Nashville, Meet Your Next 30 Guitar Players

Thirty guitars. Thirty new beginnings. And one pretty incredible Saturday in Nashville.

At Hard Rock Cafe Nashville, 30 young people walked in ready to experience something new and walked out carrying a guitar of their own.

But we wanted the day to be about more than handing over an instrument. Each student had the chance to sit down with someone who could help them get started learning the basics, asking questions, playing a few first chords, and beginning to understand what this new guitar might make possible. They left with a goody bag, some new skills, plenty of encouragement, and everything they needed to keep going.

And these 30 guitars are only part of the story.

Another 70 guitars will make their way to local organizations we work alongside throughout the year, connecting more kids with the mentors, teachers, and programs that can help turn an instrument into a lasting relationship with music.

That is what this weekend was really about: opening a door.

And Nashville reminded us that when enough generous people decide to hold that door open together, a whole lot of kids get the chance to walk through it.