Auction to Air Live Exclusively on VOOM HD Network's Treasure HD on February 23 at 8pm ET; Star-Studded Red Carpet Footage to Air Immediately Following Live Interactive Event
Preview Show Featuring In-Depth Interviews with Country-Music Legend Charlie Daniels and others to premiere on February 5
Nashville, TN, February 1st, 2006 – Get ready to kick up those heels when Gibson Guitar and Julien's Auctions, the premiere Los Angeles auction house specializing in high-end celebrity memorabilia, presents The Gibson GuitarTown Auction live from BMI in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday, February 23 at 8pm ET. This celebrity-driven memorabilia auction can be seen exclusively in high-definition on TREASURE HD, the first and only 24/7 high-definition channel for and about people with a passion for collecting, allowing viewers a rare opportunity to experience what is sure to be one of this year's most memorable country music events. TREASURE HD, one of the VOOM HD Networks, is available nationally on DISH Network, channel 9473.
Hitting the auction block are a unique collection of over 60 designer Gibson guitars all embellished with designs created by an array of visual artists, many of whom partnered with top country music stars such as Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Wynonna Judd and more.
Many of the 10-foot guitars have been on display throughout Nashville in front of city's landmarks and businesses since June 2005 where they can be seen until the end of January. Interested bidders can tune-in to TREASURE HD and log onto www.juliensauctions.com to register, place advance online bids or bid during the live show. Bidding can also be done over the phone during the event. Proceeds from the auction and ticket sales benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The DISTRICT, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the United Way of Nashville.
In addition, on February 5 at 10am ET, TREASURE HD will premiere the Auction Preview Show, revealing the stories behind the sale, featuring country-music legend Charlie Daniels, guitarist Steve Cropper (of Booker T. and the MGS and Blues Brothers fame) and Christian music star Michael W. Smith. The Auction Preview Show will repeat throughout the month, in anticipation of the live event. On February 23, immediately following the live event, TREASURE HD will also capture the excitement with star-studded footage from the red carpet.
TREASURE HD is the first channel dedicated to the over 70 million Americans with a passion for collecting. It is one of the VOOM HD Networks the l-15 channels of 24 breathtaking 24/7, commercial-free high definition programming, with content including movies, sports, the arts, travel, fashion, cartoons and news. VOOM is available nationally on the DISH Network.
"The result of Nashville's GuitarTown is a project which has given spirit to our city, attracted tourists from around the world and provided an extraordinary display of talent. Gibson Guitar is proud to sponsor GuitarTown which has united the Nashville art, music and business communities,"comments Henry Juszkiewicz Chairman/CEO, Gibson Guitar.
Dolly Parton: "My guitar has always been my best friend, my best traveling companion and my best therapist. It would be fair to say that my guitar is the true love of my life. I have never reached for it and felt it didn't want me. I'm proud to be a citizen of GuitarTown. And I'm proud of all the wonderful work we're doing in our special town for United Way and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation."
"The Gibson GuitarTown Auction will combine the glitter of country music stars, cool and unusual memorabilia and all of the suspense and excitement of a live auction. We think our viewers will enjoy this front row seat to a very special event," adds TREASURE HD Executive Producer George Lansbury.
Randy Travis: "No city in the world is as closely associated with guitars than Nashville. Having built my career in Nashville and having played Gibson guitars my whole life, it is an honor for me to be a part of the GuitarTown project."
John Michael Montgomery: "Nashville's GuitarTown project illustrates the enormous creative and artistic talents in Nashville. Each guitar is unique yet captures the vision of the project in such a perfect way."
About VOOM HD Networks
The VOOM HD Networks are the largest and most diverse suite of high definition channels available anywhere. Produced exclusively in true high definition and 5.1 Dolby digital surround sound for distribution in the U.S. through satellite and cable operators, the 15 VOOM HD Networks carry programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art. The VOOM HD Networks are commercial-free and available nationally on Echostar's DISH Network. Developed by Rainbow Media to meet the growing demand for quality high definition programming, the VOOM HD Networks build on Rainbow Media's history of original programming innovation.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
A leader in the entertainment industry, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow creates and manages some of the country's most compelling and dynamic programming with linear networks including national networks – AMC, fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE: Women's Entertainment; its regional programming service – Rainbow Sports Networks; on-demand networks including Mag Rack and sportskool; and the largest suite of high definition channels available anywhere – the VOOM HD Networks. Rainbow's other businesses include its film distribution, production and exhibition division – IFC Entertainment; in addition to its advertising sales division – Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation – and its full service network programming origination and distribution company – Rainbow Network Communications.