It’s that time again — when we prepare to ring in the new by celebrating the best of the past year. So this week, we give you some of our favorite stories from 2006.

Originally published on 10/2/2006

Uh-huh. You’re with the band. Right.

Hey, wait. What’s that on your wrist, anyhow? A guitar-string bracelet you found on a site run by Relix magazine? Made with strings from John Mayer’s guitar? And the proceeds went to causes he and other musicians support?

Gotcha. So Relix works with AZU Studio jewelers to forge the bracelets in men’s and women’s sizes, sells them, and sends monies to charities like HeadCount (nonpartisan voter registration), Rock and Wrap It Up (extra backstage concert food sent to the homeless), and Seva (supports health care and sustainable communities around the world).

Say, which other music makers hand their goods over for the causes? Béla Fleck, Death Cab for Cutie, and Widespread Panic? And the posse at Relix takes e-mail requests for other strummers’ bracelets, too?

Well, then. Guess that is something to brag about.

Music to our ears, actually.

Available online at wearyourmusic.relix.com.