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Gibson Gets Revved and Ready for Summer NAMM in Nashville
by Rich and Laura Lynch
On July 14, 2021 the Gibson Garage in Nashville opened its doors for a private event billed as "An Evening To Benefit Gibson Gives and the NAMM Foundation". The party was also a celebration of the company's current success plus the two-year anniversary of the re-launch of Gibson Gives - the philanthropic arm of Gibson which has raised $2.5 million dollars worldwide through its mission of creating, developing, and supporting non-profit organizations in their efforts to advance musicians, as well as youth-focused education and wellness initiatives.
CEO and President of Gibson Brands James "JC" Curleigh welcomes the industry to his garage.
On Wednesday, Gibson CEO and President, James 'JC' Curleigh and NAMM CEO, Joe Lamond sat down for a live panel discussion on a diverse range of topics including the current and future goals of the music industry. Live music was provided by Bones Owens followed by The Last Bandoleros.
For 2021, instead of taking up a big space at the Music City Center Gibson set-up The Gibson Experience at Summer NAMM 2021 at the Gibson Garage located at 209 10th Avenue South, Nashville, TN (Cummins Station) that was in walking distance of the convention. In the main hall at NAMM Gibson has placed a throne of guitars for a photo opp. Representatives were on site to tell attendees about the Gibson Garage and they shared the announcement of the release of new guitars, gear, and more for Summer 2021 across the Gibson portfolio of Epiphone, Kramer, KRK and MESA/Boogie.
The Last Bandoleros played a set of first-rate rock and roll.
On the 14th, James Curleigh took the stage and welcomed folks from around the country to the Garage while talking about the history of the brand along with their vision to bring it back to its iconic glory. JC also chatted about Covid creativity which resulted in more people picking up the guitar in the downtime of 2020 thus taking a lot of folks by surprise. In response, Joe Lamond emphasized the importance of instruments and how they can change people's lives, which is why NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) founded in 1901 continues its ongoing mission to strengthen the music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. After the discussion it was time for the live performances.
Bones Ownes shows off the meat and muscle of his muse in Music City.
Bones Owens grew up listening to country and gospel. He picked up a guitar at age ten and by thirteen he was writing songs and playing in bands. He moved to Nashville in 2005 to find work as a studio and touring guitarist working for a diverse group of musicians ranging from Bon Jovi to Yelawolf. Bones is also a solo artist. At the Gibson Garage, Owens backed by a drummer presented a hard driving set packed with riveting guitar riffs.
James "JC" Curleigh and Joe Lamond hold a special NAMM opening summit in Nashville.
Formed in 2014, The Last Bandoleros are a Tex-Mex, pop-rock band consisting of Jerry Fuentes, Derek James with Diego and Emilio Navaira IV, sons of the late Tejano musician Emilio Navaira. Within a few years of starting up they were signed to Warner Music Nashville. The Last Bandoleros draw from a wide range of influences including blues, country, pop, rock and Tex-Mex.
The well-dressed band used both acoustic and electric Gibsons to showcase a feisty and flavorful set of tunes that concluded with a Tom Petty cover. "An Evening To Benefit Gibson Gives and the NAMM Foundation" was a celebration of the industry and the return of live music!
The Gibson Garage is a new musical mecca in Nashville.
Related Links:
For more information on SUMMER NAMM and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links --
Summer NAMM |
Gibson Garage |
Gibson Foundation |
The Last Bandoleros |
Bones Owens
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