Guitars Not Guns, Inc. - California

Friday, March 1, 2019

2019 NAMM MUSIC TRADE SHOW

NAMM 2019

Our Guitars not Guns National group, were excited to attend NAMM 2019, (National Association of Music Merchants) and visit all of our vendors and meet new potential vendors that work with our program Nationally, and locally. If you are not familiar with NAMM, is a music trade show in Anaheim, CA yearly.

This year, in attendance was Barbara Gorin, (Contra Costa County, California), Steve Vagnini, (Monterrey County California), Richard Salazar, (Oregon), Bruce Johnson, (Contra Costa County, California) and Tim Patchin, (Monterrey County, California).

We visited with D'Addario, Yamaha, The Music Link and others. Below are some photos, courtesy of our official Guitars not Guns NAMM Photographer, Michael J. Padilla.

NAMM 2019

Above photo - Harrison Perri of the Music Link with Tim Patchin, Harrison Perri, Barbara Gorin, Steve Vagnani, Bruce Johnson

Above photo: Jay Kirkland, Mono cases

Above photo: Barbara Gorin, Suzanne D'Addario-Brouder (D'Addario Foundation), Richard Salazar

Above photo: Richard Salazar, Steve Vagnini, Barbara Gorin, Suzanne D'Addario-Brouder (D'Addario Foundation)

Above photo:

Tim Patchin, Steve Vagnini, Richard Salazar, Bruce Johnson, Barbara Gorin, Suzanne D'Addario-Brouder (D'Addario Foundation), Jay Kirkland

Above photo: Richard Salazar, Barbara Gorin, Suzanne D'Addario-Brouder (D'Addario Foundation)

Above photo: Yamaha
Bruce Johnson, Tim Patchin, Richard Salazar, Dennis Webster (Yamaha), Barbara Gorin, Steve Vagnini, Jay Kirkland

Above photo: Yamaha

Yamaha:
Bruce Johnson, Tim Patchin, Richard Salazar, Dennis Webster (Yamaha), Barbara Gorin, Steve Vagnini, Jay Kirkland

Above photo:

Steve Vagnini, Jack Gibson (Exodus),

Above photo:

Yamaha Artist Jack Gibson

Jack Gibson (Exodus), Jay Kirkland

Music is Everything!

Monday, January 7, 2019

Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year!

WELCOME 2019!

As we roll into a new year, we are looking forward to starting new 8 week sessions. We are always looking for volunteer guitar instructors - please help us spread the word, so we can have a bigger and better year with more classes than ever!

Here is a great story co-produced by Julia Chan, who was with Richmond Confidential. Volunteer Jay Kirkland, our VP of special projects and instructor, is interview and it captures the passion he has for this program.

Please view the video here: Richmond Confidential Interviews Jay Kirkland

Monday, December 24, 2018

Wishing Everyone a Happy Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Thank you to everyone that helped make our fundraiser a success!

Monday, November 12, 2018

November 24, 2018 Annual Fundraiser - SPECIAL GUEST ALL STAR TRIO, JEFF CAMPITELLI, ANGELINE SARIS and JAMES NASH!!

Saturday, November 10, 2018

November 10, 2018 Wonderful Article in the Contra Costa Times

Guitars Not Guns catalyst for Pittsburg family’s time together

Thursday, November 8, 2018

PRESS RELEASE

SAVE THE DATE!

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How You Can Help

Guitars Not Guns, Inc. in California is entirely a volunteer organization. It has no employees so all donations are used to fulfill Our Mission to provide free guitars and lessons to foster kids, at risk youth and other deserving children ages 8 to 18 years old.

We need volunteer guitar instructors, classroom assistants, grant writers, bookkeepers, fundraisers and program leaders. You do not have to know how to play guitar to be a volunteer.

To volunteer go the "Volunteer" page and follow the instructions. We and the kids can always use your help.

How The Program Works

We "loan" guitars and guitar accessories to our students that they are to use to practice and carefully maintain for eight (8) weeks of one hour per week classes. The students and their guardians sign a lease contract for the equipment and most care for the guitars. The guitar may be the only personal item the student has ever possessed since foster children may move multiple times each year from guardian to guardian or facility to facility.. The object of the contract is to teach the students to take care of possessions. The students are not told this but, upon successful completion of the first level of classes, the guitars and accessories will be given to them to keep at no cost. The final class is a party to celebrate completion of the eight week program. The students play and we bring in accomplished musicians, some that are their age, to motivate them to further study with us and independently. For some, it is the first time they have been exposed to live music.