Gibson Plays It Forward With Guitars For Vets,
Program Brings The Power of Music To Returning U.S. Veterans
L-R: Patrick Nettesheim (Guitars Fo r Vets), Jason Kimmons (Gibson), Peter Nugris (U.S. veteran), Sully Erna (Godsmack), Henry Thomas (U.S. veteran) and Brandon Branham (U.S. veteran). Download photos: Here .
 

Gibson Gives is all about making music matter, one guitar at a time.

 
NASHVILLE, TN (November 11, 2019) Gibson , the iconic American instrument brand, has partnered with Guitars For Vets to bring the power of music to returning U.S. military veterans. Gibson opened the doors of its Custom Shop in Nashville to debut a donation of 48 guitars and 19,000 string sets as well as pledge their continued support to Guitars For Vets. Guitars For Vets provides veterans with guitars and a forum to learn how to play which is in line with the new Gibson Gives mission. Gibson artist Sully Erna  of the multi-platinum rock group   Godsmack presented the gift to U.S. Veterans Henry Thomas, Pete Nugris , Brandon Branham and Patrick Nettesheim Co-Founder of Guitars For Vets .
 
“We have a problem in this country and it’s suicide amongst veterans,” explains Patrick Nettesheim , Co-Founder of Guitars For Vets . “When I started Guitars For Vets it was 18 suicides per day, it’s getting worse, but it ’s my belief we're making progress and we hear this through testimonials all the time, ’this guitar saved my life.’ It’s a great fit to be with the Gibson Foundation because they’re about supporting and creating musicians. With over 400 volunteers and 110 chapters in 43 states we show up to teach guitar and when vets graduate, they get a brand-new acoustic guitar.”
 
“It’s an honor to be a part of this presentation to our veterans here at the iconic Gibson Custom Shop,” says Sully Erna of Godsmack . “Thanks to our veterans and everything they have done for our country.”
 
“Gibson Gives is an opportunity to play it forward and this is what matters,” adds James “JC” Curleigh, President and CEO of Gibson . “We are pleased to join Guitars For Vets, when veterans come home, we should have solutions for them and we have solutions through music.
 
Thousands of U.S. veterans are afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) . In fact, more soldiers have committed suicide since the Vietnam War than have died in actual battle. Many are now finding hope in an unlikely place: behind the wood and strings of an acoustic guitar. The healing power of music helps soldiers cope and Guitars For Vets (501(c)3) provides veterans with guitars and a forum to learn how to play to relieve stress. With over 80,000 guitar lessons and 3,000 guitars gifted so far, Guitars for Vets has refined a guitar instruction program aimed at providing Veterans struggling with physical injuries, PTSD and more a unique supportive program. Guitars For Vets pursues its mission to share the healing power of music by providing free guitar instruction, a new acoustic guitar and a guitar accessory kit in a structured program run by volunteers, primarily through the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and community-based medical centers. Guitars For Vets’ mission is to help those who served our country rediscover their joy through the power of music. Watch the Guitars For Vets video Here and for more information, visit: www.guitarsforvets.org .
 
Gibson Giv es is the front end of the Gibson Foundation whose overall mission is to make music matter one guitar at a time. For more information on the Gibson Foundation, visit: www.gibsonfoundation.org .
 
Watch and share the video of the Gibson Gives presentation to Guitars For Vets , shot on location at the Gibson Custom Shop, Here . Music credit: Godsmack “Unforgettable.”
Click on the above photo to play the video.
Click on the photo above to play the video.
L -R: James "JC" Curleigh (Gibson, President and CEO), Jason Kimmons (Gibson employee) , Patrick Nettesheim (Guitars For Vets, Co-Founder ), Peter Nugris (U.S. veteran), Sully Erna (Godsmack), Henry Thomas (U.S. veteran) Dendy Jarrett   (Gibson Fou ndation, Executive Director), Brandon Branham (U.S. veteran) and
Cesar Gueikian (Gibson, Chief Merchant Officer) .
Download photos: Here .

 
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About Gibson:
Gibson Brands , the world’s most iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for more than 100 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, TN , Gibson Brands has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson Brands portfolio includes Gibson , the number one guitar brand , as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, Kramer, Steinberger and Gibson Pro Audio division brands Cerwin Vega, KRK Systems and Stanton . Gibson Brands is dedicated to quality, innovation and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by Gibson Brands . Learn more at http://www.gibson.com and follow us on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram .
 
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