WINTER PARK, FL, September 4, 2009 – On September 1, 2009, Full Sail University (
www.fullsail.edu), Guitar Center and Gibson Guitar Corporation were proud to host, “A Tribute to Les Paul”- a special event held on the campus of Full Sail University to celebrate the life and legacy of this world-renowned artist and musician. Attendees of the event included Full Sail students, staff and special guests, and featured a performance by rock guitarist Pat Travers, as well as the raffle of a 2009 wine red Les Paul Studio guitar with total proceeds of over $3000 donated to the MusiCares Foundation.
Included in the program were speeches and personal reflections about Les Paul by special guests including: Hard Rock Historian, Jeff Nowlin, Full Sail
Recording Arts Course Director, Mike Reeves, Winter Park Guitar Center Manager, Mickey Greer, and Managing Director for Gibson’s Global Strategic Alliances, Michael Wagner. Also, Full Sail University students took the opportunity to share their experiences with Paul and discussed the impact he has had on their education and their career path in entertainment media today.
Involved in the evolution of rock n’ roll music, Paul not only had a career that spanned over 80 years, but is known world-wide as an innovator in the development of the solid-body electric guitar, which is immortalized by Gibson’s iconic Les Paul model. Along with his triumph of the guitar, Paul is also credited with mastering sound and the art of recording by creating overdubbing, tape delay, phasing effects and multitrack recording.
Full Sail University President, Garry Jones, opened the evening’s events by stating: “Some of us knew him, and some of us were acquainted with him, but I think all of us are here because we greatly respect a man by the name of Les Paul.” Jones went on to share,
“He did so much for so many, not just with his great guitar work, musicianship, songwriting, and recording, but also with his great technological innovations that did so much for our industry. He bridged the gap between musicians and studios, and tonight is a great evening to take a moment to pay tribute to a legend.”
In addition to guest speakers, local musician J.J. Cooper displayed his 1956 Goldtop Les Paul guitar, estimated to be worth $75,000. The audience had the opportunity to hear this rare instrument played live, by Travers, who joined the house band, Roadblock on stage to perform for the crowd.
The evening concluded with the raffle of the 2009 Les Paul Studio guitar with all proceeds being donated to the MusiCares Foundation, which focuses on supporting musicians during times of personal, medical and financial crisis. Following the raffle, guests were invited to stay for the documentary film, Les Paul Chasing Sound!
About Full Sail University:Since 1979, Full Sail University, located outside of Orlando, FL, has been an innovative educational leader for those pursuing careers in the entertainment industry. With over 32,000 alumni, graduate credits include work on OSCAR®, Emmy® and GRAMMY®-winning projects, best-selling video games, and the #1 grossing U.S. concert tours. Full Sail's 190-acre campus and online education platform proudly welcomes over 7,000 students from 50 states and 65 countries.
Full Sail currently offers a total of 25 degree programs including: Associate of Science Degrees in Graphic Design; Bachelor of Science Degrees offered in Computer Animation, Digital Arts & Design, Entertainment Business, Film, Game Art, Game Design, Game Development, Graphic Design, Internet Marketing, Music Business, Recording Arts, Show Production, and Web Design & Development; and Master of Science Degrees in Education Media Design & Technology, Game Design, Entertainment Business, and Internet Marketing; and a Master of Fine Art in Media Design.
Full Sail was most recently named the 2008 “School/College of the Year” by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges. The university has also been previously named: The Harvard of Game Schools by Tips & Tricks Magazine; one of the top three New Media Schools by Shift Magazine (alongside the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and New York University); one of the Top Five Game Degree Programs in the world by Electronic Gaming Monthly; one of the Best Music Programs in the country by Rolling Stone Magazine; one of the Best Music Business Departments in the Schools That Rock: The Rolling Stone College Guide; and one of the Best Film Programs in the country by UNleashed Magazine.
For more information about Full Sail, please visit www.fullsail.edu.###
