style Foundation (SSF) will launch the awards in partnership with the LA based Earth Communications Office (ECO). The OSSA Awards recognize outstanding social and environmental efforts across style industries that help us all 'look fabulous, live well and do good' and are designed to showcase the amount and breadth of sustainability efforts underway in style industries, as well as foster cross-industry awareness and inspiration. For the 2004 OSSA Awards launch, SSF will be announcing honorable mentions in each of the eight OSSA Award categories including communications and communications design; designed environments; entertainment; fashion and beauty; food and restaurant; industrial design and consumer products; and sports and travel. In addition, SSF will announce plans to launch several premier awards including the Style and Substance Award in honor of Audrey Hepburn, the Vision and Innovation Award and the Outstanding Public Expression Award. Other awards being announced at the OSSAs include PopSustainability's PopIcon Awards and the TREEty Awards which are the outcome of a collaboration between San Francisco-based New Leaf Paper and the Breast Cancer Fund. The Gibson Les Paul SmartWood Exotics line of guitars will receive an honorable mention, and a portion of all sales will be donated to benefit the Rainforest Alliance.

Slash promotes new Velvet Revolver album at Gibson London offices

Gibson signature guitarist Slash did a press event at Gibson London's offices on March 24 to tout Contraband, the debut album by his band Velvet Revolver. The band includes lead vocalist Scott Weiland, bassist Duff McKagan, drummer Matt Sorum, and guitarists Slash and Dave Kushner. The album will be released May 18 on RCA records. Loaded Magazine, a London men's monthly, was onhand to do a cover shoot with Slash and his Signature Les Paul. Stateside, Slash will grace the cover and be featured in the June issue of Guitar Player.

Ben Folds hits the college circuit with Baldwin piano

Piano man Ben Folds set out Friday, April 2, with his seven-foot Baldwin SF10 Artist Grand on a sweep of college campuses, and plans to release a new studio album this summer. The tour bowed at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. Fourteen dates dates are confirmed so far. The album is the followup to his critically-acclaimed 2001 solo debut, Rockin' the Suburbs, that he recorded after his departure from his band, Ben Folds Five.

Gibson goes to Germany for Musikmesse trade show

Gibson showcased a wide array of musical instruments as part of this year's Musikmesse trade show in Frankfurt, Germany, March 31 - April 4. The Gibson booth featured instruments from many divisions of the Gibson family including Gibson Memphis, Epiphone, Slingerland Drums, Tobias Bass and Gibson Montana. Slingerland, the legendary drum maker, will make its first official appearance at the international trade show since production of Slingerlands returned to the U.S. in 2003. The Slingerland exhibit featured new drum kits, including the Modern Jazz and Performer along with Radio King Snares and stands, plus a showcase of unique paint finishes. Gibson's Epiphone division offered a sneak peak into upcoming models, highlighted by a new signature model honoring the late singer-songwriter Jim Croce, to be produced later in 2004. Gibson's Tobias Bass division displayed its new U.S.-made basses.

GuitarTown public arts project coming to Nashville in May

Henry Juszkiewicz, Gibson Chairman and CEO, presented the first two 10-foot tall guitars for the Nashville GuitarTown project. World renowned fashion designer Manuel designed the first Les Paul, and Hatch Show Print artist Jim Sherraden designed the first Chet Atkins Country Gentleman. Hatch Show Print is a historic Nashville letterpress print shop responsible for posters featuring many music legends. The remaining 48 guitars will be designed by other local, regional and national visual artists. A special unveiling of the two completed sculptures will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame on May 13, 2004.

Sexy Mexican rocker Alejandra Guzman puckers up at Gibson Beverly Hills

Lipstick, the first English language album by Latino superstar Alejandra Guzman, debuted at a special listening party at the Gibson Beverly Hills Showroom March 23. An invitation-only event heralded the release of the album and video, and Guzman was there with a Gibson SG created especially for her by the Gibson USA division. The project was coproduced with songwriter Desmond Child, who also produced Guzman's 2001 album SOY; the album won a Grammy Award for Best Female Latin Rock Performance. The title track for Lipstick was recorded in both English and Spanish, and the album includes songs written by Guzman and singer Beto Cuevas from La Ley. Dates for the 2004 Lipstick U.S. tour were announced at the press conference.

The Wurlitzer Digital Jukebox receives rave reviews

The new Wurlitzer Digital Jukebox was featured in Maxim's online magazine with this review from the 2004 Consumer Electronics Show. The jukebox is designed for home use and features a sleek, contemporary design and cutting edge functionality, yet it is very simple to operate. It will be available in the consumer market in late 2004.

Not only does this nifty music player have touch-screen navigation, satellite speakers, a 145-watt three-way amp, and an 80 GB hard drive (that's a mighty 1,000 CDs' worth of music), the sleek design makes a bold statement, like, "I have shitloads of money and you don't!" maximonline.com

And this review appeared in Stuff's online magazine: Quit burying your MP3s in a PC that produces tinny sound. Instead, rip 'em onto this neo-retro 4.5-foot-tall jukebox and listen to them through a state-of-the-art Klipsch satellite-subwoofer speaker system. Store approximately 10,000 Windows Media Audio tracks on the 80-GB hard drive-all accessible and controlled via a wireless touch-screen remote. You can even upload your tunes from the Jukebox to a portable MP3 player via a USB port. www.stuffmagazine.com

Latin artist Alondra hits the road with Gibson on spring tour

"Now I know why they call them the Cadillac of guitars," said Alondra during a recent press conference. The Latin favorite will play a Les Paul Studio Limited in metallic yellow for her upcoming spring tour in support of her album Alondra 2004.