Tag Archives: Fred Gretsch
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum Hosts Reception for New Chet Atkins Exhibit
Posted: August 12, 2011
Photos by Donn Jones Photography
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrated the grand opening of the Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player exhibit on Wednesday night with a private reception. Approximately 200 guests, including Fred Gretsch, Atkins’ daughter Merle Russell, Duane Eddy and James Burton, were warmly greeted by museum director Kyle Young.
“Chet was always a supportive friend of this institution,” he said. “He was also one of country music’s ultimate renaissance men, one of the greatest instrumentalists in American music history, and a true musical savant. We are truly honored to tell his story, one we know will resonate with country fans old and new.”
The evening included memorable musical performances by award-winning thumbpicker Ben Hall and world-class guitar-slinger Steve Wariner, who received official “C.G.P.” status even from Atkins in 1997.
Gretsch Company president Fred Gretsch also addressed the crowd, sharing details of Atkins’ history with their guitar company. Gretsch also brought onstage Atkins’ teary-eyed friend, Paul Yandell.
At the conclusion of the program, guests were invited to take an exclusive advance tour of the Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player exhibition which officially opens to the public on Friday, August 12.
The Gretsch Company joins the Great American Country Television Network as proud supporters of the new exhibit, which is scheduled to run through June 11, 2012. The exhibition will be accompanied by an ongoing series of programs throughout its duration.
For details on this grand opening weekend events, click here.
Australian guitar legend, Troy Cassar-Daley enjoys the exhibit. Photos/Donn Jones Photography
Fred Gretsch and Kyle Young. Photos/Donn Jones Photography
Steve Wariner, Earl Klugh, Reggie Young, Duane Eddy, James Burton, Scotty Moore, Paul Yandell, Ben Hall and Mark Pritcher. Photos/Donn Jones Photography
Paul Yandell and Duane Eddy. Photos/Donn Jones Photography
Steve Wariner. Photos/Donn Jones Photography
Ben Hall performs. Photos/Donn Jones Photography
Fred & Dinah Gretsch. Photos/Donn Jones Photography
http://www.gretschguitars.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/freddinah.jpg DIna
Tags: Ben Hall, Chet Atkins, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Duane Eddy, Fred Gretsch, Steve Wariner
Posted In: Artists Blogs, Events | Leave a comment
Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Celebrates Annual Convention
Posted: July 18, 2011
That Great Gretsch Sound, via Chet “style” finger pickin’, echoed throughout the ballrooms, hallways and lobby at the beautiful Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville, Tenn., from July 13-16, 2011 during the 27th Annual “CAAS” (Chet Atkins Appreciation Society) convention.
Folks from around the globe once again gathered to pay homage to Chester Burton Atkins (B: June 20, 1924 – D: June 30, 2001), better known as Chet Atkins for the celebrated annual event. Gretsch Guitars and local Gretsch dealer, Broadway Sound (Knoxville, Tenn.), had a magnificent display honoring Atkins with his signature model Gretsch guitars, rare vintage photos & memorabilia. The Gretsch Company president Fred Gretsch was also on hand to meet & greet attendees.
In recognition of a special exhibit honoring Atkins at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in Nashville from August 11, 2011 thru June 2012, Gretsch unveiled the G6122-1959 “Chet Atkins HALL OF FAME Country Gentleman” guitar at this year’s CAAS event.
Check out the videos below from the event, including performances and a few words from Gretsch product specialist Joe Carducci and Fred Gretsch …
Tags: Chet Atkins, Chet Atkins Appreciation Society, Fred Gretsch, Gretsch Guitars
Posted In: Artists Blogs | 2 Comments
Street Sounds in New York to Host Gretsch Day
Posted: June 14, 2011
One of the country’s finest music dealers is preparing to host Gretsch Day, a star-studded event where attendees will indulge in all things Gretsch.
The event will take place on June 18 at noon at Street Sounds in Brooklyn, N.Y., where guests will participate in giveaways, raffles and a presentation given by Fred Gretsch and Gretsch product specialist Joe Carducci.
Other big names in attendance include Gretsch artist Paul Pigat, who will perform and talk about the great Gretsch sound, and the lovely Kim Falcon, who will be present to sign posters and take photographs.
One of the highlights of the event includes the Gretsch tribute to George Harrison exhibit, which features a G6128T-GH George Harrison Custom Shop Tribute Duo Jet™ Guitar and exclusive memorabilia.
Afterwards, Fred Gretsch will be giving a walking tour of the original Gretsch factories in nearby Williamsburg.
This event is free of cost. For details on the location, visit Street Sounds’ Facebook page here.
Tags: Fred Gretsch, Gretsch Day, Street Sounds
Posted In: Events | Leave a comment
Gretsch Q&A in Premier Guitar
Posted: October 18, 2010
In its October issue, Premier Guitar features a great article on Gretsch guitars. Both Fred Gretsch and Joe Carducci (Gretsch Product Specialist) take turns answering questions from Premier Guitar readers, such as this question from Joel Trumbach.
“My fantasy guitar would be a Chet Atkins Country Gentleman, but I am a little perplexed with the tone-switching feature. Can you briefly explain that?” asks Trumbach.
“The mysterious tone switch, often referred to as the ‘mud switch,’ was Chet Atkins’ idea,” answers Carducci. “He wanted to be able to quickly change the tone of the guitar on the fly. It’s indeed a hip idea when used in that context. When holding the Country Gentleman in the playing position and looking down on the two switches on the upper bout, the tone switch is on the right (the pickup selector is on the left). In the center position, the tone switch is completely out of the circuit and the overall amplified sound will be as bright as possible in all pickup combinations. In the down position, the sound is like setting a rotary tone control on about is similar to setting a rotary tone control on about ’5,’ creating a warm, bass-y tone ideal for your favorite jazz licks, fingerstyle pickin’, or rhythm comping.”
Read the article in its entirety here.
Tags: Chet Atkins Country Gentleman, Fred Gretsch, Gretsch Q&A, Joe Carducci, Premier Guitar
Posted In: Product Updates & Reviews | Leave a comment
