I like this new guitar giveaway from Squier!

Ten winners will each get to choose their favorite Squier signature guitar or bass, and it will be theirs! Choose from instruments bearing names including Mike Dirnt, John 5, Matt Freeman, James Johnson, Avril Lavigne, J Mascis, Simon Neil, Jim Root, Joe Trohman, Mikey Way, Pete Wentz and Deryck Whibley.

Entry Deadline: June 18, 2012
Eligibility: Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Peru, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, United States (excluding Rhode Island, United States territories, possessions, or military bases), Venezuela, and Vietnam, 18+

For everyone who has shown their support for our Pick Education program, thank you so much! I’m pleased to announce its official launch.

As a refresher, Pick Education program lets all musicians give back, just a little bit. It’s no secret music education funding has been cut drastically in schools across the country, and all of us are going to have to pull together to give today’s kids the opportunity to play music. At GearPipe, we take this challenge seriously. That’s why, for each GearPipe guitar pick sold, we will donate one pick to a music education program for kids in need of musical tools. It’s a small thing, but together we can keep music alive for the next generation.

I’m very excited to announce our first partner, Musical Directions, which is run by GearPipe reader Jeffrey Vastine.

Located in East Saint Louis, Musical Directions is part of the Love’s Peaceful Rain organization. Started shortly after 9/11, this program’s goal is to help the youth in East Saint Louis. As Jeffrey put it, many seem to be lost and without direction in life, a situation that was amplified by the fear and uncertainty of that period.

Musical Directions uses the natural gifts and talents of each individual to do everything from the design and creation of instruments, creating and recording music, to promotion and airplay. The organization works with both urban and suburban youth of all races, creeds, and religions. To participate in Musical Directions, kids are required to remain in school and if they have a GED or diploma, they must seek some form of secondary education. They provide tutoring services and use those who exhibit a higher academic propensity to tutor those who are struggling, which demonstrates how humanity will benefit from people working together in cooperation.

Currently working out of houses and using the shops of friends, the outreach is in the process of trying to find a building, which would include a woodworking shop, metalworking shop, electronics lab, computer lab, video lab, and a studio.

Father John Misty’s Fear Fun release week was filled with tears of joy and laughter, thrills, and chills. An amazing David Letterman performance was followed by an equally amazing KCRW in-studio session.

We here at Sub Pop believe you should take a moment to check out the session if you didn’t tune in live last week. It’s that good, folks! The songs sound incredible, and the in-between song banter and interview with Jason Bentley are top quality.

Listen and enjoy!