As direct 4th generation Gretsch family descendant, and with over 40 years of diverse music industry leadership, Fred W. Gretsch has cultivated a singularly unique perspective and vision. Here, Fred shares his rich and varied experiences, including his involvement with current activities as well as personal reflections.
November 16, 2009
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GREAT GRETSCH ROUNDUP IN NASHVILLE
Fred Gretsch (left) with Gretsch Guitars master builder Stephen Stern |
Any time you get a bunch of Gretsch fans together, it¹s going to be a rockin¹ event. But get them together for a whole weekend, playing in a 100-year-old tobacco barn on the outskirts of Music City USA, and you have the ingredients for a genuinely historic occasion.
Such was the case this past October 16-18, when I had the pleasure of joining Gretsch players from across the country at Hachland Hills Vineyard in Joelton, Tennessee (just outside of Nashville) for the second annual Gretsch Nashville Roundup. The event was a live-in weekend of jammin¹, jawin¹, and jivein¹ in a camp-like setting. And, of course, the musical focus was on the great sound of Gretsch instruments. As is always the case in any band setting, drummers at the Roundup were outnumbered by guitarists and bassists. But what they lacked in number they made up for in talent and enthusiasm, providing great rhythmic support for the music that echoed throughout the surrounding woods . The drumming trio at the Nashville Roundup consisted of Jon DeVaul (who provided his own beautiful Gretsch kit for use at the event), Dylan Taylor, and Jason Woodring. And the attraction of the drumset was so strong that it prompted bassist Steve Harms to put down his axe and pick up some sticks for a few tunes. I really enjoyed the great music and the camaraderie that was shared by everyone at the Roundup. And I was happy to share some personal stories and anecdotes about the history of the Gretsch company, the Gretsch family, and some of the great artists who helped to create the Gretsch legacy.
Additional coverage of the event can be seen on the Gretsch Pages discussion forum Click Here
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