Fender University Announces 'Guest Faculty' For Spring 2009 Session

LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ Fender University) - For its spring 2009 session, Fender University has announced that the March 4-8 education program in Corona, Calif., will be topped with special appearances and performances by guitar heroes James Burton, G.E. Smith and John 5, and legendary producer/engineer Eddie Kramer.

Fender University's "guest faculty" also features guitar aces Gary Hoey, Greg Koch and Wolf Marshall, plus Fender signature artist bass masters Reggie Hamilton and Tony Franklin. Fender University will also feature a special private concert with guitarist/vocalist Philip Sayce (Jeff Healey, Uncle Kracker) and "class photos" taken by world-renowned rock photographer Robert Knight

Burton is a 2008 inductee into the Fender Hall of Fame. He is revered as a pioneering and extraordinarily influential rock 'n' roll guitar master, famous for his lyrical phrasing, impeccable solos and stinging Telecaster sound. He rose to fame in the 1950s backing up Ricky Nelson and later earned even more acclaim as an A-list sideman for Elvis Presley, John Denver, Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello and many others.

Smith is highly regarded for his many 1980s-era hits with Hall & Oates, and his work with Bob Dylan, David Bowie and many other artists. He was a familiar face to millions of TV viewers as musical director for Saturday Night Live from 1985 to 1995. John 5 is an eclectic shredder's shredder best known for his light-speed playing with Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie. Kramer is a recording industry legend who worked on albums by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, AC/DC and many others.

Burton, Smith and 5 are all Fender signature artists with their own distinctive Telecaster guitar models.

Fender University offers a five-day behind-the-scenes music education experience to guitar and bass enthusiasts worldwide at all skill levels. Students experience a hands-on immersion in the world of Fender products and people, with exclusive access to Fender's manufacturing headquarters and to the world-renowned Fender Custom Shop, all presented through a series of music workshops, hands-on educational experiences, facility tours, performance opportunities and special guest appearances.

The weeklong music education program was an unqualified success when it was launched in 2007 with a summer session that featured guest artists including Yngwie Malmsteen and Dweezil Zappa.