TRAVELING GUITAR
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| June 20, 2010 |
Contact:
Rick Young/Yamaha Corporation of America
(714) 522-9011 (ryoung@yamaha.com)
Marc Ferris/Giles Communications
(914) 798-7121 (mferris@giles.com)
Release Date:
June, 2010
YAMAHA AND TRAVELING GUITAR FOUNDATION
MAKE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC TOGETHER
–Company
Provides Low-Cost Guitar Kits and Keyboards to
Non-Profit That Donates Instruments to Needy Schools–
BUENA PARK, Calif. – Guitarist and songwriter Damon Marks has performed and
recorded with many top names in the music business. He also enjoys giving
back and is a co-founder of the Traveling Guitar Foundation, based in Scotch
Plains, N.J., which provides musical instruments for schools that lack
well-developed music programs.
In 2010, Damon performed with R&B recording artist
Jermaine Paul, for Alicia Keys “Freedom Tour”. Keys, a Yamaha Keyboard
Artist, spoke highly about their relationship with Yamaha and Senior Vice
President Rick Young, telling Marks that Yamaha would make a great fit with
his foundation.
Since coming to the United States fifty years ago, Yamaha has been a strong
supporter of music education and announces that it has developed a working
relationship with the Traveling Guitar Foundation, pledging to provide
low-cost Gigmaker Electric Guitar kits and digital keyboards that the
foundation will donate to worthy schools.
“We are always seeking ways to put instruments into the hands of students
because the value of active music-making in a child’s life is incalculable,”
said Rick Young, Senior Vice President at the Yamaha Corporation of America.
-MORE-
YAMAHA AND TRAVELING GUITAR FOUNDATION
2
MAKE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC TOGETHER
Gigmaker Electric Guitar kits include everything a beginner guitarist needs
to get started, including a Pacifica PAC012 guitar, an amplifier and a host
of other accessories. Yamaha makes a wide range of keyboards that represent
the entire spectrum of quality and value for keyboard players at every level
of proficiency.
The Traveling Guitar Foundation derives its name from two custom guitars
that are constructed each year by foundation co-founder Keith Ballurio of
Ballurio Guitars in Manassas, Virginia. These guitars go on tour for a year
and are placed in the hands of famous guitarists, who play and sign them.
The guitars are auctioned off at the end of the year and the proceeds help
the foundation fulfill its mission.
“Yamaha is a legendary company that helps bring strength and expertise to
the foundation,” said Marks. “Guitars and keyboards are the two hottest
instruments of choice for students and Yamaha makes some of the best guitars
and keyboards in the world.” Thanks to extensive media coverage, Marks’s foundation is functioning as a “well-oiled machine,” he says, and there’s no shortage of schools seeking him out for musical equipment. When he visits a school, he tries to bring along young artists to perform and well-known music personalities to help deliver the message and the goods, including Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC and music producer and artist Kasseem "SWIZZ BEATZ" Dean to name a few. Sponsoring artists include renowned guitarists Eric Johnson, Bruce Kulick and Steve Lukather.
The new relationship with Yamaha “lets us continue to
grow,” said Marks, “so now we can increase our
presence and bring the value of music education to a bigger audience.”
For more information about the Yamaha Corporation of America, write Yamaha
Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714)
522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; visit www.yamaha.com.
