Kix Picks Gibson Gator

A few months ago, Kix Brooks wrote on the Artists' Wall of Gibson's Custom division, "Thanks for giving us dreamers something to dream for."
One of Brooks' guitar dreams came true Thursday (10/24) when Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz presented him with a new Les Paul, hand-carved and inlaid with images of Brooks' favorite animal--the alligator.
The top of the Gator Guitar sports an alligator, carved in relief and hand painted. "I can't wait to get him on the CMA's," said Brooks. (Brooks played a Gibson J-200 on the 1996 Country Music Awards show, when he and partner Ronnie Dunn won Entertainer of the Year honors.)
The gator has jaws open, ready to snap up four hapless carved frogs, which also serve as knobs for the tone and volume controls. "Boy, them frogs look great," Brooks said. "I'm gonna have to name these guys now."
The pearl inlay on the fretboard depicts an alligator half-immersed in an ebony swamp. A fifth frog, inlaid in pearl, dances on the headstock.
The back of the guitar features another carved alligator, whose tail extends the length of the guitar's neck. Brooks' initials, "KB," are inlaid into the back of the headstock. The rims are also carved to simulate alligator skin.
"This is the most awesome thing I've ever had," exclaimed a pumped-up Brooks as he admired his new possession. "I can't believe you'd let a wild man like me even play something like this."
Brooks went on to say that he's always been partial to Gibsons: "I've always played Gibson guitars because they're the coolest thing out there." And being a Louisiana native, he's long had an affection for green reptilian creatures. The idea for an alligator guitar was sparked by a belt buckle he wears, also depicting an alligator.
Bruce Kunkel of the Custom, Art, Historic division, whose creations include guitars depicting the careers of Les Paul and Elvis Presley, worked with Brooks to come up with a design. Then Kunkel put in 250-300 hours carving, inlay and painting the Gator Guitar.
At the presentation, Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz summed up Kunkel's efforts: "This is a work of art, It's more like a sculpture than a guitar."

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