Gibson Experience At SXSW Offers Diverse Mix of Performances Featuring: Joan Jett, Tim McGraw, Nathaniel Rateliff, Shakey Graves, Lukas Nelson & Promise of The Real, The Marcus King Band, Ben Dickey & More

March 22, 2019 Press Release In the News 0

Tim McGraw at the Gibson Austin Showroom. Credit: Ryan Vestil.

PRESIDENT AND CEO JAMES “JC” CURLEIGH DELIVERS FEATURED TALK AT SXSW
ON THE FUTURE OF GIBSON TO PACKED CROWD IN AUSTIN DURING MUSIC WEEK

Nashville, TN – GIBSON blazed through SXSW Music Week in Austin last week showcasing artists from its past and its future era.

On Tuesday, the GIBSON experience at SXSW kicked-off with Hail Hail Rock N’ Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry. Fans and music enthusiasts packed into the GIBSON showroom in Austin to view the first-ever Gibson Chuck Berry 1955 ES 350T guitar—the first-ever collaboration with the rock n’ roll pioneer’s family–and enjoy a special demo of the guitar with a performance of chuck’s classic songs from his son Charles Berry Jr., his grandsons Charlie Berry III and Jahi Eskridge. Songbirds Guitar Museum provided a selection of rare and valuable Gibson vintage guitars for visiting artists and fans to view and play including Chuck Berry’s own Gibson ES 355 guitar.

Lukas Nelson plays his Gibson 1956 Les Paul Junior during LUCK Reunion at SXSW 2019. Credit: Ryan Vestil.

On Wednesday, Gibson President and CEO, James “JC” Curleigh delivered a powerful featured talk at SXSW to a packed industry crowd at the Austin Convention Center. Titled “Now What? Setting the Gibson Stage as the 125-Year-Old Start-up,” JC took a deep dive into the bright future of Gibson as the pre-eminent American-made instrument brand has emerged revitalized, re-envisioned, and recharged to its core mission, paying homage to its storied history as it embraces the next vanguard of musicians independent of generation, gender and genre. According to artists, guitar shops and fans around the world Gibson has been synonymous with creating, shaping, and owning sound for the past 125 years and is now ready for next century.

As the guitar of choice for artists in rock, pop, country, blues, folk, jazz, and beyond, the GIBSON experience was ever-present at the hottest SXSW events and performances from Sunday through Saturday during music week comprising a roster of legends, icons, and future stars. iHeartMedia’s private event with Tim McGraw kicked-off the week followed by, Willie Nelson and Family’s Farm-Aide benefit dinner and concert. GIBSON became the Official Guitar of LUCK Reunion, a multi-stage experience at Willie’s ranch known as Luck. The GIBSON team brought a selection of vintage guitars as well as a limited-edition ukulele crafted especially by Epiphone for Luck 2019 to the GIBSON LUCK lounge onsite at the festival. On Friday and Saturday, events at Aryln Studios SXSW Party and Plum Creek Sounds: Live From The Hills With Love rounded out the week. SXSW 2019 performances offered a diverse line-up including Joan Jett, Tim McGraw, Nathaniel Rateliff, Shakey Graves, Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real, The Marcus King Band, Hayes Carll, Ben Dickey, Liz Brasher, Emily Wolfe, The Vandoliers, Low Cut Connie, Jamie Lin Wilson, Quaker City Nighthawks, Swimming With Bears, Eric Tessmer, Black Pistol Fire, Chris Shiflett, Paul Cauthen, Erika Wennerstrom, Israel Nash, Jonathan Tyler, E.B. The Younger, Tyler Ramsey, Carson McHone, Brandy Zdan among many others.

The new era of GIBSON has begun. Stay tuned for more big news soon.

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