Gibson commemorate flood with new Les Paul “swirl” finish
Almost one year on from the Nashville flood, Gibson has introduced the Anniversary Flood Les Paul Studio. From the press release; “The Nashville flood of May 2010 devastated not only the city in general but the music community in particular–and Gibson lies right at the heart of that community. Countless guitars, both vintage and new, were subsumed by waters that seemed would never stop rising, and for many of their players it was hard to see how this community would…
Gibson sues insurers for lack of flood coverage
Gibson Guitar Corp. is to sue two insurance companies for not fully covering flood damages to their Nashville Massman Drive facility where the company manufactures and stores its Les Pauls. Gibson suffered $17 million in damages during historic flooding in May at the facility, which includes an 110,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and a 30,000-square-foot storage area for finished goods, according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. The guitar maker claims it is…
Slash presented with the first post-flood Gibson
Slash was presented with a very special “first guitar” from Gibson USA. The story of their recovery and resurgence from the May 2010 floods in Nashville was presented with strong testament in West Hollywood, California at the Key Club on Monday, August 20, 2010, where Slash was presented with the first guitar to roll off the production line since the devastating floods hit Music City. The guitar, a Gibson Les Paul Studio, came off the production line in July, 90…
First post-flood Gibson rolls off assembly line
After the floods shut down Gobsin’s Nashville plant in May, operations are just beginning to return to normal. The first post-flood electric guitar rolled off the assembly line at Gibson Guitar’s South Nashville plant on July 30. The instrument was destined as a birthday present for Slash, a former Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver guitarist who has endorsed several Gibson guitar models bearing his name. The company sustained extensive flood damage at the plant in Nashville and reopened in…
Speedway Les Paul to be auctioned for Nashville flood relief
Fans of Nashville Superspeedway will have the opportunity to get their hands on another special, commemorative Sam Bass-designed Gibson Les Paul trophy guitar following the Nationwide Series race on Saturday, by placing their bid in a NASCAR Foundation online auction following the race. The guitar, a Nashville Superspeedway-themed custom Gibson Les Paul designed by NASCAR artist Sam Bass, will be autographed by Bass, Grammy-nominated Warner Bros. recording artist John Rich, and the winning driver of the Federated Auto Parts 300….
Guitar fish finds temporary home in Nashville
The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga will serve as a temporary home for Gibson, a guitar fish that was located inside the Nashville Aquarium. The restaurant was damaged as a result of the flooding brought by record-breaking rains in Nashville and surrounding areas in Tennessee in early May. The Nashville Aquarium Restaurant was home to more than 100 species of colorful, tropical fish from the Caribbean Sea, Hawaii, South Pacific and the Indian Ocean that resided in the 200,000-gallon centerpiece tank….
Gibson Foundation launch events to benefit flood relief
Gibson Guitar and its philanthropic division, the Gibson Foundation, have announced a series of programs to help aid the victims of the recent Nashville floods that devastated the city and surrounding areas. Thousands of people have been left homeless and without the basic necessities of everyday life. The Gibson Foundation, based in Nashville, will spearhead an initiative working with landmark venues and businesses throughout the city including the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau Visitors Center, Gibson Café, and Diana’s Sweet…
Musicians lose millions of dollars of gear in Nashville flood
Brad Paisley’s H2O Tour is all wet. Really, really wet. Paisley is one of hundreds of Nashville’s top stars, working musicians and tour support company owners who lost what will likely be millions of dollars in gear due the historic floods in Music City. Paisley was poised to start rehearsals for the water-themed tour when record rains inundated the area. His staging and props are under water, most of his guitars, amps and equipment are destroyed — though his favorite…
Floods close Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry, considered the spiritual home of American country music, is underwater. The legendary Nashville venue has been closed due to serious flooding, with water levels reaching at least three feet high (one metre) – and possibly covering the stage. Record-breaking rains have led to flooding across Tennessee, and the rising Cumberland river has caused the closure of numerous Nashville buildings. However, no institution is as esteemed as the Opry, a weekly country revue, located at its current…