A virtual private guitar lesson with Bobby Weir and a virtual piano lesson with Amy Lee of Evanescence are among the prizes in a series of online sweepstakes supporting HeadCount, the nonpartisan voter registration organization that works with musicians to promote participation in democracy.
Additional prizes include roundtrip travel accommodations and meet and greet with Incubus, show tickets plus a signed merch package from Billy Strings, and a virtual hang with Jason Mraz (for a winner and 9 friends).
Each experience is staged through the digital fundraising platform Fandiem. Prizes also include a limited edition D’Angelico HeadCount SS guitar signed by the associated artist.
Fans can donate to prize drawings here with proceeds supporting HeadCount’s upcoming “Save The Vote!” campaign to protect voting rights. The series will run for 90 days.
This marks the first time Weir or Lee have ever offered a lesson to fans. Weir, of Grateful Dead and now Dead & Company, is a founding member of HeadCount’s board of directors. Lee is a classically trained pianist whose band Evanescence will also welcome a winner and guest to a soundcheck on their upcoming Fall tour. Both lessons and the hang with Mraz will take place virtually on Lively, an online experience platform.
“Hosting these incredible musicians on our platform, to support such an important initiative, brings together two of my great passions,” said Marc Brownstein, co-founder of both HeadCount and Lively and also the bass player for The Disco Biscuits.
Tying all the individual contests together are prizes of signed D'Angelico guitars, made especially for HeadCount. Each Premier SS features a custom two-tone American Flag top design, as well as custom inlays reminding fans to "VOTE” – view images here. D’Angelico and HeadCount have been aligned since the 2015 Fare Thee Well Grateful Dead reunion concerts when Weir played a D’Angelico guitar on stage that was auctioned by HeadCount to support various Grateful Dead-affiliated charities. Later, D’Angelico produced a series of signature guitars for Weir.
"Our partnership with HeadCount is one of our most cherished,” said Ryan Kershaw, D’Angelico Executive Vice President, Product. “Their commitment to their mission is unrivaled, and it's a true honor to aid in it. We're proud to offer the Limited Edition HeadCount SS as both a custom, unique art piece that helps spread their democratic message and a highly playable, versatile instrument for the gigging musician or passionate collector.”
