Guitar World, the world’s best-known guitar magazine, has agreed to become a major media sponsor of the 2012 New York Guitar Show and Exposition, which will take place April 28 and 29 in Merrick, New York. “The support of Guitar World is greatly appreciated and clearly illustrates how important this event will be for the industry,” said show founder Rich Johnson. “We are proud to have them as a media sponsor and expect the show to have a long relationship with the magazine.”

The Pawn Stars guys couldn't believe their luck when the nephew of singer Mary Ford walked into their shop with a piece of history: a cream 1961 Gibson SG that was once owned by guitar innovator, and Ford's ex-husband, Les Paul.

It's a Monday night in May at a packed Iridium Jazz Club at Broadway in New York City. The Les Paul Trio has just finished a set highlighted by loose, playful readings of "All of Me," "Blue Skies" and "Sweet Georgia Brown." But the evening is still young, and just before the last piano flourish fades, the Trio is joined on stage by a grinning, Les Paul-toting Ted Nugent, the Motor City Madman himself. After thunderous applause, he and his guitar launch into a solo instrumental take on "The Star Spangled Banner."