Glen Allen, Va. — ­ What happens when you join a 151-year-old musical instrument manufacturer with one of the world’s most legendary musicians who happens to be the single most influential harmonica player in the annals of popular music? You make history, of course! The Hohner company and Bob Dylan are proud to announce the Bob Dylan Collection of hand-signed harmonicas, celebrating the accomplishments and legacy of both Bob Dylan and Hohner. Hohner has manufactured and distributed musical instruments since 1857, making it one of the world’s oldest musical instrument makers.

Bob Dylan ­ venerated American singer-songwriter, author, poet and disc jockey ­ has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. During his career, Bob Dylan has won awards for his songwriting, performing, and recording, earning him eleven Grammys (including a Lifetime Achievement Award), Kennedy Center Honors and an Academy Award. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2008, Bob Dylan was awarded a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation for his “profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power.”

“Hohner is extremely proud to celebrate the artistry of Bob Dylan, one of America’s musical treasures,” said Clayman Edwards, President of Hohner, Inc. “Throughout his iconic career, Bob Dylan has maintained a special relationship with the Hohner company and has showcased our harmonicas in his music. At this time, Hohner is honoring that association by offering our collection of limited edition, hand-signed Marine Band harmonicas to the public. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Bob Dylan fans and we hope that those who are able to own these items will treasure them as a reflection of his musical genius.”

The first item in the collection consists of a complete set of seven Marine Band harmonicas in the natural keys of C, G, D, F, A, B, and E, which have been played and hand-signed by Bob Dylan. The harmonicas are displayed in an inlaid ebony box, handcrafted exclusively for Bob Dylan with his distinctive “Eye” logo on the lid and a renowned, framed picture of Bob Dylan on the inside cover. A letter from the President of Hohner, Inc., is included, confirming authenticity. Limited to twenty-five sets worldwide.

The second item in the collection is a single Marine Band harmonica in the key of C, hand-signed by Bob Dylan. This single harmonica is displayed in an inlaid ebony box, also handcrafted for Bob Dylan with a signed card from the President of Hohner, Inc., confirming authenticity. Limited to one hundred harmonicas worldwide.

These limited edition pieces will be available for sale in the United States exclusively through Sam Ash Music, an 84-year-old music retailing legend that has been selling Hohner harmonicas since it opened its doors in 1924. A special “viewing preview” will take place at Sam Ash Music in Hollywood, California, from September 24 through October 8, 2008. A New York viewing will follow at Sam Ash Music’s Manhattan location from October 15 through October 29, 2008. The actual sale of these limited edition pieces will take place online at www.samashmusic.com at midnight, October 29, 2008.

“In addition to our release of these limited edition pieces, Hohner’s collaboration with Bob Dylan naturally led to the development of a next-generation harmonica,” stated Scott Emmerman, Director of Marketing and Sales for Hohner, Inc. “This new harmonica has an enhanced sonic versatility and produces both uncharacteristically warm tones while also achieving a brilliance or ‘brightness’ that allows musicians to more freely express themselves. It was not easy to achieve the standard that Bob Dylan represents. Among other things, we gold-plated the reed plate in order to achieve the specific sonic requirements.”

Appropriately named the Bob Dylan Signature Series Harmonica, this new product is available individually in the key of C, as well as in a set of seven natural keys of A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. The harmonica features custom cover-plates bearing Bob Dylan’s signature, a carrying case embossed with Bob Dylan’s “Eye” logo, and an outer gift box featuring an exclusive picture of Bob Dylan in the inside cover.

The set of seven Bob Dylan Signature Series harmonicas comes in a special carrying case and is perfect for today’s professional musicians who desire a complete set of harmonicas that are ready to perform to the highest standards. These products will be available at authorized Hohner dealers nationwide.

[tags]Bob Dylan Signature Series harmonicas, Hohner Inc[/tags]