Special to Independent Newsmedia
“Acoustic America: Iconic Guitars, Mandolins, and Banjos,” the newest special exhibition at the Musical Instrument Museum, opens this month.
Starting Friday, Nov. 10 the museum will share 90 historic acoustic stringed instruments played by the heroes of folk, blues, and bluegrass music. These instruments illuminate the intertwined histories of exceptional soloists and songwriters, groundbreaking instrument manufacturers, and novel inventions, illustrating how diverse origins combine into enduring musical traditions.
“These are instruments that have changed so many lives of artists and audiences alike,” MIM Senior Curator Rich Walter shared in a press release. “Each one has a unique story and personality, but together they remind us of the shared connections within America’s most influential music.”
Presented in partnership with renowned mandolinist David Grisman and his record label Acoustic Disc, “Acoustic America” showcases a collection of instruments that have redefined music not only in the U.S. but around the world. Notably, more than 30 special instruments from Grisman’s personal collection will be on public display for the first time.
Exhibition highlights include:
- Earl Scruggs’s 1928 Gibson RB-Granada banjo. Owned, played, and preserved in original condition by Scruggs, the world’s most famous and influential banjo player, this instrument is a rare treasure.
- 1935 Martin D-28 guitar played by Elizabeth Cotten. This “Herringbone” D-28 made a significant impact on American music when folk icon Cotten used it to record her famous song “Freight Train” and others for Smithsonian Folkways in 1957. Loan courtesy of Peter McLaughlin.
- Mississippi John Hurt’s 1964 Guild F-30 guitar. The blues legend picked out this guitar before playing it at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival. A young John Oates idolized and closely studied Hurt’s music and borrowed this same guitar to record the first two Hall and Oates albums in 1972 and 1973. Loan courtesy of John Oates.
- David Grisman’s 1925 Gibson F-5 “Fern” mandolin. This iconic F-5 “Fern” model, notable for the elegant fern-style inlay on its peghead, is one of the most significant instruments from mandolin virtuoso Grisman’s illustrious career. He played it with the influential bluegrass supergroup Old and In the Way and with his groundbreaking original David Grisman Quintet. Loan courtesy of David Grisman.
- Peter Yarrow’s 12-fret dreadnought acoustic guitar. Ambassador for civil rights and social justice, Yarrow played this guitar when Peter, Paul and Mary joined Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder to sing “Blowin’ in the Wind” at the inaugural celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday in 1986. Gift of Peter Yarrow.
- John Hartford’s A. A. Farland open-back banjo. A favored vintage banjo played by the multitalented Hartford, whose classic “Gentle on My Mind” became one of the most recorded songs in history. Loan courtesy of George Gruhn.
- Lloyd Loar’s personal 1924 F-5 mandolin. F-5 mandolins with famed Gibson acoustic engineer Loar’s signature on the label are the most valuable and sought-after in the world. This mandolin—its label dated February 18, 1924 — was Loar’s personal instrument, and this model is arguably his most iconic achievement.
The opening weekend of “Acoustic America: Iconic Guitars, Mandolins, and Banjos” will be celebrated with a three-day signature event at MIM on Nov.10, 11 and 12. The weekend will include family-friendly activities such as curator talks in the Target Gallery, live performances, and instrument demonstrations.
Visit MIM.org.
