This press release appeared in several music enthusiast and music retail trade magazines in mid-to-late 1993 through to early 1994. The magazines publishing this story included, but were not limited to, The Island Ear, Music Trades, 20th Century Guitar and Musical Merchandise Review.

An autographed model VS-40CE Vantage electric/acoustic guitar was donated to Billy Joel founded "Charity Begins at Home", in cooperation with Murphy's Music and WBAB-FM Radio.

Music Industries Corp. and Vantage Guitar dealer Murphy's Music of Melville, NY, donated the instrument to WBAB-FM radio on behalf of the aforementioned popular charity.

Two VS-40CE instruments, valued at $459.95 each, were autographed by Long Island natives Brian Setzer of Stray Cats fame, Elliot Easton formerly of the Cars and Vantage user Frank Carillo of Golden/Carillo along with singing partner Annie Golden. Other artists kicking in were Eddie Martinez of the Robert Palmer Band, Ricky Byrd - Joan Jett's former lead axeman, Gene Cornish of the Young Rascals, Guitar instrumentalist Larry Mitchell, and Ian McDonald of Foreigner to name just a few..

One of the two instrument was raffled off at the trade show to a lucky winner from Atlantic City, NJ. The second instrument was presented to WBAB-FM radio to be raffled during a December telethon.

Prior to the telethon, the instrument was displayed in the Juke Box Cafe, a popular Long Island nightclub displaying a vast collection of Rock N' Roll memorabilia. According to Bob Buchman, owner of the Juke Box Cafe and also morning drive-time WBAB-FM DJ, < December telethon callers pledged a minimum of $5.00 to $10.00 to be eligible to win the autographed Vantage Guitar. The instrument took in approximately $8000.00 towards the Billy Joel founded Charity; a blanket charity providing for Long Island's needy.

Music Industries Corp. also donated an autographed guitar to 92.3 FM K-Rock Radio in New York City. on behalf of the Harry Chapin founded, Annual Hungerthon Radiothon to benefit World Hunger Year.

The instrument, a Vantage Thinline Electric/Acoustic Model VS-40CE, valued at $459.95, was autographed during a Hungerthon Concert at the Beacon Theater in New York City. Performing artists providing their autographs were Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, and Carl Palmer of Emerson Lake and Palmer, South Side Johnny, Buster Poindexter, Richie Havens, Janis Ian, Roger McGuinn and Roseanne Cash.

The instrument was presented to 92.3 FM K-Rock radio personalities Pete Fonatele and Dave Herman by Christopher Buttner, Music Industries Corp. publicist. The guitar was auctioned off during the Hungerthon charity event to a listener by the name of Addison Sherman, taking in a single donation of $3,550.00 for the charity event.

According to Bill Ayres, co-founder of World Hunger Year, money provided by the autographed Vantage instrument will provide for the poverty stricken, homeless and hungry of America. The Hungerthon, as a whole, took in a total of $325,000.00.