Guitar Center, the world's largest musical instrument and professional audio retailer, announces the new compilation CD Fresh Cuts Vol. 2. The release, the second in an ongoing series, is part of Guitar Center's GAIN Program, designed to give GC Employees an outlet for pursuing their music industry dreams. As such, the disc features recordings by members of the GC family, hand-selected by none other than legendary alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins from a pool of GC employee submissions. The Pumpkins are also included on the CD themselves, via "SuperChrist" - a song written, but not recorded, for their 2007 Zeitgeist album. 50,000 CDs will be available for free while supplies last at over 200 GC locations starting March 11, 2008.
The Gain Program was launched in March 2007 by Guitar Center to help GC team members achieve their musical aspirations. At the heart of Gain is an extensive private social network where GC employees can post music, pictures, blogs and online discussions, in order to share with and learn from each other. In addition, Gain presents a number of other benefits, deals, offers and opportunities to its participants, including partnerships with a number of vendors, services and institutions (music-related and non-music related alike). The Gain program continues to build relationships with companies, organizations and individuals who can provide exposure, insight, tools and opportunity to the musicians who work for Guitar Center.
Since forming in Chicago in 1988, The Smashing Pumpkins have been a multi-platinum-selling and Grammy-winning juggernaut, at the forefront of much of the alternative and modern rock of the last two decades. The group's involvement is an exciting new addition to the Gain Program and the Fresh Cuts CD series. Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan stated, "Guitar Center asked us if we would be interested in being a part of this compilation of young artists to help draw attention to the bands. We loved the idea, and think Guitar Center is way ahead of the curve of what is possible between musicians and reaching new audiences." "SuperChrist" has proven to be a live fan favorite on the recent tour. A video for the track is now available on MySpace.
Greg Trojan, Guitar Center COO and President, reflected on the Fresh Cuts Vol. 2 CD and The Smashing Pumpkins' involvement: "Guitar Center strives to show the utmost encouragement to its employees - an immense pool of talent, creativity and drive. Avenues such as the Fresh Cuts projects act as a realization of recording release dreams, a forum for national exposure, a springboard to bigger things for the artists and a sincere thank-you to our employees for all their hard work. Partnering with such legendary acts as The Smashing Pumpkins makes these projects all the more meaningful for all involved."
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