On January 23, 2025, the Grateful Guitars Foundation presented our first-ever custom Beam to Jake Wolf, a celebrated Colorado drummer and more as well as member of Sages and Spirits, during the band’s first of two nights at Cervantes Masterpiece in Denver. At the same event, the Foundation presented a $5000 donation to Youth on Record, a local non-profit dedicated to empowering young people through music and the arts.

The Beam, created by Eric Mitchell is a unique instrument famously invented by Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead to produce deep, resonant tones that blur the lines between rhythm and melody.

Jake’s custom Beam, handcrafted by Mitchell, represents the culmination of decades of innovation and passion. Mitchell, a retired industrial education teacher and longtime Deadhead, began crafting Beams in 2020 after being inspired by a Dead & Company concert. His workshop in St. Louis is now the only place in the world producing these rare and distinctive instruments.

In addition to honoring Jake Wolf, the evening put a spotlight on the work of Youth on Record, a Denver-based non-profit that uses music to empower youth. Foundation beneficiaries were on-hand all day to assist in all sides of the production and then receive the monetary donation from Grateful Guitars Foundation.

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