A single Martin guitar can take up to sixteen weeks to produce, and is made with the highest quality materials available by skilled craftsmen and women, who pour their entire selves into their work. Then why have some people bought Martin guitars that were thrown together in two weeks with cheap woods and metals and no care? They aren’t actually Martin guitars.
Walking around the NAMM floor at Nashville’s convention center last week, it was incredibly surprising how many ukulele manufacturers there were. For some reason or another, the “uke” is becoming very popular; there were at least three manufacturers who were selling only ukuleles and ukulele accessories.
A myriad of artists, including Beck and Snow Patrol, have contributed songs to a tribute album for John Martyn, storied British folk singer and guitarist.
Roddy Ellias is one of the most well-respected guitarists in Canada. His dynamism as an artist and his consistent pursuit of harmonic and melodic adventure have made him a consummate musician. Known for his energetic performances and his thoughtful renditions of both new and existing works, he continues to surprise and delight his audiences.
English guitarist Martin Simpson, grabbed a new PRS acoustic, electrified with a pickup he said, “…was put in today.” He offered the house guests of Paul Reed Smith a set of acoustic tunes that included a bluesy American song, a sweet slide number and a song he wrote as a tribute to his father.
Cody Kilby, guitarist with Ricky Skagg’s band Kentucky Thunder and a 2010 IBMA nominee for Best Instrumental Guitarist played a sweet PRS acoustic guitar this evening at Paul Reed Smith’s house part. His solo performance included two spellbinding instrumentals, including one that’s, at the moment, untitled.
