About
Here’s a video where Linda Manzer tells the origin story of the Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine. (And below that you’ll find our most recent media release.)
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
What do over 60 major music artists have in common?
They have united to support a project to donate humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine.
That project is called Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine.
It was started by guitar maker Linda Manzer, who was motivated by the invasion of Ukraine to make a special Ukraine-themed guitar to inspire people to donate to much needed humanitarian relief there. (The guitar will be presented to the people of Ukraine when it is safe to do so.)
Music artists have taken up the cause by appearing in videos where they play the Sunflower Guitar, sign its blue and yellow guitar case, and encourage their fans to donate.
A large cross-section of the North American music industry is involved, including Dolly Parton, John Legend, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Joni Mitchell, Clint Black, John Bohlinger, Tom Bukovac, Tommy Emmanuel, Peter Frampton, Vince Gill, Jeff Hanna, Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, Jason Isbell, John Jorgenson, Jim Lauderdale, Geddy Lee, Pat Metheny, David Rawlings, Ricky Scaggs, Amanda Shires, Matt Shultz, Tracy Silverman, J.D. Simo, James Taylor, Gillian Welch, Kip Winger, and many other artists. (Complete list below.)
THE BACK STORY:
Linda Manzer is a world-renowned guitar maker whose instruments are played by superstars including Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Pat Metheny.
When Russia attacked Ukraine, Linda felt compelled to do something. She decided to do what she does best and within a month she had completed the Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine, a one-of-a-kind acoustic guitar with an inlaid sunflower in the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag.
The Sunflower Guitar is now on a long and winding journey to Ukraine where it will be gifted to the Ukrainian people.
Along the guitar’s journey, Linda has arranged for it to pass through the hands of many wonderful people, including superstar musicians and many of Linda’s fellow guitar makers.
All money raised is going to the people of Ukraine via the US charity $1k Project for Ukraine and the Canadian charity, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.
For more information, contact:
Linda Manzer, Luthier
Email: manzersunflower@gmail.com
Website: https://sunflowerguitar.com
Sunflower Guitar Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/manzersunflowerguitar
MUSIC ARTISTS IN SUPPORT OF THE PROJECT (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER):
Jason Aldean
Paul Asbell
Stephen Bennett
Pat Bergeson
Clint Black
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings
John Bohlinger
Bruce Bouton
Jimmy Bruno
Tom Bukovac
T-Bone Burnett
Larry Campbell
Steve Cardenas
Celisse
Bruce Cockburn
Peter Collins
David Crosby
Jake Eddy
Tommy Emmanuel
Tim Farrell
Stephen Fearing
Ian Flanigan (The Voice)
Bruce Foreman
Peter Frampton
Bill Frisell
Vince Gill
George Grydkovets
Christopher Guest
Arlo Guthrie
Jeff Hanna (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band)
Emmy Lou Harris
John Hiatt
Jason Isbell
John Jorgenson
Se-Hwang Kim
Julian Lage
Daniel Lanois
Jim Lauderdale
Geddy Lee
Jin Joo Lee (DNCE)
John Legend
Ryan Lerman (Scary Pockets)
Colin Linden
Gordon Lightfoot
Terra Lightfoot
Ted Ludwig
Jacob Matheus
Sean McGowan
Michael McDonald
John McFee
Murray McLaughlan
Pat Metheny
Blake Mills
Joni Mitchell
Marcus Mumford
Graham Nash
Kinloch Nelson
Jimmy Olander
Brad Paisley
Dolly Parton
Chico Pinheiro
Dave Rawlings
Ravin (Digging Roots)
Noah Reid (Schitts Creek)
John Sebastian
Amanda Shires
Matt Shultz
Tracy Silverman
J.D. Simo
Ricky Skaggs
Mason Stoops
James Taylor
Richard Thompson
Happy Traum
Brian Truesby
Nigel Tufnel (Spinal Tap)
Molly Tuttle
Keith Urban
Gillian Welch
Tom Wilson
Michael Watts
Yasmin Williams
Kip Winger (Winger)
LUTHIERS AND MUSICAL SUPPORT
Mario Beauregard
Dick Boak
Allen Booth
Dana Bourgeois
Dolphin Guitars
Walter Carter
Bill Comins
Tony Duggan-Smith
Marni Friesen
Miki Gakki
Bryan Galloup
Joe Glaser
Evan Gluck
Steve Grimes
George Gruhn
Michael Gurian
Norman Harris
Jennifer Hart
Jeff Hoffee
Cindy Hulej (Carmin Guitars)
Isaac Jang
Rick Kelly (carmin Guitars)
Steve Klein
Derrick Lacelle
Matthew Larrivee
William “Grit” Laskin
Linda Manzer
Michi Matsuda
Maxmonte
John Monteleone
Cristian Mirabella
Thomas Nordegg
Ken Parker
Sherwood Phifer
Baker Rorick
Roger Sadowsky
Ned Steinburger
Mark Stutman
Steve Stusser
T.J. Thompson
Fred Walecki
Maegen Wells
Peggy White
Wyatt Wilkie
David Wren