About Yamaha
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| May 3, 2010 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MOGAMI CABLE JOINS TRAVELING GUITAR FOUNDATION TO RAISE FUNDS FOR SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAMS EL SEGUNDO, CA, May 3, 2010 - Mogami Cable, a division of Marshall Electronics, is joining the Traveling Guitar Foundation in their mission to bring much needed equipment and funding to music programs financially devastated by budget cuts. Co-founded by guitarist/recording artist Damon Marks, the Traveling Guitar Foundation works with manufacturers who donate products for use by students in classrooms, as well as unique instruments for fund-raising. Major contributors include co-founder Keith Ballurio of Ballurio Guitars which provides hand-crafted guitars for auction. The guitars travel the country and are autographed by some of the country’s leading artists and rock legends. According to Marks, 100% of the proceeds are then given directly to schools. “Schools are either eliminating or drastically cutting back on programs and music courses are the first things to go,” notes Marks. “Our foundation not only raises money, but we also donate tangible equipment like guitars, amps, straps, pics and cable—everything students need to get started.” Dean Guitars is a major contributor to the program’s guitar kits. Mogami’s contribution to the foundation includes Mogami Gold Instrument cables for guitar/amp kits that will be presented to students at an upcoming charity event. “We want to support young artists and also show them what it’s like to work with really good cable,” says Phil Tennison, Product Manager at Mogami Cable. “The Traveling Guitar Foundation is an outstanding organization and we hope more manufacturers will get involved.” Other sponsors include MBK Entertainment, D’Addario, Seymour Duncan, and Northland Forest Products. To learn more about the Traveling Guitar Foundation and how to get involved, visit Traveling Guitar Foundation. For more information about Mogami cable, visit MOGAMI® - Professional Audio Cables. About Mogami Cable Often referred to as “The Cable of the Pros,” Mogami Cable is known world-wide for unmatched accuracy, extremely low noise, ease of installation, flexibility, and superior quality. Virtually every major recording facility is wired with Mogami, which means that just about any music you listen to has passed through Mogami somewhere in the recording chain. Years of research and development goes into every Mogami Cable, and every foot of Mogami cable is proudly manufactured in our Nagano, Japan facility. To learn more about Mogami cable, visit our website at www.mogamicable.com |
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| May 1, 2010 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 1ST, 2010 MUSIC PRODUCER AND MOGUL KASSEEM "SWIZZ BEATZ" DEAN TO HELP CHILDREN'S MUSIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION Noted music producer and artist Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean will be appearing at the Mosaic Preparatory Academy (141 East 111th Street. New York, NY 10029). Program begins at 1PM on May 18th with the Traveling Guitar Foundation to raise funds and awareness for children's music education. Special performances by the following artists, Emma Norris, Lipstick Magazine, DIOS MUSIC NJ rappers BDS and ELECTRIC LIFE recording artist Derek McKeith. Dean, with hits like "Stop Drop", "Get Me Bodied", and "On To The Next One" is speaking to the students of Mosaic Preparatory Academy on the importance of education in their future careers, with a particular emphasis on the music industry. Coming from a musical family, Swizz Beatz began producing tracks at the age of 16, and has become a major force in music. Swizz has a history of promoting young up-and-coming artists, so music education is a subject dear to his heart. Teaming up with the Traveling Guitar Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing equipment and funds to school systems and music education programs, is an ideal venue for Swizz Beatz. "The youth are the future! Organizations like the Traveling Guitar Foundation keep music programs alive and give creative outlets to young people, so I had to get involved." The Traveling Guitar Foundation (TGF) is focused on shaping the future of the music industry through children's education. Along with corporate sponsorship and performing sponsors, TGF works with manufacturers who donate products for use by students in classrooms, as well as unique instruments for fund-raising. Major contributors include Dean Guitars, a major contributor to the program's guitar kits. Mogami Cable, donating Mogami Gold Instrument cables for the Dean guitar/amp kits. Co-founder Damon Marks is passionate about the cause, saying "Children are the future of our music business; music education and cutting edge musical equipment like electric guitars need to stay in the school systems. Having a great talent like Swizz Beatz speak with the children is very motivating and inspirational. Contact: dm@damonmarks.com & strimdacosta@gmail.com : Cell 1-908-922-6781 & 1-917-833-2693 www.travelingguitar.org www.deanguitars.com www.mogamicable.com |
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| March 9th, 2010 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 9th, 2010
Mary T. Nunn, Bayberry School Principal, stated in an open letter to the Traveling Guitar Foundation, "The Watchung School District would like to thank the founders Damon Marks and Keith Ballurio for considering us for their amazing music education donations. We are honored to be granted this opportunity to represent the Traveling Guitar Foundation.”
