2011 All Star Guitar Night

This year, Luna was a very proud sponsor of Muriel Anderson’s All Star Guitar Night, produced and fueled by our friends at Truefire. Our own Vicki Genfan was featured along with Andreas Oberg, Billy Sheehan, Carl Verheyen, David Wilcox, Don Alder, Fareed Haque, Lee Ritenour, Makanna, Martin Taylor, Muriel Anderson, Peter Bursch, Ravi, Rick Vito and Steve Trovato.

This years performance was held in Anaheim, CA after the NAMM show and is now available for viewing in it’s entirety on Truefire TV. Hook your computer up to a big screen TV, pour yourself a beer or a glass of wine, kick back and prepare to be amazed! SERIOUSLY amazed! WATCH THE MAGIC HERE!!!!!!!

All Star Guitar Night is a unique, guitar-centric event bringing together talented  musicians for a night of both acoustic and electric music. The finest pickers on the planet assemble on stage to amaze standing-room-only audiences. The event typically features an acoustic and an electric set, featuring artists with household names as well as up-and-coming musicians.
While the evening celebrates the guitar and entertains audiences, it also raises money and awareness for a very important cause – music education for children. The artists donate their time and talent and the sponsors generously fund this event so that disadvantaged children can have access to instruments and music instruction in their schools.  Muriel Anderson founded the Music for Life Alliance, which is the beneficiary of the event and works with non-profits disseminating instruments, funds & research nationwide. Every event is unique and filled with memorable and unforgettable performances.

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Preventing Teen Suicide

Alan.....you are missed!

At Luna, we consider our players family and are saddened that we have lost one of our own. Alan Carter Villaruz-Curley, a giving soul and talented musician, lost his battle with depression in October of 2010 by taking his own life.

His father, Jeff Curley, has formed “Pick With Austin”, a nonprofit charity corporation that operates in Alan’s memory

One of the leading causes of death amongst teenagers is suicide. The Centers for Disease control report that it is the third leading cause of death, behind accidents and homicide, of people aged 15 to 24. Even more disturbing is the fact that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for children between the ages of 10 and 14.

The purpose and mission of “Pick With Austin” is to help educate and  elevate community awareness about a growing epidemic of youth depression and suicide.  They also provide donated guitars to kids and teens in hospitals, in youth groups and ministries, and/or to those who have been  identified in some way of being potentially “at risk” for depression.”

There is, unfortunately, a real stigma surrounding mental health issues and the only way to get past it is to educate ourselves, to have open and frank conversations and to reach out to those who are suffering. You can learn about teen depression on Pick With Austin’s mission page. If you are inspired by their calling to help prevent the tragedy of teen suicide you can donate here.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please make note of this number: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Calls are routed to the nearest crisis center in the caller’s area.

And remember: “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” — T.H. Thompson and John Watson

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