Meet Paul Reed Smith At Sam Ash

Aug. 11, 2008 - PRLog -- Paul Reed Smith - musician, artist, and the Founder and Managing General Partner of Paul Reed Smith Guitars, was born in Bethesda, Maryland. His father was a Big Band leader turned mathematician, his mother a teacher who always encouraged his interest in music. Smith made his first playable guitar for extra credit while in school at St. Mary’s College. His early love and understanding for music set the groundwork for this guitar-making legend. Over twenty years have passed since Smith’s positive school experience inspired him to create PRS Guitars, now the third largest manufacturer of electric guitars in America. Today, the list of artists who play PRS guitars reads like a who’s-who of renowned contemporary musicians.

Smith was awarded the Small Business Administration’s “2002 Small Business Person of the Year Award” for Maryland. In 2003 he was honored with a resolution on the floor of the Maryland House of Delegates for his contributions to the state, and was a finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award in ‘03 and again this year. His guitars continually receive awards and rave reviews from the trade magazines, yet the man many call a “modern-day Stradivari” still strives daily to perfect his skills, knowledge and instrument quality. Smith also serves as a mentor through motivational lectures to Maryland high school students and is an accomplished guitarist. He has played with such notable artists as Carlos Santana, Mark Tremonti and a host of others and continues to perform and record with the Paul Reed Smith Band.

Sam Ash Music is proud to host three "meet and greet" events with Paul Reed Smith. Paul will be on hand to answer questions and do limited signings. These events are free and open to the public. The schedule is as follows:

THURSDAY • 8/21/08 • 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sam Ash Music Store
Ontario • 4449 Mills Circle  •  (909) 484-3550

MONDAY • 8/25/08 • 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sam Ash Music Store
Burbank • 7780 S. Cicero • (708) 499-3485  

THURSDAY • 8/28/08 • 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Manhattan Guitar Store
New York City • 155 West 48th Street  • (212) 719-2625

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Established in 1924, Sam Ash Music operates 45 stores nationwide, offering the most complete selection of musical instruments and accessories at discount prices, a goal established by our founder and proudly continued by his family today.