Today, October 9, 2020 would have been John Lennon’s 80th birthday. His contributions to music, culture, activism, social justice, art, and fashion resonate to this day. In celebration, the Lennon Bus and Contest is having a virtual Imagine Party featuring music and interviews with celebrated and artists including Verdine White, RZA, George Clinton, Elle King, Ricki Lake, DJ Tommie Sunshine, rock photographer Bob Gruen, and more via the Lennon Bus Instagram Live, today (HERE).
For the event, John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and the John Lennon Songwriting Contest (JLSC) have partnered with Gibson Gives--the iconic American instrument brand’s charitable arm--to support musicianship, music education and songwriting for people of all ages. Among the initiatives, 24 Lennon contest winners will receive an Epiphone LTD Edition Les Paul Quilt Top Pro and an Epiphone Zenith Masterbilt Acoustic Round Hole. Songwriters, artists, and bands are encouraged to enter the 24th annual JLSC with over $300,000k in cash awards and giveaways. All entrants will also qualify for weekly contests, offering additional gear giveaways, including a Gibson guitar.
Brian Rothschild, co-founder and executive director of both the Lennon Bus and the JLSC, said, “While venues, live music and events are on hold, we’re focused on the songwriting contests and providing songwriters with even more gear each week while they are stuck at home. Contest entries help support Lennon Bus programs and Gibson Gives shares the same commitment to the next generation of players.”
“Gibson Gives is all about inspiring, creating, and supporting music one guitar at a time,” says James ‘JC’ Curleigh, President and CEO of Gibson. “This is our opportunity to ‘imagine’ what could be possible for future musicians by partnering with the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, especially during this challenging era.”
Tune-in to watch the Lennon Bus Virtual Imagine Party on IG Live today featuring Verdine White, RZA, George Clinton, Elle King, Ricki Lake, DJ Tommie Sunshine and more: (HERE)
