“The entire collection came about because of Eric Clapton," says Michael Doyle, VP of Guitars Merchandise for the Guitar Center. "He approached us and said that he wanted to do the Crossroads Festival again. This time, he wanted to raise the profile of the Crossroads Centre through products that would be reflective of his legacy. At the same time, it would raise funds for the Crossroads Centre.”

Unveiled yesterday (4 February) in New York City, the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Collection is comprised of the replica Fender Eric Clapton “Brownie” Tribute Stratocaster guitar, a Gibson Harrison-Clapton “Lucy” Les Paul, and Eric Clapton Signature Martin 000-28 and 000-45 models, as well as Eric Clapton “Crossroads” guitar straps from Ernie Ball.

Proceeds from the sale of every “Brownie” Tribute Stratocaster will benefit Crossroads Centre Antigua, the Caribbean drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility Clapton founded in 1997, as well as the EMP Museum. The release of the “Brownie” Tribute also coincides with Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013, which also benefits Crossroads Centre Antigua.