To Jimmy's Fans, Friends, Students, and Supporters:

As you are all aware, Jimmy has asked Affiliated Artists to dissolve their business relationship and close the doors of the Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute. Jimmy knows that this is shocking, sudden news and that you all have many questions you would like answered.

During this transition period, however, it is in Jimmy's best interest to not answer questions about what happened and how the dissolution process is progressing. As much as I am sure we would all like to have "the whole story," it's just not possible to do so. With that in mind, Jimmy and his legal representation are asking that you please not continue to ask questions and discuss the "who, what, where, when, and why" aspects of JBGI's closing.

I encourage you all to focus your thoughts, attention, and positive energy towards Jimmy and his new venture rather than dwelling on past business dealings.

But How Is Jimmy Doing?

The closure of JBGI and the pressures associated with it have caused a true hardship for Jimmy. As you know, JBGI will continue to operate until January 5, 2011, with Jimmy responding to master classes as usual. During these next three months, while he fulfills his obligations to his students, Jimmy will also be hard at work creating dynamic new lesson content for the new site.

However, all of this will be done with absolutely no financial remuneration until the closure of JBGI. Since no membership renewals are taking place between now and when JBGI officially shuts its doors, Jimmy's primary source of income has completely gone away. I think we can all agree that for our beloved teacher this is just not acceptable.

So How Can You Help?

• In order to help our dear friend, teacher, and mentor, we have set up a fund where we, his friends, students, and supporters can make a real difference by contributing whatever we can. Though he is grateful to the numerous contributors who have already helped him get a new JimmyBruno.com website launched quickly, it is, unfortunately, not enough. The fund is being called the "Friends of Jimmy Bruno fund," and you can donate via PayPal using the form at the bottom of this page. Please donate whatever you can. Even as little as $10 from everyone will go a very long way. And if you would like to contribute monthly until his new jazz guitar school opens, all the better!
• Please refrain from asking Jimmy questions about the partnership dissolution or any grievances you might have with how the closing of JBGI is being handled. This includes the chat program on JimmyBruno.com, the JBGI forum, the new JimmyBruno.com forum, and anywhere else.
• Sign up for the email mailing list on the front page of JimmyBruno.com so he can keep you up to date with information on what's coming next for his site and new online jazz guitar school.
• "Friend" Jimmy on all of the relevant social networking sites: YouTube, Facebook, mySpace, and Twitter.
• Become a Street Team member. Many of you have your own social networking pages and sites. You can help spread the word to all of Jimmy's students and anyone else who might be interested in jazz guitar. A social networking army is a very powerful friend for Jimmy to have.
• Be patient. Certainly the hardest one for all of us, myself included. Rest assured that Jimmy is hard at work on the new lesson material and underlying technology, and is very excited to embark on a new journey. As much as you are counting on him for your jazz guitar needs, he is counting on you to allow him the time to create the next generation of his brilliant teaching method.

In the last three years, many of us have told Jimmy how much his teaching has affected our lives; often saying we didn't know how to repay him. Now is our chance to give back and really make a difference to a man who is truly deserving of our help. Your support will enable Jimmy to meet his financial obligations during this time and will go a long way towards helping him through a very stressful period.

Thanks for your support!
BarbNY