TRAVELING WILBURYS GUITAR TO BE AUCTIONED FOR THA, GEORGE IS DESIGNER

Thomas Heyward Academy will hold its fourth annual Spring Gala on Saturday to benefit the school and one item on the auction list is sure to draw some attention.

Gretsch Guitars has donated a rare collector’s item guitar from the 1990s Traveling Wilburys collection.

The Traveling Wilburys were a music group consisting of Bob Dylan, George Harrison (after The Beatles), Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty. The group recorded two albums in 1988 and 1990 sans Orbison.

Dinah Gretsch, called Mrs. G by THA students, flew to California where the Wilburys were recording their second album to discuss a line of guitars inspired by the group.

“George always played Gretsch so he called and told me about the idea and then Gretsch made that guitar for five years only, from 1990 until 1995,” Gretsch said. “And every graphic is different.”

Harrison designed a large graphic himself that measures 4-by-6 feet. Each guitar has a crisp white background coating with a different section of the Harrison design, so none of them look the same.

Members of the group signed the guitar on the back.

“And we don’t sell this guitar anymore, we only use it for non-profits and special auctions,” Gretsch said. “It can be played but it’s truly a collector’s item.”

At the time the guitar was originally sold, it retailed for $750 dollars.

Gretsch said the Traveling Wilburys guitars have brought in as much as $10,000 from auctions at Savannah Country Day School and another high school in New York.

She said she doesn’t expect Ridgeland to bring in as much funds, but anything to benefit the students is worth it.

Gretsch manufactures musical instruments like guitars, bass and drums and is headquartered in Ridgeland. Professional musicians like Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz, U2’s Bono, and Michelle Branch are customers.

Gretsch founded Mrs. G’s Music Foundation to help support music programs in schools. The foundation currently supports THA’s music program.

Tickets for the gala are $10 each and can be purchased ahead of time online (www.thomasheyward.org) or at the school. Call THA at 726-3673 for more information.