Guitar Center - the world’s largest musical instrument and professional audio retailer - has just released the new compilation CD Fresh Cuts Volume 4. The fourth in an ongoing series, the CD is part of Guitar Center’s GAIN Program, designed to give GC Employees an outlet for pursuing their music industry dreams. As such, the 18-track disc features recordings by members of the GC family, hand-selected by none other than legendary alternative rock band Weezer from a pool of GC employee submissions. Weezer are also included on the CD (available as of July 21) themselves, via "Everybody Go Away" - an exclusive track only available on this compilation. 50,000 CDs are available for free (while supplies last) at over 200 GC locations.
The GAIN Program was launched in March 2007 to help
Guitar Center team members achieve their musical aspirations. At the heart of GAIN is an extensive private social network where
Guitar Center, Inc. employees can post music, pictures, blogs and online discussions, 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.
Weezer’s involvement continues an exciting trend for the GAIN Program and the Fresh Cuts CD series. Fresh Cuts Volumes 2 and 3 - made available at Guitar Center stores in 2008 - both featured participation from key members of the music community, with the material on Volume 2 being selected by Grammy® winners Smashing Pumpkins and Volume 3 placed in the hands of hip-hop luminaries Just Blaze, Jay Electronica and Mike Chav. Both the Pumpkins and Jay Electronica also contributed tracks for those compilations.
According to Weezer’s official site, "Everybody Go Away" was recorded in 2000 during preproduction stages for their 2001 self-titled release, the so-called Green Album. The site also points out that Fresh Cuts Volume 4 features a track from Jason Cropper, former Weezer member and current Guitar Center Professional Account Manager.
Weezer founding member Pat Wilson stated, "It’s fun to be on this compilation and to draw attention to the bands on it. Hopefully it will encourage people to grow musically and to enjoy the experience of playing together."
Jeremy Cole, Guitar Center GAIN Program Manager, reflected on the Fresh Cuts Volume 4 CD and Weezer’s involvement: "Partnering with Weezer made perfect sense. Guitar Center and Weezer both focus on inspiring the next generation of musicians. We are fortunate to be able to team up with groundbreaking bands like Weezer to offer exposure and opportunity to all Guitar Center employees on a national level."
