Celebrating the Americana Music Triangle International Guitar Month
Florence, AL – Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Visitor Center
This guitar was signed by country singer Rodney Atkins when he was in Florence shooting a video.
Sheffield, AL – Muscle Shoals Sound Studios
These guitars are signed by Swamper, Jimmy Johnson.
Sheffield, AL – Muscle Shoals Sound Studios
Put on display by guitarist Pete Carr. This is his personal guitar.
Sheffield, AL – Muscle Shoals Sound Studios
This guitar is signed by many influential musicians and producers in the Muscle Shoals Music History. The Swampers, Rick Hall, etc.
Sheffield, AL – Muscle Shoals Sound Studios
Called the Alabama Jammer, this was the only Alabama shaped guitar that Gibson ever made. It belongs to the state tourism office but is on loan to the studio.
New Orleans, LA – House of Blues New Orleans
Quote from the artist:
I’m not sure what to say about my guitar! My inspiration comes from the House of Blues itself and being surround by folk art every day. I always end up with a plethora of Mardi Gras beads every year and love mixed media art. My beaded guitars are playable and the one displayed in HOB is strung with black light receptive strings, so they glow.
Indianola, MS
B.B. King played primarily on a Gibson semi-hollow body ES-355. He had a lot of them over the years, and every guitar was known as Lucille. Here is a statue of that guitar.
Ridgeland, MS – Mississippi Craft Center
Stained glass guitar by artisan Debby Delashmet, member of Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi.
Tupelo, MS – Tupelo Hardware Co.
These guitars are available for purchase at Tupelo Hardware Co. where Gladys Presley bought Elvis his first guitar. You can still buy a guitar at the same counter where the King of Rock N’ Roll got his first guitar.
Bristol TN/VA – Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Played at the 75th anniversary of the Bristol Sessions in 2002, this Martin guitar has also been played at the Grand Ole Opry and the 28th Annual Carter Family Memorial Music Center Festival.
Franklin, TN – The Franklin Theatre
These are upstairs in the green room and hallway, places the public doesn’t normally see. Just artists, guests and those who take a tour can see the guitars.
The most interesting guitar is the painted guitar: It’s a Didley Bo, handcrafted by James “Super Chickan” Johnson, the blues artist out of Clarksdale, MS. The folk art painted on the guitar depicts the famous crossroads in Clarksdale. He presented it to the theatre when it first re-opened.
Franklin, TN – The Franklin Theatre
The three guitars in the green room were donated by friends of the theatre. Left to right – Fender Telecaster, Chet Atkins Gretsch and a Vintage Harmony Hollywood. The guitar strings are kept freshly strung and tuned for the artists and guests that come in who might want to play one.
Franklin, TN – The Franklin Theatre
Just outside the green room are three guitars hanging in front of a “Wall of Fame” (where pictures of the artist that have performed here hang) Left to Right – Vintage Harmony Guitar, Fender Stratocaster and Alien Audio 5 String Bass made by a local luthier. Donated by friends of the theatre.
