HeadCount to Auction Commemorative D'Angelico Guitar Signed by The Dead

Article Contributed by HeadCount | Published on Thursday, June 18, 2015

HeadCount, a non-partisan, non-profit organization with a mission to promote participation in democracy through the power of musicians and their music, and D’Angelico Guitars, an iconic New York City guitar brand, will be auctioning off a one-of-a-kind, commemorative D’Angelico guitar signed by original Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir at the upcoming ‘Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead’ concerts in Santa Clara and Chicago.  All proceeds from the silent auction will benefit seventeen non-profit organizations selected by the Grateful Dead.    

The commemorative guitar, which will also be signed by Fare Thee Well performers Trey Anastasio, Bruce Hornsby, and Jeff Chimenti, features custom ‘Fare Thee Well’ graphics and is one of just a few items the Grateful Dead will be signing at the band’s final shows.  Attendees will have the opportunity to view and bid on the guitar and the other signed items in a silent auction at “Participation Row,” a dedicated area at each concert for fans to interact with the band-selected charities. 

“The signed guitar will be a unique piece of music history,” said Andy Bernstein, executive director of HeadCount.  “It’s a great way to raise funds for charities that have been an integral part of the Grateful Dead community for decades.”

“We are thrilled to be a part of this celebration in honor of the Grateful Dead,” said Brenden Cohen, CEO of D’Angelico Guitars.  “Our custom Fare Thee Well guitar will be benefitting a number of organizations that are important to Mickey, Bill, Phil, and Bob, and that’s something very special.”

 The Participation Row charity auction will be located near Section 101 at Levi’s Stadium for the Santa Clara concerts taking place June 27th-June 28th, and near Section 117 at Soldier Field for the Chicago concerts taking place July 3rd-July 5th.  More information can be found at www.headcount.org/ParticipationRow