New models and unique guitars will be available to play and purchase at special pricing! Richard Starkey will talk about and perform on many Martin guitars on display.

About Richard Starkey:

Guitarist and vocalist Richard Starkey has long been considered one of the best lead and flatpicking guitar players in the Northeast. He has entertained audiences with his versatility and musicianship for more than 25 years. A winner of several awards for his picking and vocals, Richard plays solo, duo, and with a number of respected and popular Country and Bluegrass groups.

His musical career includes concert performances with Bill Monroe, Peter Rowan, The Newgrass Revival, Vassar Clements, David Grier, Kenny Smith and Roland White. He has also performed and recorded with Rounder recording artist Skip Gorman and "Rabbit in a Log." Richard has picked for the Nashville recording group "Teresa and the Rangers," who were voted by the New England Country Musician Association as New England’s best country band. Starkey has opened concerts for such luminaries as Johnny Cash, John Hartford, Doc Watson and Norman Blake. Richard has recently completed a flatpicking duet CD entitled Delaware Crossing with 1995 National Flatpicking Champ Mark Cosgrove, available on the "Noisy Neighbor Label."

Richard, who is based in Franklin, Tennessee, is an authorized Martin Guitar Repair Technician who takes care of the guitars of many of Nashville’s celebrity recording artists that play Martin guitars. He was recently profiled in Flatpicking Guitar magazine.

Richard has been actively involved with stringed instrument making and repair for more than 25 years. His clinic includes a historical overview of the Martin Guitar Company throughout its 166-year history, a video tour of the Martin plant in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and plenty of acoustic guitar picking and singing in the wide range of styles that he has mastered. A relaxed and informal entertainer, Starkey is capable of answering just about any question posed on the history, construction and sound of the "C.F. Martin" guitar. Clinic attendees are welcome to bring a favorite Martin guitar for a free check up (time permitting), and admission is free.

Martin Artist Craig Thatcher

Woody's Music and C.F. Martin and Co. present an evening with Martin Artist Craig Thatcher and Martin Factory Representative Christopher Bacon.

Join us at 7 p.m. for a very special Martin Guitar event featuring superpicker and Martin expert Craig Thatcher

New models and unique guitars will be available to play and purchase at special pricing! Craig Thatcher will talk about and perform on many Martin guitars on display, including the new Performing Artist Series.

About Craig Thatcher:

C.F. Martin & Co. is proud to present Steel String Showdown Artist Craig Thatcher, speaking about and performing on the instruments which have driven his lifetime passion for music and excellence for well over 40 years. Favoring blues, jazz, Travis-picking and various other acoustic styles, Craig is adept to many genres and can draw distinction between a wide range of Martin models to demonstrate their best qualities and main differences. Discuss with him the many personalized options available through the Martin Custom Shop and get your hands on a full “saloon” of Martin Instruments and Strings. As a top authority on C.F. Martin's new Performing Artist Series, Craig will demonstrate the many amazing features of Fishman‘s F1 Aura onboard intelligence system, which leads the field in live acoustic tone. Experience the magic of Martin Guitars and Strings through Craig’s impressive knowledge and remarkable chops.

Craig is a band leader, a guitar instructor and recording artist and in the past has worked with many great artists including Simone, Buddy Guy, Derek Trucks, Duke Robillard, John Hammond, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jonny Lang, Charlie Musselwhite, Train, Robin Trower, Dicky Betts, Savoy Brown, Jorma Kaukonen, Marty Stuart, Roseanne Cash, Roger McGuinn, Rory Block, Woody Mann, Peter Rowan, Herman's Hermits, Spencer Davis Group, Laurence Juber and many other international pop and blues artists. Craig is also the leader of his own Eric Clapton musical tribute �ge,” a retrospective of EC's career beginning with the Yardbirds. Craig looks forward to meeting YOU at your local STEEL STRING SHOWDOWN.