Sugarland Signs Gretsch Nashville

The guitar was donated to AthFest by The Gretsch Foundation, an organization chartered by Savannah’s Fred and Dinah Gretsch to help promote music and arts education programs. Says Fred Gretsch, “When folks who understand the value of music as a way to enrich people’s lives work together, amazing things can be accomplished.”

The Gretsch Foundation donates Gretsch guitars to programs like AthFest AfterSchool, AthFest InSchool, and Keys For Kids. The guitars are decorated by major artists and/or signed by prominent musicians, and then auctioned off on eBay to raise funds. Over the past two years The Foundation has donated guitars signed by the members of R.E.M., Widespread Panic, and The Drive By Truckers.

Gretsch’s 6120 Nashville model guitar was first built in 1954 in collaboration with Chet Atkins. It’s been offered in many deluxe versions over the succeeding years.

For more information on Gretsch guitars, go to www.gretschguitars.com. More information on AthFest is available at www.athfest.com.

Kyle Petty Gretsch Guitar Auction

The Gretsch Company has teamed up with the 14th Anniversary Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, an eight-day motorcycle ride led by Petty which raises funds for and awareness of Victory Junction Gang Camp and other children’s charities. Kyle Petty and his wife Pattie founded Victory Junction in 2004 in honor of their son Adam with the mission of enriching the lives of children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses by creating camping experiences that are memorable, exciting, fun, empowering, physically safe and medically sound.

The Gretsch Company is honored to be a part of the fundraising efforts for this year’s Charity Ride. We hope that you’ll consider supporting this incredible cause by bidding on this very unique Gretsch collector’s item!

The Gretsch Foundation, the charitable arm of Savannah-based The Gretsch Company, donated the guitar to the Charity Ride to be signed by Petty during a recent visit to the camp.  Manufactured in 2000, the guitar has been housed in the Gretsch Foundation’s private guitar collection and is being released to the Kyle Petty Charity Ride charity by special arrangement. The guitar is in brand new condition and has only been played by Kyle Petty (an avid guitarist) for a few moments prior to the signing.

About The Gretsch Nashville Guitar Series

The Gretsch Nashville guitar model was originally developed in 1954 in collaboration with country music giant Chet Atkins and has been offered in many deluxe versions over the years. Information on this and other current guitar models is available at gretschguitars.com. Prices on current Nashville models start at $3,150.

About Victory Junction Gang Camp

The Victory Junction Gang Camp is a not-for-profit organization founded by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and his wife, Pattie, in honor of their son Adam.  Located on 84 acres in Randleman, N.C., the camp opened its doors in 2004 to enrich the lives of children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses by creating camping experiences that are memorable, exciting, fun, empowering, physically safe and medically sound.  The Pettys recently announced the opening of a second Victory Junction Gang Camp in Wyandotte County, Kan.  victoryjunction.org

About The Kyle Petty Charity Ride

Led by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, The Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America raises awareness of and funds for Victory Junction Gang Camp and other charities supporting chronically ill children.  The Charity Ride is one of the most successful and popular charity events in NASCAR.  Now in its 14th year, the Charity Ride has donated more than $10.5 million to children’s charities, with 5,700 participants logging more than 7.2 million cumulative motorcycle miles.  In 2008, NASCAR celebrities, ride sponsors and motorcycle enthusiasts will travel from Traverse City, Mich. to Savannah, Ga. from July 13-20.  kylepettycharityride.com

About The Gretsch Company

Founded in 1883 as a small musical instrument shop in Brooklyn, N.Y., The Gretsch Company, now based in Savannah, Ga., has produced some of the world’s greatest drums and guitars over the span of four generations.  With its emphasis on hand-craftsmanship and commitment to quality, Gretsch has pioneered new designs and manufacturing techniques, winning endorsements from some of the music industry’s most respected artists, including Chet Atkins, Charlie Watts, Neil Young and Phil Collins.  Gretsch also owns and manufactures some of the other most popular and historic music industry products and brands including Bigsby¨ Vibratos and Sho-Bud¨ Pedal Steel Guitars.  The company has strong worldwide ties with musical giants Kaman and Fender, placing the Gretsch name in concert halls and recording studios around the globe. Find out more about The Gretsch Company and its 125th anniversary at gretsch125th.com.

Calling all Collectors!!

Gretsch Bo Diddley and Grestch designed this guitar in 1958. The signature model bears Bo Diddley’s ‘John Hancock’ on the head stock of the instrument. On the neck of the guitar, the Grestch nameplate is proudly displayed.

This GRETSCH BO DIDDLEY signature model guitar has been signed by Tom Petty and all of the band members of the Heartbreakers. It was signed in 2006, marking their 30th anniversary. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are now on tour celebrating this monumental anniversary, making the guitar even more collectible.

This coveted auction item inspired the theme of the 2006 Auction Party – “Into the Great Wide Open” – Petty’s 1991 album and single of the same title.

Auction Information:

Savannah Country Day School is hosting its first fund raising auction on November 4, 2006 at the Hyatt in downtown Savannah, GA. Approximately 12 items will be auctioned in the live auction the night of the event, along with over 300 in the silent auction.

Due the special nature and collectibility of one item, a Bo Diddley model Gretsch guitar signed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on their 30th anniversary tour donated by the Gretsch family, Savannah Country Day School will take bids via email until 4 pm ET on November 3rd, 2006. The guitar will be offered during the live auction on November 4th with a minimum bid equaling the highest online bid. If no higher bid is offered at the live auction, the highest online bidder will be awarded the guitar.

Bidding Information:

Email bids must be sent to carr@savcds.org before 4 pm ET on November 3rd, 2006 and must include the name, address, telephone, and email address of the bidder. Please type “Gretsch Guitar Bid” in the subject line of email bids. Savannah Country Day School will post on its website as soon as is practicable after a bid is received the current highest bid. In case equal bids arrive in relative proximity to one another, the time stamp of the email will determine the earliest bid.

The highest online bidder will be notified before the beginning of live bidding that his/her bid has been received and will determine the minimum bid for the live auction. Buyers will be responsible for shipping and insurance.

For more auction details click here.