DHR MUSIC SIGNS GUITARIST DILLON HODGES AS NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON When I hear a young man like Dillon Hodges play the guitar, I know that the future of flat picking is in very good hands …. His lyrics, voice, and guitar playing have a sound that is similar to some of the new popular artists like John Mayer. – Dan Miller, Flatpicking Guitar Magazine CINCINNATI, January 30, 2009 – DHR Music, a premier dealer for Benedetto, Breedlove and Hamer Guitars and Henriksen JazzAmps, has signed 18-year-old guitarist Dillon Hodges of Florence, AL, as the company’s national spokesperson, it was announced by Dale Rabiner, DHR’s President. “We can't think of a better person to be our spokesman,” said Rabiner. “First of all, he truly is a guitar phenomenon. In addition, he seeks to excel at all that he does and believes in giving back through community service and teaching the younger generation of upcoming guitarists. Last but not least, he is left-handed! We're astounded at the great accomplishments he's already achieved at the age of 18 and expect them to only multiply.” As the representative for DHR, Hodges will make appearances at events and will perform at the company’s booth at numerous national guitar and trade shows. He will be featured in DHR promotions and advertisements in a variety of national publications and will also exclusively endorse Breedlove acoustic guitars, Benedetto arch-top guitars and Hamer electric guitars. Hodges’ first event as a DHR representative will be at the South Carolina Guitar Show in Spartanburg February 28 – March 1. Since the time that Dillon first played a guitar, at age 11, his musical journey has been on a fast track. Less than two years after he first picked up a guitar, he won a national championship as the best flat picking guitar player in the country for ages 12-and-under. In September 2007, just one month past his 16th birthday, he won the Flat Picking National Championship at the 36th Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS, besting a field of 40 of the nation's top pickers. With the win, Hodges became the first guitar player ever to win the title of National Champion Country Music Beginner in Flat Top Guitar and the Flat Picking National Championship. In winning the Walnut Valley Festival, Hodges became the first left-handed player in the 36 years of the event to win. He's also the first winner from the state of Alabama and is the second youngest winner ever – second only to Mark O'Connor. Dillon released his debut CD “Stormy Weather” in July 2007 and is currently touring nationally as a member of the Nashville-based band, Missy Raines and the New Hip. For more information, please visit dhrmusic.com, dillonhodges.com and myspace.com/dillonhodges