For Dean Markley Strings, it started with "An Evening of Music and Hope" in San Jose, CA in late September. Presented by the Firesign Entertainment Group and sponsored by Markley, the Evening, a night of live music, dancing, and raffle prizes from favorite local merchants, was held for the benefit of the Greater [S.F.] Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation. Local Make-A-Wish recipient Raymond Perez was unable to attend the event, but later visited Dean Markley Strings' offices in Santa Clara, where he and Markley's Vice President for Worldwide Sales, Larry Volland, became fast friends.

Raymond Perez (r) with Larry Volland

A punk and alternative music fan, the 20 year old Perez is a San Jose native. While his primary wish to meet his favorite band, Blink 182, was accomplished last summer (he received a bass signed by the band), Perez remains hardcore. He takes every opportunity to get out to hear music; he and a friend recently went as Markley Artist Liaison, David Lienhard's, guests to the San Jose Event Center to hear and hang out with Good Charlotte and Markley Endorsing Artists, SUM 41.

During his visit to Dean Markley's Santa Clara offices, Perez and Firesign's Kristina Sablan and Darren Anderson met with Volland and Media Liaison, Meghan Predmore. Perez is currently looking for a guitar teacher, and when one is found, Volland has offered to pay for lessons, on behalf of Dean Markley Strings.

"Raymond is a great guy an avid music fan," notes Lienhard. "It's great that he's been enjoying what we've been able to do for him, and we're hoping he'll be coming with us to the Anaheim NAMM show, where we'll completely knock his socks off."

Their current involvement with Firesign, Make-A-Wish, and Mr. Perez is only the latest instance of Dean Markley Strings' long-standing and ongoing commitment to the community, and to community charities and non-profit organizations. The company participates in or sponsors several yearly benefit events, and works with a wide range of local organizations.

Firesign Entertainment Group was founded by San Jose-based singer-songwriter Kristina Sablan and local musician Darren Anderson. The company was founded out of Sablan and Anderson's awareness of the necessity to bring exposure and awareness to both great musicians and great humanitarian-based charities in the immediate Bay Area. "We were very excited about this event, and plan to do more partnering with the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation in the Future. We chose to work with them because we believe in the outstanding work they do for children," notes Anderson. "With help from corporate sponsors such as Dean Markley Strings, who was very generous and instrumental in making the event possible, we are able to bring our vision to light."

For information about Firesign Entertainment Group, go to: www.FireSignEntertainmentGroup.com

To contact the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit:
www.MakeWish.org.

For information about Dean Markley Strings’ full line of musical products, contact us via the info below.