Αθστιν, ΤΧ (Top40 Charts/ Milton Verret Family) Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) added "Rockabilly," a guitar autographed by the members of the
Texas rock band ZZ Top, to its GuitarTown exhibit. Signed by Frank Beard, Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons, "Rockabilly" is now part of the airport's iconic display of 10-foot tall fiberglass musical instruments.
"The 'Rockabilly' signed by
ZZ Top is such a cool combination of music and art, and a reflection of the City's reputation as the 'Live
Music Capital of the Word,' so I'm happy to share it with the public"
The guitar was created by local artists Cindy Raschke and
Craig Barnes as part of the 2007 Austin GuitarTown auction sponsored by the Gibson Foundation. Proceeds from the auction, which reached nearly $600,000, benefitted local charities including American Youthworks and the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians.
Austin philanthropist and businessman,
Milton Verret, was the winning bidder of several of the oversized instruments, including the "Rockabilly" guitar. Following the auction, Verret donated eight of the guitars to the City of Austin. The City placed them on public display on the Lower Level of ABIA, creating what is now the illustrious GuitarTown exhibit.
"Rockabilly," on loan from Verret to ABIA, joins the other 10-foot tall guitars Verret donated in 2007. A nod to the city's thriving music scene, the display has become a well-known attraction at the airport.
"The 'Rockabilly' signed by
ZZ Top is such a cool combination of music and art, and a reflection of the City's reputation as the 'Live
Music Capital of the Word,' so I'm happy to share it with the public," said
Milton Verret about parting with the guitar. "It also gives me great pleasure to know the giant guitars that helped raise so much money for deserving charities nearly six years ago continue to be such a welcome sight to all of the visitors who pass through Austin's airport."
A total of 9,430,314 passengers traveled through ABIA last year, enjoying the GuitarTown exhibit made possible by Verret's gifts.
