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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Guitar Center Music Foundation raises funds and honors industry legends at 4th Annual Gala
Honorees Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and John McBride celebrated with star-studded evening in Beverly Hills
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., September 29, 2025 – The Guitar Center Music Foundation (GCMF), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting music education and therapy programs through instrument donations and grants, hosted its 4th Annual Gala on September 11 at The Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills.
The evening honored legendary sound mixer John McBride with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work in live sound and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of engineers. GRAMMY® award-winning duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis were recognized with the Vanguard Award for their enduring support of music education and advocacy for access to the arts.
“The next Paul McCartney is out there right now, and it’s our responsibility to make sure they have access to the instruments, programs, and encouragement to find their sound,” said Gabe Dalporto, CEO, Guitar Center. “That’s what this Foundation is all about. We make sure music education and support programs are available to those who need them most.”
The ballroom was filled with music’s most celebrated names, including Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Estelle, Johnny Gill, Tina Campbell, Eric Bellinger, Durand Bernarr, and RED HANDS. In addition to celebrating the honorees, the Foundation also recognized members of the Los Angeles Fire Department for their bravery during this year’s wildfires, underscoring the Gala’s broader theme of community and resilience. Highlights included:
- Martina McBride introducing husband John McBride, followed by a surprise appearance from Garth Brooks, who delivered a moving tribute.
- Nicole Avant presenting Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis with the Vanguard Award.
- A powerhouse closing set by Morris Day and The Time, with Jimmy Jam on keytar and Terry Lewis on bass, under the direction of Emmy and GRAMMY® winner Adam Blackstone.
Beyond the music and tributes, the gala raised critical funds for GCMF’s mission. Proceeds will support its Disaster Relief Program, providing instruments and recovery resources to musicians impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires, as well as its ongoing Grant Program, which has already assisted more than 600 musicians and over 10 schools nationwide this year.
“I am delighted by the overwhelming success of this year’s Annual Gala,” comments Guitar Center Foundation chairman David Helfant. “We raised a very large amount of money to further the mission and programs of the Foundation. Special thanks go out to our honorees Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and John McBride, our sponsors, and everyone who attended the Gala. We look forward to utilizing the funds raised to continue to provide musical instruments and grants to musicians, schools, educators, and hospitals for music education and music therapy. Music saves lives and the funds raised from the Event will help so many people across the country.”
The event was produced by the Guitar Center Music Foundation board of directors with Angelia Shepperd from ABS Collective, with technical production by Nick Urbom of Big Push Media Group. Sponsors for the evening included: Audio Visual Design Group (AVDG), Blackbird Studio and Academy, Clair Global, Custom House at Guitar Center, Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW), Ernie Boch, Jr., and Roland.
Contact info@guitarcenterfoundation.org to get involved. To learn more, visit http://www.GuitarCenterFoundation.org, or follow GCMF on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram for more news or to discover ways to support The Guitar Center Music Foundation.
Photo file: GCMF_Gala2025_Brooks_Trawick_McBride_McBride.JPG
Photo caption: Shown L-R: Garth Brooks, GCMF Gala Chair Herb Trawick, John McBride, and Martina McBride, at the 4th Guitar Center Music Foundation Annual Gala on September 11, 2025, at The Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills. Photo Credit: Arnold Turner.ABOUT THE GUITAR CENTER MUSIC FOUNDATION:
For some, music may be just a hobby. But for others, music serves as a crucial lifeline – a path to healing, an opportunity to nurture untapped talent, an escape from the grim realities of everyday life, a break from generational trauma, or the start of a social revolution. The Guitar Center Music Foundation (GCMF) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to the healing, transformative power of music. Thousands of individuals nationwide benefit yearly from GCMF’s grants and other efforts aiding veterans, hospital patients, the unhoused, and those affected by natural disasters, as well as youth in both schools and after-school programs. By providing these programs with all types of instruments and advocating for the benefits of music education and music therapy, GCMF furthers its mission of giving people the chance to create and express themselves through music. For more information about The Guitar Center Music Foundation, please visit http://guitarcenterfoundation.org/.
ABOUT GUITAR CENTER:
Guitar Center is the leading retailer of musical instruments, lessons, repairs and rentals in the U.S. With more than 300 stores across the U.S. and one of the top direct sales websites in the industry, Guitar Center has helped people make music for more than 60 years. Guitar Center also provides customers with various musician-based services, including Guitar Center Lessons, where musicians of all ages and skill levels can learn to play a variety of instruments in many music genres, GC Repairs, an on-site maintenance and repairs service, and GC Rentals, a program offering easy rentals of instruments and other sound reinforcement gear. Additionally, Guitar Center’s sister brands include Music & Arts, which operates more than 250 stores specializing in band & orchestral instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors, parents and students, and Musician’s Friend, a leading direct marketer of musical instruments in the United States. For more information about Guitar Center, please visit guitarcenter.com.
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For Guitar Center Music Foundation, contact:
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Robert Clyne
615-300-4666
robert@clynemedia.comGuitar Center
media@guitarcenter.com
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