It was 11 a.m. on a Tuesday morning but it was no ordinary day at the Gibson Garage as Alex Lifeson - yes the guitarist from RUSH was there for a short presentation. Folks from near and far had traveled to Nashville, Tennessee on August 16, 2022 to see the legend in person at a spot which is becoming legendary in its own right. The Gibson Garage is an axe haven. The first thing you see as you walk in are hundreds of colorful, iconic instruments in the form of Les Pauls, Flying Vs, Firebirds, SGs and more that move over your head on a non-stop conveyor belt. This versatile retail experience runs the range from koozies to a custom shop.

Alex Lifeson of RUSH gave a life-affirming presentation in Nashville.

James "JC" Curleigh the President & CEO of Gibson Brands, Inc. welcomed fans with a few comments which included drawing attention to the guitars above us. JC said he considered RUSH one of the greatest bands on earth before Alex joined him for a chat. Lifeson has had a long relationship with Gibson so the two ran through that journey which started back in the late 1960's when a young Alex got his first guitar.

The conversation moved to a discussion about Lifeson auctioning for charity a lot of his cherished guitars with the idea that they would do more good out in the world than hanging on his walls. "Doing Good Things" was a theme that was repeated a number of times which was part of the reason Alex was in Music City.

Alex Lifeson and James "JC" Curleigh at the Gibson Garage.

Lifeson has a number of signature guitars in partnership with Gibson. He talked about how he wanted them to be accessible to beginners as far as playability and price. In addition it was announced that royalties from the sale of Alex Lifeson models would be given to local charities in Music City. Although Alex is not from and does not live in Nashville he wanted to give back to Gibson's community. Gibson Gives assisted Alex in picking two worthy organizations - Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and Room In The Inn.

"Music brings comfort," said Dr. John Thomas (Chief of Staff at Vanderbilt) who was there to accept the gift on behalf of the Hospital. Rachel Hester Executive Director at Room In The Inn talked about belonging and helping the homeless find their place in the world. Both were presented with signed Gibson Gives Les Pauls in honor of this occasion and got a photo with Lifeson.

Rachel Hester of Room In The Inn and Dr. John Thomas of Vanderbilt Children's Hospital
take possession of their donated Alex Lifeson signature guitars.

Mr. Curleigh did ask about Alex's appearance at Red Rocks on August 10, 2022 with RUSH bandmate Getty Lee where the two played "Closer To The Heart" with Primus. Lifeson said it was good to be back on stage and said they had two more gigs lined up those being the Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts in September. He did not say anything about more dates but plenty of people are hoping that these three shows might lead to something - time will tell. In the meantime the guitarist has plenty of other interests to keep him busy such as flying, golfing, painting, producing and doing good!

For two decades Gibson Gives has made generous donations to meet their goal of making the world a better place by creating, developing and supporting programs that advance youth-focused or healing music initiatives. Last year, Gibson Gives contributed $300,000 so that students attending Metro Nashville Public Schools would receive guitars and other musical instruments. Tuesday's event was another example of how Gibson Gives works with artists like Alex Lifeson to do good in the Music City community and beyond.

Vicki Hudson - vocalist for The Spirit of Rush from Atlanta and Dave Isaacs the Nashville Guitar Guru
came out on a Tuesday morning to pay homage to a guitar god.

Related Links: For more information on ALEX LIFESON and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links - Alex Lifeson | Gibson Garage | Gibson Gives | Gibson Gives Donates $30,000 to NMAAM | Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt | Room In The Inn | The Spirit of Rush | Nashville Guitar Guru