[UPDATE 12/8/20]: Ani DiFranco, Blue Öyster Cult, Conor Oberst, Joan Baez, Stephen Stills, and Zakk Wylde have all donated instruments to the previously-announced National Independent Talent Organization (NITO)‘s Guitar and Stringed Instruments Auction. In light of these recent additions, NITO has also extended the auction period to December 14th as the non-profit organization works toward creating a united voice in the live music industry.
[Originally published 12/3/20]: National Independent Talent Organization (NITO), the nonprofit organization comprised of over 1,000 independent talent agencies, management firms, associate artists, and living touring entities fighting for pandemic relief in Congress, is launching its first fundraising initiative: a Guitar and Stringed Instruments Auction featuring instruments donated by a slew of high-profile artists.
In partnership with auction site Charitybuzz, NITO has curated an impressive selection of guitars and stringed instruments from artists like George Benson, Leon Bridges, David Bromberg, Fall Out Boy, Plain White T’s, Jack Johnson, Mark Knopfler, Sonny Landreth, Tommy Lee, Nick Lowe, Steve Martin, J Mascis, John Mellencamp, Pat Metheney, Thurston Moore, Graham Nash, John Petrucci, Bonnie Raitt, Nathaniel Rateliff, Chris Smither, Joe Satriani, Lars Ulrich, Steve Vai, Kurt Vile, The War On Drugs, Weezer, and many more. Instruments from all the aforementioned donors will be available during the 10-day auction period.
Notes Joe Satriani in a press release, “These good people are an essential part of our local and international community. Without them the live music scene will collapse. The current pandemic is mercilessly putting our collective health and livelihoods in great jeopardy. NITO can make our voices heard in Congress and Washington. Please join me in lending your support.”
Adds Chris Smither, “Music is the lifeblood for many: music fans in front of the stage, those who work backstage, and the performers on the stage. NITO is fighting the fight for musicians and all those who make live music happen so everyone the world over may continue to enjoy the thrill and joy of hearing music in person.”
For more information and a full list of NITO Guitar and Stringed Instrument Auction items, head here.
As NITO explains along with the auction announcement, “The entire live music industry urgently needs help. If Congress does not act now to pass COVID-19 relief, then that industry as we know it may not survive. The work Congress has done to respond to COVID-19 to date is appreciated, but unpassed legislation provides no relief. Please help NITO as we work to #SaveLiveMusic and the live music ecosystem by supporting the Save Our Stages Act, the RESTART Act, the HITS Act, the extension of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and by encouraging Congressional leadership to include and pass a COVID-19 relief package before it’s too late.” You can take action to help the cause at the NITO website here and check out NITO’s resources for spreading the word here.