Ernie Ball/Music Man John Petrucci Clinic Coming To Guitar Center

Dream Theater Guitarist to Appear at National Chain's Manhattan Store

COACHELLA, Calif. (June 3, 2008) - As part of Guitar Center's "Sessions" program, Dream Theater guitarist and signature Ernie Ball/Music Man artist John Petrucci will be appearing at the Manhattan Guitar Center, located at 25 W. 14th Street, this Saturday, June 7 at 6:00 p.m.

Hosted by Sterling Ball, Ernie Ball president and son of legendary Ernie Ball himself, the free event will consist of an evening of dialogue and insight with Petrucci, who will be sharing his experiences and techniques. The program will also include a live demonstration, followed by a question and answer period.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Petrucci began playing guitar at the age of 12. Though primarily self-taught, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston in the 1980s, where he learned jazz composition and harmony. While there, Petrucci hooked up with John Myung and Mike Portnoy to form a band called Majesty, which would later be renamed Dream Theater.

Dream Theater has since recorded 14 albums and is currently on a worldwide tour promoting Systematic Chaos, their latest release available from Roadrunner Records. Petrucci was named the Guitarist of the Year in 2007 by Total Guitar Magazine and is also a regular on the G3 tour with Joe Satriani.

For more information on the John Petrucci seminars, visit www.guitarcenter.com/sessions.

Ernie Ball is a leading innovator of guitar strings. The company was the first to offer rock strings with the introduction of Slinkys, and further revolutionized the market by offering guitarists Custom-Gauge® single strings. Ernie Ball also produces Music Man® guitars and basses, volume pedals and other accessories. Strings and accessories are available in more than 5,500 music stores throughout the U.S. and in 75 countries. For more information, contact the Ernie Ball Company at (805) 544-7726, or visit their website at .

These products are Ernie Ball trademarks registered in the USA and many foreign countries:

ERNIE BALL®     CUSTOM GAUGE®     SLINKY®     EARTHWOOD®
MUSICMAN®
STINGRAY®     SILHOUETTE®     AXIS®
STERLING®     4+2®     3+1®

Trademark ownership is indicated by the symbol ®, however, for the sake of brevity it is omitted during the story.

Contact:
Brian Ball
Ernie Ball, Inc.
(800) 543-2255

Media Contact:
Keith Negrin
MORSEKODE
(952) 853-9555