RAY AND LOUISE NELSON FOUNDED GUITARS
Not Guns in 2002 to help reduce violence in
schools and on the streets by providing a music
program for at-risk teens and other deserving
children. Barbara Gorin discovered the organization
four years later, and since then she has
become its most charismatic supporter. “What
I love most about Guitars Not Guns is bringing
music to these kids’ lives,” she enthuses. “I love
kids, I love music, and I love playing the guitar.
On the first day of class, the students sign a contract
that says they will take care of the guitar,
that they will practice and come to all the classes,
and that they’ll return the guitar. To see them
play together at graduation eight weeks later is
a joy, but it’s not the best part—the best part is
when they find out they get to keep the guitars!”
Guitars Not Guns currently has more than
70 teachers in nearly 20 states, with additional
chapters in Canada and the United
Kingdom. In addition to major corporate sponsors,
the organization receives gear and other
support from manufacturers such as Fender,
Gibson, Jim Dunlop, Dean Markley, Ernie Ball,
Korg, Ace Products, Saint Blues, Steve Clayton,
and Hot Picks. Gorin also solicits signed
guitars from rock stars—such as the ones supplied
by the members of Heart and Blondie—
that she sells on eBay to raise money. “I just
speak from my heart and people listen,” she
says.