Martin Guitar unveiling one-of-a-kind "Art Guitars"

 

 

 

C.F. MARTIN & CO TO UNVEIL FIRST SERIES OF

‘ART GUITARS’ AT WEEKEND MUSIC & ARTS CELEBRATION

 

Collection of Eight One-of-a-Kind Pieces, Rescued and Embellished by Eight Talented Artists, Set to be Auctioned for Charity

 

 

Nazareth, PA – August 6, 2010 – Where do guitars that are damaged during shipping go when they die?  Eight assorted Martin guitars were lucky enough to avoid their uncertain fate after being rescued by an “angel” in search of a new medium for her artistic endeavors. 

 

C. F. Martin & Company (http://martinguitar.com) today announced that it is publicly unveiling eight “Art Guitars” during a series of special events taking place this weekend in historic Nazareth, Pennsylvania.  These one-of-a-kind guitars were built by Martin Guitar, but suffered shipping damage that normally would have resulted in the guitars being destroyed.  Angel Band singer/songwriter Nancy Josephson, however, asked permission to “embellish” one such of the out-of-commission instrument. After completing her incredible bejeweled guitar (below), Josephson enlisted the talents of seven additional artists to create their versions of guitar art. 

 

The result?  Eight unique and extraordinary designs that will be on display this weekend during the 5^th Annual Martin Owners Club Event and 3^rd Annual Martin on Main celebration taking place at and around Martin’s famed factory and museum.  Following the events, the Art Guitars will join the Martin museum collection, where they will remain until being auctioned off to benefit a charity in Wilmington, Delaware, where Josephson resides with her husband, legendary musician David Bromberg. 

 

“Aside from the sheer joy of applying our art upon the wonderful facades of Martin guitars, these unique pieces will help fund the restoration the Wilmington's jewel, the Grand Opera House, as well as the C. F. Martin Charitable Foundation,” said Nancy Josephson. 

 

About the Martin Owners Club Event and Martin On Main

 

Over 1,400 members of the Martin Owners Club and The UMGF: Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum will converge on Nazareth, PA, for their 5th annual gathering. Martin Guitar enthusiasts from across the country and around the globe will come together on August 6 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Martin Guitar factory and museum located at 510 Sycamore Street, Nazareth, PA 18064.

This day-long event of musical camaraderie, entertainment, exclusive first looks at new guitars and product demonstrations, factory and museum tours, live music, guitar clinics, an open mic staging area, food and sunshine is an opportunity to socialize with Martin Guitar employees and C.F. Martin’s sixth-generation family head Chris Martin IV. The Martin Owners Club event is a unique, once a year, official open-house celebration with Martin Guitars’ closest friends and special guests.  

 

Following the Martin Owners Club event, on Saturday, August 7, is the Third Annual "Martin on Main" event hosted by the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce and the UMGF.  It will feature a day-long music and arts celebration bringing local merchants, vendors, and over two dozen performers on stages located throughout the historic city of Nazareth, PA.

 

 

 

About C. F. Martin & Company and the Martin Owners Club

 

For 177 years, C. F. Martin & Company has provided the music community with some of the world’s finest handcrafted acoustic guitars. In 2004, Martin Guitar entered a new chapter in music history with the introduction of the Martin Owners Club, a new way for musicians and fans to enjoy the “Martin experience.”  Membership is open worldwide to anyone who shares the pride of owning or playing the world’s premier guitar. By joining the Martin Owners Club members receive items that are not available anywhere else including access to special events, periodic mailings and members-only discounts. Please visit www.martinownersclub.com for more information about the Martin Owners Club online and www.martinguitar.com for information on Martin Guitar. 

 

# # #

 

Press Contact:

 

Matt Biscuiti
The Lippin Group

212-986-7080

matt@lippingroup.com

 

 

 

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Martin on Main

This Saturday is Martin on Main. The day begins at noon and runs through 8:00 p.m. There are three main stages one at the Circle, one in front of KNBT at Main and Broad, and one on Belvidere Street in front of the Center for the Arts (30 Belvidere Street). Belvidere will be blocked from Green St. through Spruce. The Circle will be mostly closed.

There will be plenty of music, Martin Guitars on display, food, and other vendors.

The Morning Call reports on the event today (read it here)

The Center for the Arts Stage has both scheduled performers and open microphone times for enthusiasts to play single or duo.

The Center’s stage schedule is (subject to change):

12:30 – 1:30 Ed and Kim Rhodes

1:45 – 2:30 Nina Romanenko

2:30 – 3:15 Open Microphone

3:15 – 4:30 Trevor Gordon Hall

4:30 – 5:00 Open Microphone

5:00 – 5:45 Jake Kaligis

5:45 –8:00 Open Microphone

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Insomniak Theatre Presents: No Exit

Insomniak invites you to see Jean-Paul Sarte's play "No Exit" staring: Jen Santos, Laura Melchiorre, Dwight Evan Young and Matthew Oberdoester. The show runs August 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 at 8pm. Tickets are $15 adults and $12 senior/students. For tickets call 610-759-7000 or order on-line at www.lvartboxoffice.org

A Valet escorts three recently deceased corpses to an isolated room with permanently stationed furniture, no windows, no mirrors & scorching temperatures. As the three absentees prepare for the arrival of the "torturer", they begin to peel away their shells and come clean as to why they are in "hell" to begin with. They later learn that the true tortures of hell do not come from an executioner... but from each other!...

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Gracedale for Sale?

Both the Express-Times (read it here) and the Morning Call (read it here) report on Northampton County Council’s apparent decision to move toward the sale or lease of Gracedale, located in Upper Nazareth Twp.

A study recommended that the state’s second largest nursing home be put up for sale or leased and County Executive John Stoffa and Council Chair Ron Angle appear to agree with the recommendation.

The home employs 750 people and has 650 residents. In 11 of the past 14 years it was profitable, but it is projected to lose $7.8 million this year.

One of the major reasons cited was the cost of a guaranteed pension program as opposed to a 401K, which is offered by many private companies.

The county expects to earn approximately $2.5M per year if they lease the facility out to a private company.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

NYT Article on Casinos Includes Nazareth Resident

A New York Times article on the gambling industry in the area around NYC focused on Mt. Airy and included reference to a resident of Nazareth (read it here).

Jeff Jones, a Nazareth area landscaper, was an ‘example’ of how the table games have increased revenues. Jones had been coming to Mt. Airy to bring his mother who liked the slots. With table games now open he also plays.

The article discussed the extreme competition in the region with Sands  now open and a few new ones that will be on recently granted Indian tribal lands. It also notes how NJ is considering responding to the significant loss Atlantic City has taken at its 11 casinos.

At a time when everyone apparently needs money, governments are encouraging and supporting the casinos due to the tax, but you do have to wonder about the impact it will have on the people spending so much on the chance of a big payout.

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

Nazareth Veteran Receives Bronze Star

The Express-Times reports that Nazareth veteran Frank Calabrese received a Bronze Star for actions he took four decades ago (read the article here).

The article notes, "Calabrese earned the medal during an intense 24-hour-period in October 1970 while serving in the 1st Air Cavalry Division, A Co., 1/7th at “The Parrot’s Beak,” 40 miles west of Saigon."

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker