Tuesday July 29th, 2003

MusiCares is big winner at Gibson/Baldwin Night at the Net

Aussie tennis star Lleyton Hewitt teamed with television celebrity Dr. Phil McGraw to win the second annual Gibson/Baldwin Night At The Net, an annual pro-celebrity charity match that opens the prestigious 77th Annual Mercedes-Benz Cup tennis tournament at UCLA. The big winner was MusiCares, the charitable arm of the Recording Academy that focuses on issues which directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. Rob Senn, COO of Gibson Guitar and Baldwin Piano, presented a check for $67,500 and Gibson Night at the Net guitar to Neil Portnow, President of the Recording Academy and MusiCares.

Neil Portnow, President of the Recording Academy and MusiCares receives a check from
Gibson Guitar and Baldwin Piano COO, Robb Senn

"We make Gibson guitars and Baldwin pianos to provide lifestyle-enhancing entertainment, but our responsibilities don't stop there," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson and Baldwin. "We're proud to join with the Recording Academy and these great athletes and celebrities who have donated their time and talent to support the important humanitarian work of MusiCares."

Baldwin artist Diane Schuur

Baldwin artist Diane Schuur performed at center court to kick off the event that featured tennis heroes Hewitt, three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten, and 34 ATP career singles title winner Michael Chang as well as Golden Globe/Peabody Award-winning comedian, producer, and author Tom Arnold, recording artist/actress Melissa Errico, multiple GRAMMY winner Schuur, Epiphone signature artist Skunk Baxter and veteran NYPD tenor Daniel Rodriguez, among others.

MusiCares is delighted to have the sponsorship support of Gibson Guitar and Baldwin Piano with an event as prestigious as the Mercedes-Benz Cup, said Portnow. Its heartwarming to see dedicated artists and athletes contributing their time and energy to benefit our Emergency Financial Assistance program, which provides confidential resources to those in our music community who need help the most.

Charlie's Angels - Gothic V guitar

MusiCares is holding an online auction hosted by eBay from July 14-31 in conjunction with the Gibson/Baldwin Night At The Net. Celebrity music and sports memorabilia from artists and athletes including B.B. King, Les Paul, Mary J. Blige, Pete Sampras, Venus & Serena Williams, and many, many more will be available for auction, with proceeds supporting MusiCare's valuable health and human service programs. The auction will also include an exclusive Mercedes-Benz Cup VIP package, VIP GRAMMY experience packages, as well as a Grand Slam Tennis package. The auction features a special piece of movie and entertainment memorabilia a Gibson guitar signed on the set of Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle. The special Gothic V guitar got a few degrees hotter after it was signed by the Angels themselves Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu.

Established in 1989 by the Recording Academy, MusiCares mission is to ensure that music people have a compassionate place to turn to in times of need while focusing the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. MusiCares is dedicated to providing a safety net of critical assistance and to treating each case with integrity and confidentiality. Programs provide much-needed services and resources to individuals in the music community who are confronted by a wide range of financial, medical and personal problems. For more information about MusiCares or the Recording Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.

Dr. Phil and Lleyton Hewitt hoist the Cup

Back Row: Nina Miller, Rob Senn, Fred Willard, John Salley and Neil Portnow.
Front Row: Daniel Rodriguez, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Melissa Errico, Diane Schuur, Mia St. John and Jeff Baxter

Rob Senn, Lleyton Hewitt and Neil Portnow with the Gibson Night at the Net guitar

Melissa Errico and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter

Melissa Errico signs the Night at the Net guitar

Tom Arnold

Michael Chang with his daughter

Rob Senn, Tom Arnold, Neil Portnow and Nina Miller

Go here to see photos from last year's event.