Write a Strange Song, Win a Strange Epiphone

Emily the Strange, the internet's mischievous Goth girl, wants to hear how she has inspired you musically, and she'll give away a new Epiphone Limited Edition Emily the Strange G-310 to the creator of the song she likes best. The Emily guitar is a full-fledged Epi electric guitar featuring Emily's face and other familiar graphics from the character created on the internet by the Cosmic Debris company. To enter, send in a creative, weird song about Emily recorded on video, tape or CD by June 13, 2004. For details, go here!

Gibson and Epi get TechKnowoverload on campus technology tour.

A pair of Gibson Melody Makers, an Epiphone Special II and an Epi AJ-100 acoustic are touring select college campuses across the U.S. as part of the Consumer Electronic Association's TechKnowoverload (aka TKO CEA) Campus Technology Tour. The tour features the best in digital technology and consumer electronics, offering hands-on experience as well as the opportunity to win some of the high-tech gadgets through an Ultimate Dorm Room Sweepstakes. For more information, go to: www.tkotour.com

Race winner gets "a head" in Country Music Marathon

The runners who are ahead at the finish line of the 2004 Country Music Marathon (Apr. 24 in Nashville) will win a trophy made from a Gibson headstock (a head, get it?). The men's and women's champions will also receive a Gibson guitar, to be presented at the post-race concert event. Country star Brad Paisley headlines this year's concert, with special guest Carolyn Dawn Johnson. Elite Racing, the producer of CMM and the Rock & Roll Marathons, has raised more than $30 million for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. The Country Music Marathon is a certified course and a "qualifier" for the Boston Marathon.

Gibson and Baldwin go to Memphis for the best of the blues

The W.C. Handy Blues Awards celebrate 25 years as the pre-eminent blues honors, and Gibson and Baldwin are sponsoring this year's event, set Apr. 29 in Memphis. Handy Award nominees scheduled to perform include Renee Austin; Eric Bibb; Rory Block; Michael Burks; Jimmy Burns; Henry Butler; Mickey Champion; Deborah Coleman; Nick Curran and the Nitelifes; Ronnie Earl; Andra Faye; Zac Harmon and the Mid South Revue; Ellis Hooks; Fruteland Jackson; EG Kight; Bettye LaVette; Mark Lemhouse; Joe Maher; Nick Moss and the Flip Tops; Maria Muldaur; Charlie Musselwhite; Calvin Owens; Pinetop Perkins; Sonny Rhodes; Eddie Shaw; E.C. Scott; Otis Taylor; and Kim Wilson.

Slamming Music (and Tennis) at the Gibson Baldwin Grand Slam Jam IV

Chris Robinson & New Earth Mud, The Nick Sterling Band, and Lee Roy Parnell will kick off the musical events for the annual Gibson Baldwin Grand Slam Jam tennis tournament, Apr. 29-30 in Austin. The Jam takes place at La Zona Rosa on Apr. 29. The Grand Slam Jam Shootout on Apr. 30, features event founder and host Jim Courier, John McEnroe, Chris Evert, Corina Morariu and funnyman Jon Lovitz. Then the music starts again with a jam at "Austin City Limits" studio featuring Gavin DeGraw and Steve Bailey, with guest appearances by McEnroe and Courier. The events benefit the Hope Foundation, which supports the research and work of the Southwest Oncology Group.

Rock warrior Bart Walsh shares guitar secrets at Gibson dealers

Bart Walsh, former guitarslinger in David Lee Roth's band, will show you how it's done - or how you want to do it - at a series of free guitar clinics at four Gibson dealers during May. Bart's clinics feature tips on improving technique, along with detailed explanations of the features and benefits of owning a Gibson guitar. In addition to his stint with DLR, Bart studied at the Musicians Institute in California with such influential guitarists as Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Frank Gambale and Howard Roberts, and he has played on sessions for Tia Carrere, Brett Michaels and shows like "King of the Hill" and "Special Op Forces." Call these dealers for info and reservations:

May 12 Accent Music, Wilmington, DE, 302-999-9939

May 18 Richmond Music Center, Richmond, VA, 804-330-7875

May 19 Alpha Music, Virginia Beach, VA, 757-486-2001

May 25 Dave's Guitar Shop in Lacrosse, WI, 608-785-7704

When Doves Scream Special Guitar for Gospel Music Week

Gibson USA has created a special guitar to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Dove Awards, presented by the Gospel Music Association on April 28 in Nashville's Municipal Auditorium. CBS Sports personality Deion Sanders and gospel music sensation Yolanda Adams will host the ceremonies, which will be shown live on the big screens at select Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theaters and Edwards Theaters. UPN will televise the music show on May 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

News on gibson.com

- Mandolinist extraordinaire Sam Bush chats live with fans about his eclectic music and his new CD King of My World. For the chat transcript go here!

- The Baldwin warranty, already the longest in the piano business, has now been extended to limited lifetime coverage on grands.

- NASCAR's Michael Waltrip reaches for a Gibson in winner's circle of Pepsi 300. The Busch Series points leader picked up auto racing's coolest trophy - a custom Les Paul designed by motor sports artist Sam Bass.

- X-Plorer Studio beefs up with full-size humbuckers, retains ergonomic 90-percent body size.