NASHVILLE, TN - The Les Paul Foundation, whose mission is to honor and share the life, spirit and legacy of Les Paul through generations will award the legendary Steve Miller with this year’s Les Paul Spirit Award in partnership with Gibson Gives, the philanthropic division of Gibson. The prestigious award will be presented to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee at 6:30pm CT at a private ticketed event held at the Gibson Garage Nashville, located at 209 10th Ave S, Suite 209 in downtown Nashville, TN. The event will take place on what would have been Les Paul’s 110th birthday.
The annual award is presented to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the late, great Les Paul through innovation, engineering, technology and/or music. In addition to the award, a grant from the Les Paul Foundation will be made in the honoree’s name to the charity of his choice. Like Les Paul, Steve Miller personifies the spirit of excellence through musicianship and industry recognition.
Steve’s relationship with Les Paul was deeply personal and formative. Les Paul was not only a family friend but also became Miller’s godfather as noted above. Their connection began in Miller’s early childhood in Milwaukee, where his parents frequently attended Les Paul and Mary Ford’s performances. A young Steve Miller was introduced to Les Paul who gave him his first informal guitar lessons and taught him his first three chords. Miller has often recalled how these early experiences watching Les Paul perform and receiving personal instruction were pivotal in inspiring his own musical journey. To understand how close the two families were, Steve’s father “Sonny” was even the best man at Les Paul’s
wedding. Miller joined Les Paul on stage at his 90th birthday concert in New York city highlighting their enduring bond. Steve continues to enthrall his audiences with stories like these at his performances.
Past recipients of the award have included Bob Weir (founding member of The Grateful Dead), producer and musician Nile Rodgers, U2’s the Edge and Peter Frampton.
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