Bob Motley of Paris, Ill., wrote the winning entry (see below) for our Valentine's Day-themed
'In Love With Your Guitar' contest, as determined by our editorial staff.
We encouraged you guys to say "something sweet about your guitar," and Bob's entry struck us as both authentic and poetic. That means he's now the proud owner of a
Cherry Epiphone Casino!
"It's an honor," says Motley. "I've entered a lot of contests over the years but haven't won many. After I found out I won, I was looking at some of the Web sites demoing these guitars, and I forgot how good they sound. I'm really excited about owning a Casino. They have a vibe that no other guitar has. I'm thrilled to death."
Bob Motley's winning entry:"When I open the case the room is filled with the sweet smell of 50-year old mahogany. A few pick scratches and worn marks on the headstock tell tales of barn dances and get-togethers in village halls with family and friends playing songs written by Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and other country luminaries. My grandfather was the one that held this guitar so long ago. It was found in its case under a bed at his house after he died. My Grandma gave it to me a few years later when I asked about it and she told me to take good care of it. I found out it was a 1958 Gibson LG-0 and have cherished it from the moment I got it. It's a little hard to play as far as the action but nothing good comes easy! When I wrap my hand around that beautiful neck and pick the strings with my fingertips I feel in touch with all of the great songwriters who have written their first song on a guitar much like this one. I feel the good earth beneath me and the limitless sky above and am aware of the possibilities ... no boundaries ... just a clean slate from which to create something magical ... something that will reach the heavens or someone's heart. Hope. And, most of all, I see Gramps smiling back at me saying, 'Pick me a good one.'"
Read all the entries here.