AthFest to Auction Gretsch Guitar Autographed By Widespread Panic

On Saturday, June 20, 2009, AthFest Inc. will place a Brian Setzer model Gretsch Nashville hollow-body electric guitar, complete with a custom hard shell case and signed by all the members of Widespread Panic, on eBay to be sold to the highest bidder. The online auction will end ten days later, late in the evening on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009.

The guitar was donated to AthFest, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, by the Gretsch Foundation. The guitar was originally built in 2000 and has been held in the Gretsch Foundation’s collection. Prices on current Gretsch Nashville models start at $4,100.00. Gretsch, who recently celebrated its 125th anniversary as a guitar maker, is based in Savannah, GA, and has a foundation that donates guitars decorated or signed by musicians, which are later sold to raise funds for music and arts education programs.

The proceeds from the sale of the guitar will be used to fund AthFest AfterSchool, an educational outreach division of AthFest with a mission to educate young people about music and arts. The program brings musicians and music business leaders into local schools to make presentations to classes and to mentor those who are interested in music careers. Last year a similar Gretsch guitar signed by the members of R.E.M. and auctioned on eBay brought in $6000.00 to the AthFest AfterSchool program.

AthFest founder Jared Bailey comments: "Last year's donation from the Gretsch Foundation was the keystone to building the AthFest AfterSchool music education program. We are very thankful that once again Gretsch has stepped up and donated another beautiful guitar. We are also very fortunate to have had the guitar's value enhanced by the autographs of the members of Widespread Panic."

AthFest is the annual arts and music festival held each June in historic downtown Athens, GA, a town long renowned for its thriving music scene. The mission of AthFest is to educate citizens and visitors about the music and arts scene in Athens, GA. Since 1997, AthFest has showcased the incredible musicians, artists, businesses and residents of the Athens community. In addition to live music, this family-friendly festival also includes a juried artisan market, KIDSFest, film events, and much more. From 2005-2009, ATHFEST has been included in the “TOP 20 Events for June” by the Southeast Tourism Society. AthFest 2009 will be held June 25-28, 2009.

For more details on AthFest, including a complete line up of over 200 bands appearing over the course of three days, visit WWW.ATHFEST.com