VINNIE PAUL, KERRY KING, SCOTT IAN To Perform At LITTLE KIDS ROCK Benefit Concert

Little Kids Rock (LKR),an innovative non-profit music education program that provides free instruments and rock 'n' roll lessons to public schools, celebrated March's "Music in Our Schools" month by announcing today that it will be the sole beneficiary of the Six-String Masterpieces memorial tribute, auction and benefit concert honoring the late PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. The event takes place on May 17 at the Hollywood House of Blues, and will feature an auction of electric guitars that were designed and hand-painted by a "who's who" of rock 'n' roll, including Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie, Tommy Lee, Ace Frehley (KISS),Marilyn Manson, Dave Navarro, Billy Gibbons and Slash as well as world-renowned tattooists and modern artists.

For those who are unable to attend the event but would like to participate, the full catalog will be available online prior to the auction at this location, where bidders can leave absentee bids beginning April 10, as well as bid live as the House of Blues benefit concert is taking place.

Tickets for the auction and concert will be available beginning April 4 for $18 at www.hob.com.

More than 60 Dean ML guitars will be auctioned off at the Six-String Masterpieces event, followed by an all-star benefit concert with all proceeds from both the auction and the concert earmarked to support the Little Kids Rock's mission to put music education back into public schools. Confirmed performers to date include: Dave Navarro, Scott Ian (ANTHRAX),Aaron Lewis (STAIND),Kerry King (SLAYER) and Vinnie Paul (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN). The event will be emceed by Jamey Jasta, host of MTV2's "Headbanger's Ball". Bids can be placed online as well as at the LaLuz DeJesus Gallery (4633 Hollywood Blvd.),which will preview the entire collection prior to the event, from May 4 through May 16.

"I am thrilled that Little Kids Rock can be a part of such dynamic and fitting tribute to the most influential heavy metal guitarist of our time," said David Wish, Executive Director of Little Kids Rock. "As a non-profit organization dedicated to the belief that music is a critical component of any first-rate education, we value the time and creativity the artists put into making this event a reality. The proceeds from this initiative will go a long way in helping public school children across the country tap into and hone their musical talents."

"The music education I received at my public school saved my life," said Joe Satriani, world-renowned guitarist and Six-String Masterpiece participant. "Those were different times. Today, teachers and schools need our help to meet the challenges, and real costs of providing a well-balanced education. Little Kids Rock can really make a difference."

"Dimebag" Darrell Abbott was best known as the lead guitarist for PANTERA. The multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated band dominated the heavy metal world of the '90s. The musician was shot and killed on December 8, 2004, while performing onstage with his new project, DAMAGEPLAN. He was 38 years old. The "Six-String Masterpieces: The Darrell Abbott Art Tribute" was curated by Curse Mackey, Creative Director of the Action Arts Agency, to honor his memory. The guitars were donated by Dean Guitars, one of the top five guitar manufacturers in the world.

Beginning in 2005, Mackey sent "blank" Dean ML guitars to a select group of musicians and modern artists to create their own homage to Darrell Abbott, stating, "The Dean ML is the only guitar that could be the canvas. Dime played that guitar from the time he was 16 years old and he made it famous."

Artists that participated in the tribute include Billy Gibbons (ZZ TOP),James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett (METALLICA),Ace Frehley (KISS),Dave Grohl (FOO FIGHTERS, NIRVANA),Marilyn Manson, Jerry Cantrell (ALICE IN CHAINS),Kelly Clarkson, Kerry King (SLAYER),and Rob Zombie. Last year, the guitar exhibit was displayed at festivals and concert tours such as SxSW, Ozzfest and Family Values and was featured on MTV.

"I hope this inspires kids to pick up a guitar or a paint brush, bash on some drums, write some lyrics — whatever it takes to get the frustrations and pain that we all feel sometimes out of their system and direct it in a creative or nonviolent way. At the same time, we need to help make these creative outlets more available to the next generation of rockers and those who can most benefit from them," said Curse Mackey, curator. "Having exposure to art in elementary school inspired me as a kid. It led me to a career path as an artist and to own a business that revolves around my artistic vision."

The Live Auction will be directed by Robert Berman of Santa Monica Auctions. Online Bidding Services are provided by www.LiveAuctioneers.com. Both of these organizations have donated their vital services to this project.

Little Kids Rock teaches kids how to play pop, rock, funk, blues, rap and hip-hop music. LKR students not only perform, but they also compose and record their own music. They have released four full-length CDs as well as music videos featuring student-written originals. To date, the Little Kids Rock program has served more than 10,000 students in California, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey and Tennessee. Supporters of the program include Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, B.B. King, Les Paul and Brad Delson of LINKIN PARK.

Six-String Masterpieces Participating Artist List (Exhibit curated by Curse Mackey)

Musicians:

Rob Zombie
Dave Navarro
James Hetfield
Zakk Wylde
Dave Grohl
Tommy Lee
Moby
Ozzy Osbourne
Ace Frehley
Slash
Billy Gibbons
Al Jourgenson
Marilyn Manson
Les Claypool
Will Adler
Chino Moreno
Kerry King
Michael Anthony
Kirk Hammett
Tom Morello
Greg Tribbett
Nancy Wilson
Bily Corgan
Hank Williams III
Paul Raven
Leslie West
Charlie Benante
Mark Mothersbaugh
Jonathan Davis/Munky
Chester Bennington
Joe Hahn
Kelly Clarkson
Shannon Larkin
Jerry Cantrell
Sum 41
Ted Nugent
Sammy Hagar
Bob Zilla
Otep
Steve Stevens
Joe Satriani
Scott Ian
Jim Root
Cristina Scabbia
Texas Musicians Museum
Jamie Jasta
Aaron Lewis

Tattoo Artists:

Paul Booth
Bob Tyrrell
Gil Montie
Jack Rudy
Joe Capobianco
Aaron Cain
Jason D'Aquino
Guy Aitchison
Filip Leu

Modern Artists:

Alex Grey
Mark Ryden
Ron English
David Stoupakis
Dean Karr
Shawn Barber
Dalek
Sas Christian
Shawn Barber
Derek Hess
Daniel Martin Diaz
Von Franco
Ryan McGinness
Rob Jew