Texas Blues-rock guitar slinger Mean Gene
Kelton has recently joined the ranks of
ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ted
Nugent and the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan
and many more as part of an elite alumni to sign an exclusive
endorsement deal with world famous guitar string manufacturer
GHS Guitar Strings
of Battle Creek, Michigan.
Kelton first came to the attention of GHS in the
summer of 2004, when a regional rep for GHS was passing through
Texas and happened to catch one of Kelton's shows. Impressed by
what he saw, he alerted Dave Cowles, Artists Relations Manager
for GHS of his new discovery.
"When I first heard about Mean Gene Kelton,"
say Cowles, "I went to his website and gave him a listen.
No doubt, the guy definately plays a mean guitar. But we also
look for someone who has a proven track record of performances,
touring, radio airplay and name recognition. Kelton has it all.
I was also impressed with the fact that Kelton's website was getting
over 60,000 hits a month. He has also had six number one songs
on various blues/rock charts world-wide. We like that kind of
exposure. Kelton also performs at a lot of benefits, especially
for other musicians. That is the sort of quality we like to attach
our name to."
Cowles contacted Kelton and extended an invitation
to visit the GHS factory the next time he was passing through
Michigan. Within a month, Gene and Joni Kelton were standing in
Cowles office, and were given a personal guided tour of the GHS
factory.
"I have been bending these guitar strings since
I was ten years old", says Kelton, "and never had a
clue or even given much thought as to how they were made. The
factory was a beehive of activity, and I was enlightened and fascinated
by the entire process. All the workers were very friendly and
seemed to be really happy and content with their jobs. Most of
the employees have been there for over twenty years. That speaks
for itself. Quality in workmanship is on everyone's mind, not
just a slogan on a poster. They rolled out the red carpet for
us and treated us like royalty."
As the tour ended, Kelton was loaded down with GHS
strings and Rocktron guitar effects pedals. Cowles whipped out
an Artist Endorsement Agreement and placed it in front of Kelton
and handed him a pen. "I was caught completely by surprise",
says Kelton, "I had no idea that GHS was interested in me
as an endorser. I thought we were just taking a tour, next thing
you know, I was signing the official endorsement agreement."
Kelton's name and image may now be used in various
GHS Guitar String advertising promotions and campaigns endorsing
the virtues of GHS strings and Rocktron products.
"GHS guitar strings scream," says Kelton,
"they really do the job I need for playing high energy, southern
fried, houserockin' Texas blues. Especially when I'm playin' slide
with a foamin' beer bottle. I am very pleased with the quality
of the guitar strings and the effects pedals. I am also very proud
to be on board with a music business legend like GHS."
For questions, info or interviews, contact:
Dave Cowles, Artist Relations
GHS Guitar Strings
800-388-4447 ext. 231
dcowles@ghsstrings.com
http://www.ghsstrings.com
Mean Gene Kelton
713-866-4872
meangene@genekelton.com
http://www.genekelton.com
