Media Contact: Kathleen Bundy 276-619-3343 communication@bartertheatre.com June 23, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BARTER THEATRE AUCTIONS EXCLUSIVE GUITAR ON CHARITYBUZZ

ABINGDON, Va.—Country music fans have a one-of-a-kind opportunity now until July 12 to bid on a exclusive guitar signed by artists Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan and many more.

The Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives presented a signed guitar to Barter Theatre to help raise money for Barter’s Annual Fund for Artistic Excellence. The guitar, which holds the signatures of 16 different country music artists and groups, is being auctioned on Charitybuzz.com.

The guitar features the signatures of: Alabama, Brett Eldredge, Clint Black, Cole Swindell, Darius Rucker, David Lee Murphy, Deana Carter, Eli Young Band, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, Joe Nichols, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Patty Loveless and Ronnie Milsap.

Music memorabilia frequently only includes the signatures of one artist, making this guitar a rarity. Gill Braswell, co-owner of Capo’s Music Store in Abingdon, said, “It’s special to find a piece that has been signed by so many artists. Most of the time these pieces just include one signature or a couple of signatures at most. For someone who is a real country fan, this is a truly unique piece.”

Erick Long, an alumnus of Emory & Henry College and a member of the alumni board, works for the Academy of Country Music and facilitated the presentation of the guitar to Barter Theatre. Long said, “The Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives are proud to support Barter Theatre and all of its endeavors. We are thrilled to donate a guitar from the 2015 ACM Party for a Cause, which has been autographed by a variety of musicians who performed at this memorable event.”

Barter Theatre thanks the Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives for their donation. Allison Mays, director of corporate and government relations for Barter Theatre, said, “This generous donation reflects our shared commitment to artistic excellence and will make a tangible difference in Barter’s ability to sustain the quality so vital to its impact.”

ACM Lifting Lives is the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music.

To learn more or bid on the guitar, visit charitybuzz.com. Bidding begins at 9:20 AM EDT on June 23 and closes July 12 at 3:00 PM EDT.

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PHOTO CAPTION: The guitar signed by 16 different country music artists and groups.