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| February 16, 2010 |
Seymour
Duncan Artist Spotlight on Damon Marks
THE TRAVELING GUITAR FOUNDATION Check it out! One of our long time users and new Seymour Duncan endorser, Damon Marks, is a guitarist as well as co-founder of The Traveling Guitar Foundation. The Foundation has a custom guitar named “The Traveler” that is sent from state to state to major artists in the music industry who sign the guitar, have their pictures taken with it, and then “The Traveler” guitar is auctioned off for charity. All proceeds from the foundation are donated to fund music education programs for children in school systems throughout the USA. In addition to the charitable donation from the auctions, The Traveling Guitar Foundation also directly donates guitars to the schools’ music education classes. Damon has one on one interaction with the kids teaching music theory, explaining the different types of equipment used, and nurtures the vision of how music helps in general. That being said, Damon and The Traveling Guitar Foundation have touched the lives of thousands of kids around the USA. “I have always been into giving back and helping kids that have had limited resources with music. When I met and started talking to my partner Keith Ballurio, the vision and synergy were completely there. We knew that by forming the Foundation it would help kids out around the country,” says Damon Marks. |
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| January 18, 2009 |
OPEN LETTER To The Traveling Guitar Foundation: WATCHUNG BOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS Bayberry School 113 Bayberry Lane Watchung, New Jersey 07069
Our Story Several years ago, the General Music classroom at Valley View Middle School had become outdated and limited in its resources and student interest. With the gracious help from the Traveling Guitar Foundation, we are able to offer an exciting program inviting students to develop their creativity while fostering important learning in the areas of music history, theory, composition and technique. This wonderful gift will give over 340 students from the 5th grade through the 8th grade an opportunity to experience making music through learning how to play the guitar. From each of these experiences many students will begin taking private guitar and piano lessons. Providing these musical experiences helps to shape good citizenship and promotes continued support of the arts through our children. Supplying these valuable tools invokes musical creativity and keeps our students involved in community events. We recently formed a guitar club that meets weekly after school providing students with an outlet to pursue stronger interests. Through this club, students have the invaluable opportunity to work with other students from various grade levels. A great deal of inspirational learning occurs in this environment. Students choose music together and work towards a concert performance. Our Goals Many students have expressed strong interest in playing "electric and bass electric guitars." Our current objectives are to expand our program to include electric guitars and stock necessary items such as strings and required accessories like tuners, effects, and storage units to house equipment. By setting up storage and supply cabinets, we can maintain and service our guitars properly, an area where the Traveling Guitar Foundation will help greatly.
Current trends show that along with a traditional program, we should continue to foster student involvement in the arts by including music and instruments that attract student attention. The guitar whether it be acoustic or electric is the main instrument of choice for middle school aged children.
With the inclusion of both bass and regular electric guitars, we can also enhance concert performances by including drums, bass and electric guitars. Students from the guitar club can accompany the Choral Groups when performing "pop" related material. The one on one interaction between professional and student from the Traveling Guitar Foundation gives inspiration to the children.
A Realistic Economy Given the fact that our current economy limits our desired goals and dictates that we maintain only what is necessary to provide students education in the arts, purchasing this equipment and supplies remains only a strong desire toward our future goals. With the help of donations and supplies from The Traveling Guitar Foundation, we will realize these goals.
The Watchung School District would like to thank the founders Damon Marks and Keith Ballurio for considering us for their amazing music education donations. We are honored to be granted this opportunity to represent the Traveling Guitar Foundation.
