Damon Marks

Damon Marks, is an American professional rock and roll guitarist, songwriter, record producer, and philanthropist. Marks is the founder of the Traveling Guitar Foundation, a non-profit that supplies underfunded school systems with support and musical instruments.[1] He is a spokesman for Merida Guitars and has performed with such artists as Alicia Keys and Bret Michaels.[2][3]

Damon Marks
Damon Marks in 2016
Background information
Born (1971-10-06) October 6, 1971
Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States
GenresHard rock, heavy metal, R&B
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, Philanthropist
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals
Years active1990–present
Websitedamonmarks.com

Equipment

Damon presently holds full artist endorsements with Schecter Guitar Research and EMG, Inc. Damon primarily uses the Schecter Banshee Elite-6 FR S with the new sustainiac supercharger pickup system and the Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 FR with EMG Pickups 57/66.[4][5]

He also endorses the hand crafted Mérida Guitars DG15-SPGACES Diana Series Guitar and the T25-CES Trajan Series Nylon String Guitar.[6]

Discography (with Lipstick Magazine)
  • Skin Deep – released August 5, 2008 via Nightmare Records
  • Live in NYC – released April 28, 2008 via Lipstick Magazine
  • "Skin Deep" – from Skin Deep, released 2008

Discography (with Livre')

Traveling Guitar Foundation

In 2009, Damon founded the Traveling Guitar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to ensure that school children have access to high-quality musical instruments and instruction.[1][7] By partnering with such sponsors as Schecter Guitars, Merida Guitars, and Blackstar Amplification, the foundation donates new instruments to underfunded schools nationally and internationally.[8] By 2015, the foundation had equipped 70 schools and 30,000 students with musical equipment.[9]

Damon Marks talking with students about the importance of music education.

In early 2013, Damon went on his first celebrity USO tour.[10]

On October 24, 2014, Marks was presented with a street sign at a ceremony by Mayor Christian Bollwage of the city of Elizabeth, NJ where he grew up.[2][11]

On May 13, 2016, Marks was presented with a second street sign at a ceremony by Mayor Barbara McMorrow of the city of Freehold, NJ recognizing him for his contributions to the education of our children through his foundation. Marks was also presented with a proclamation that on Saturday May 15, 2016, being declared Damon Marks / Traveling Guitar Foundation day.[12]

References
  1. "Traveling Guitar Foundation contributes to music education at Robert Morris School No. 18 in Elizabeth". NJ.com. March 14, 2013.
  2. Makin, Cheryl (April 18, 2015). "Traveling Guitar Foundation sets groundwork for success". Courier News.
  3. Broadway World
  4. "Damon Marks". Schecter Guitars.
  5. "Damon Marks". EMG Pickups.
  6. "Damon Marks". Merida Guitars. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014.
  7. "Traveling Guitar Foundation". Traveling Guitar Foundation. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  8. "NJ guitarist donates instruments to local music programs". WPIX. June 9, 2017.
  9. "David Tyree helps support music education". New York Daily News. April 24, 2015.
  10. "Guitarist Damon Marks Reminds Troops and Their Families the USO is Always by Their Side during Morale-Boosting Tour to Germany" (Press release). USO. Retrieved May 1, 2013 – via Prweb.
  11. "Street Dedication (temp) for Damon Marks/Traveling Guitar Found". City of Elizabeth NJ – City Hall. Retrieved October 24, 2014 – via Facebook.
  12. "Freehold Township Mayor Barbara McMorrow, Damon Marks and Michael Palmisano". Traveling Guitar Foundation. May 17, 2016 – via YouTube.
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