Past Gretsch Events 2011

Here are some highlights from the 2nd half of 2011:

CHRISTMAS 4 KIDS – 11/21
On November 21, Charlie Daniels Band & Friends held a sold-out benefit concert at the Ryman Auditorium. A Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gentleman guitar was auctioned as part of their fundraising efforts.

BIGSBY AT PHILLY GUITAR SHOW – 11/12 & 11/13
The Great American Fall Guitar Show took place November 12-13 in Philadelphia at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. Bigsby was there with a full line of products, demo guitars, as well as free installations and “pit-stop” program.  Read more.

BIGSBY AT GUITARLINGTON – 10/15 & 10/16
Bigsby, along with Tom “TV” Jones and Gretsch Guitars, exhibited at the GuitArlington guitar show on 10/15 & 10/16.  This one-stop GUITAR EXTRAVAGANZA included FREE Bigsby Installations (with restrictions) and guitar setups by TV Jones.  Also offered were Bigsby Pit-Stops–a “refresher” for Bigsby-equipped guitars where our Bigsby technician checked to ensure guitars brought in by show attendees were at their tip-top vibrato playing performance. Read more.

USPTO Trademark Expo – 10/14 & 10/15
Bigsby & Gretsch exhibited at the USPTO Trademark Expo held at their headquarters in Alexandria, VA. The annual event is designed to educate the public about the value of trademarks in the global marketplace.  This year included a special musical performance by a talented young guitar player named Enrique.  Enrique was joined by the legendary Chubby Checker on Friday and by a variety of costumed characters on Saturday. Check out photos and videos from the event here.

THE SAVANNAH FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL & NOTEWORTHY ART GUITAR AUCTION – 10/7 to 10/9
The Gretsch Foundation—the charitable arm of The Gretsch Family—proudly supported the 2011 Savannah Folk Music Festival.  The Festival kicked off Friday, 10/7, with concert performances in Savannah’s Ellis Square and part one of the “Noteworthy Art” guitar auction and concluded on Sunday, 10/9, with more music in Forsyth Park along with part two of the guitar auction.  More information on the festival can be found here.

Fred Gretsch & Chris Desa, president of the Savannah Folk Music Society, appeared on WTOC11’s Mid-Morning Live on 10/5 to discuss the festival and Noteworthy Art guitar auction. Watch the program here. Immediately afterward, Chris performed a song on a beautiful art guitar he purchased at last year’s auction. Watch his performance.  WTOC11 also aired a story covering the festival’s opening night.

GRETSCH NASHVILLE ROUNDUP WEEKEND – 9/30 to 10/2
The Gretsch Nashville Roundup happened over the last weekend in September. Our friends at GretschPages.com facilitated live streaming for those who couldn’t attend. In case you didn’t catch it, check out some videos from the weekend here. It was another great Roundup that included a special visit from Duane & Deed Eddy.

FRED & JOE SHOW CANADIAN TOUR – 9/25 to 9/28
Fred Gretsch & Joe Carducci took their “Fred & Joe Show” to Canada beginning with GuitarWorks in Calgary on 9/23, followed by the Edmonton Fall Guitar Show on 9/25, and the WestEnd Rock Shop on 9/26. Gretsch artist Paul Pigat also conducted a guitar workshop and clinic on 9/28 at Avenue Guitars in Edmonton.  Check out some event pictures here.

GRETSCH AT ABBEY ROAD ON THE RIVER – 9/1 to 9/5
Another great event at Abbey Road on the River in DC took place over Labor Day weekend. The Fred & Joe Show brought standing-room-only crowds. A Gretsch guitar was also auctioned to help American Red Cross fundraising efforts bringing in $4,500.  A fun, spontaneous sing-along broke out in front of the Gretsch exhibit while attendees waited for the doors to open for the “LOVE” performance. Check it out here.

CHET ATKINS: CERTIFIED GUITAR PLAYER EXHIBITION OPENING – 8/10
A special exhibition opening reception took place Wednesday evening, August 10, at The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in advance of the exhibit opening to the public on August 12.  During the exhibition opening weekend, the public was able to enjoy an exhibit introduction and talk by a Museum curator; a panel discussion featuring Ray Stevens, Steve Wariner, and Billy Edd Wheeler and illustrated with photos, film footage, and recordings from the Museum’s Frist Library and Archive; film screenings; and much more.  The exhibition runs until June of 2012.  Check out pictures from reception here.

CREAM CITY MUSIC – 7/23
July 23 was “All About Gretsch Day” at Cream City Music in Brookfield, WI. George Harrison Tribute Duo Jet display, door prizes, presentations, and a whole lot more! Check out a video of the display here.

SUMMER NAMM – 7/21 to 7/23
Summer NAMM 2011 included the Wanna Play Music public day on Saturday, 7/23.  The Bigsby booth was a hopping place featuring a display of all Bigsby vibrato models, handles, books, as well as guitars equipped with the appropriate vibratos. Get all the details here.

BALTO-DC ROUNDUP – 7/23
At the Harford Park Community Assoc Center in Baltimore on Saturday, July 23. Attendees were treated to a trivia contest, giveaways, and much more with live coverage that began at 4 p.m. Check out videos from this terrific event here.

CHET ATKINS APPRECIATION SOCIETY CONVENTION – 7/13 to 7/16
The 27th Annual “CAAS” (Chet Atkins Appreciation Society) convention took place at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville from July 13 to 16. Folks from around the globe once again gathered to pay homage to Chet Atkins at this annual event. Gretsch Guitars and local Gretsch dealer, Broadway Sound, had a magnificent display honoring Atkins with his signature model Gretsch guitars, rare vintage photos & memorabilia.  More info here.

SWEETWATER GEARFEST – 6/24 to 6/25
Gretsch Guitars was at Sweetwater’s GearFest 2011 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Fred Gretsch, Joe Carducci, and Paul Pigat attended with a special presentation at 1:30 p.m. on June 25. Check out a video of Fred & Joe talking with Mitch Gallagher here.

GRETSCH DAY AT STREETSOUNDS – 6/18
Gretsch Day at StreetSounds in Brooklyn, NY happened on Saturday, June 18. Included in the festivities were the Fred & Joe Show presentation, a performance by Gretsch artist Paul Pigat, an appearance by the lovely Kim Falcon, prizes, in-store sales, and a walking tour of the Williamsburg neighborhood by Fred Gretsch.  View videos from the event here.