Business Donates Guitar For Miracle League

An opportunity for people to get an autographed guitar signed by three country music legends to benefit a program for children and adults with special needs is available if the price is right.

An online auction will be held, starting next week, to sell the Fender MA 1 guitar, with all proceeds going to the Miracle League project in Jonesboro.

Country music artists Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Bobby Bare and comedian Mark Lowry signed the guitar during the Aug. 14 Johnny Cash Music Festival at Arkansas State University.

Greg Martin, owner of Backbeat Music in Jonesboro, said he donated the three-quarter sized guitar a few days before the festival to help raise money for the Miracle League.

The program supports the building of a rubberized ball field at the Southside Sports Complex in Jonesboro. The field, which will have room for a soccer and a baseball field, is expected to open in October, Jonesboro parks director Sharron Turman said.

Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin said each of the music artists and Lowry graciously donated their signatures and support for the project.

The signatures of McEntire, whose first major hit was “Whoever’s in New England”; Lynn, who sang hits like “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and Bare, who sang the song “Marie Laveau” and Lowry are on the front side of the guitar.

In addition to the signatures, the winner of the auction will also get photos of the four people attached as part of a display.

Martin said he has supported the Johnny Cash festival since it began in 2010. The festival has been a fundraiser for the Johnny Cash boyhood home in Dyess. The home had its grand opening earlier this month the day after the music festival.

MIRACLE LEAGUE
Turman said construction on the project is ongoing and officials are hoping to have a grand opening Oct. 25.

There have been several fundraisers this year for the project.

The Weiner Pig Roast, a fundraiser in April at the Weiner school in Poinsett County, was attended by several state politicians who literally helped to pass the hat to raise money. Turman said the local Junior Auxiliary and chapter of United Cerebral Palsy recently each donated $15,000, while a local business, Craine’s Therapy donated $5,000 for the project.

Another goal is to invite actor and director Kevin Costner to the October event, Turman said.

“We definitely would like to have him there,” Turman said.

People interested in learning about the project or the auction can call Jonesboro City Hall at 870-932-1052.