Contact
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| December 12, 2009 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 2009 ### |
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| November 6, 2009 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2009
Auction
proceeds from program go to Music Based Programs and Charities. MANASSAS, VA – November 6, 2009 – The Premier Guitar
and Guitar Edge multimedia networks have teamed up with the Traveling Guitar
Program to raise support and awareness on a global scale for the need of
music education where resources are scarce. As sponsors of Traveling Guitar,
Premier Guitar and Guitar Edge will be lending their global reach to more
than 600,000 guitarists around the world to the program and its mission of
improving access to music education. Traveling Guitar has a two-pronged
approach for raising funds in support of its mission: The Traveling Guitar Program: Annually, the Traveling Guitar Program sends two custom-built guitars on a journey from artist to artist, state to state, collecting stage time and autographs. At the end of their journey, the guitars are auctioned with 100 percent of the proceeds going to support charity. Guitar Donation and Auction Program: Donated guitars will be collected, have the setup checked
and if needed, corrected. The guitars will then be auctioned online with 100
percent of the proceeds going to support the Make a Noise Foundation. Both aspects of the Traveling Guitar Program will be
substantially promoted by Premier Guitar and Guitar Edge and winners of the
Traveling Guitar auction will receive a one-year subscription to each print
magazine. Keith Ballurio, founder of the Traveling Guitar, says,
"The addition of Premier Guitar and Guitar Edge as sponsors to the
program is very exciting. The generous donation of promotion and
complimentary subscriptions to the ‘premier’ gear and guitar instruction
magazines shows their dedication to spreading the joy of music." "We all commend the work of the Traveling Guitar
Program and are happy to help ‘turn up the volume’ on getting its core
message out,” states Peter Sprague, CEO of Premier Guitar. “Improving
access to music-related programming is extremely important to us and we will
gladly use the reach of our print and electronic platforms to raise
awareness and support for such a noble endeavor.” For more information, contact Keith Ballurio at
703-791-2020. About the Traveling Guitar Program
(www.travelingguitar.org): Annually, the Traveling Guitar Project sends custom built
guitars on a journey from artist to artist, state to state. The guitars are
played and signed by guitarists from all music genres. After a year on the
road, the guitars are auctioned on eBay with 100 percent of the proceeds
being donated to fund music education and programs for those unable to
pursue these activities due to limited resources. For more information on
the journey and auction of the Traveling Guitars, visit http://www.travelingguitar.org. About Guitar Edge
(http://www.guitaredge.com):
The Guitar Edge multimedia network features four
integrated platforms; the Guitar Edge Web site (www.guitaredge.com); the
free Guitar Edge digital magazine (http://digital.guitaredge.com); the
Guitar Edge print magazine; and Guitar Xtra, a free weekly E-newsletter.
Guitar Edge was first published by Hal Leonard in July/August 2006 as a
bimonthly print magazine. Through a joint venture, established in July 2009,
between Hal Leonard and Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge has adopted the four-platform
multimedia model, pioneered by Premier Guitar. Guitar Edge is the world's
first and only online resource for free artist-approved, fully-licensed
authentic guitar tab. About Premier Guitar
(http://www.premierguitar.com):
Offering guitarists a multimedia source for news, gear
info and education/instruction, Premier Guitar is the media home for players
who are serious about their tone. PG's gear‐centric print magazine has
a monthly readership of more than 51,000 complemented by its freely
accessible digital magazine (http://digital.premierguitar.com) which
attracts more than 31,000 monthly visits; a Web site (www.premierguitar.com)
that's the fastest-growing portal in the guitar industry with an average of
more than 500,000 unique visitors consuming almost 11 million page views per
month; and the market's leading interactive gear search service that
attracts more than 200,000 monthly visitors. With nearly 50,000 pieces of
gear, players can find, buy and sell gear on Gear Search (http://www.premierguitar.com/gear/gear_search.aspx).
Published by Gearhead Communications, LLC, Premier Guitar is employee-owned
and based in Additional Contact Information:
Founder of the Traveling Guitar Nick Ireland Marketing Manager
for Premier Guitar & Guitar Edge 319-447-5550 |
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| August 27, 2009 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 27, 2009
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