Songbirds ready to show off guitars
BARRY COURTER: Lisa, it’s been 18 months in the making, and we have written about it several times over that period. Songbirds has its official grand opening celebration Friday through Saturday, and it’s going to be a party.
For those unfamiliar, Songbirds is the world’s largest collection of rare and vintage fretted instruments (mostly guitars). They are now housed in a museum at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. The grand opening will include an outdoor festival Saturday on Station Street that will feature food, drink and live music by Chattanooga Girls Rock, The Pool, The Drew Sterchi Band, The Communicators and a bunch of local guitar players. Also, the Gibson Custom Shop trailer will be there with some guitars.
LISA DENTON: Alas, I can only play air guitar, but I can’t wait to see this collection. And if I can’t wait, imagine how people who actually know what to do with a guitar feel about this place. Songbirds is gonna draw a lot of musicians, and I mean
big names. They already have Vince Gill as the ambassador. Most people know him for his singing, but he’s a great guitar player, too.
BARRY: Yes, he is. Joe Bonamassa was here to take a tour of Songbirds a couple of weeks ago, and he had high praise as well.
Also during the grand opening, Jim Wysocki, a longtime friend of the late Les Paul, will present “Les Paul — From Start to Finish,” a look at the electric guitar pioneer’s life and impact on music. Wysocki is doing shows throughout the weekend.
LISA: Some Les Paul Sunburst models have sold for more than $1 million, if that gives you an idea of his influence.
If I understand correctly, Songbirds’ collection is up to something like 1,700 instruments — and counting. The plan is to keep similar pieces on rotation, so you might go once and see groupings of British Invasion guitars and the next time guitars, banjos and mandolins from the annals of bluegrass.
BARRY: That is correct. About 500 instruments will be on display at one time, and they will be rotated and regrouped to create a new display. And new ones will be added to the collection, and others will be there on loan from collectors around
the world.
LISA: I’m going to pick a prominent wall and hang my air guitar on my first visit. I won’t even charge them for the honor.
BARRY: I saw a guitar stand in a shop window once. It had a sign that read, “Vintage air guitar, $500.” Wish I’d thought of that.
But, of course, that is not all that is happening this week. The rock musical “Rent” is at the Tivoli on Wednesday and Thursday. And don’t ask me how I know this, but “One Tree Hill” fans will be excited to know that Jimmy Eat World is at Track 29.
LISA: Wasn’t that the show where all the characters had that furrowed-brow pout every episode? You used to say you watched it because the shared experience made for good quality time with your daughter, which I totally get. But now that she’s out of the house, I don’t know how you’ll justify watching if they ever make that rumored reunion show.
BARRY: I moved on to “Gilmore Girls.” Don’t judge. Really it’s because I never could get that furrowed-brow thing to work
for me.
LISA: Speaking of out of the house, I’m hoping to get to the Tri-State Home Show this weekend at the Chattanooga Convention Center. You know I always have a project (or five) going. It’s a good chance to get ideas and look at the latest products for yard and home. I figure I’ll have room for something new when I donate that air guitar.
Get event details every Thursday in Chattanooga Now or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow. com.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress. com or 423-757-6354. Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton @timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.
I saw a guitar stand in a shop window once. It had a sign that read, “Vintage air guitar, $500.” Wish I’d thought of that.