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Tuesday July 23rd, 2002
Musical worlds collide at Gibson Custom Shop Gala
A-Team member Harold Bradley and Lynyrd Skynyrd's Gary Rossington don't appear to have much in common at first glance, but each has made his mark as an influential guitarist. Gibson's Custom, Art and Historic Division honored the axemen at an exclusive party Thursday night (July 18) at the factory in Nashville. Bradley received a career achievement award for reportedly being the most recorded guitar player in history, and Rossington was presented with his new signature guitar -- the first limited-edition Gary Rossington Les Paul -- a replica of his personal guitar "Bernice."
"It's fantastic, this is a wonderful honor."
- Harold Bradley"It's fantastic, this is a wonderful honor," said Bradley modestly. "It's a wonderful party, and I'm totally surprised. I'm thrilled being here tonight, and I want to thank all the people at Gibson."
Rossington was equally excited. The new signature guitar looks just like Bernice, he said. He explained to the cheering crowd that Bernice is named for his mother.
Bradley came to prominence as a member of the "A-Team," a group of Nashville session musicians who played on countless recordings and contributed to what became known as the "Nashville Sound," a more uptown style of country with lush strings and background vocals. The prolific guitarist's fancy finger work can be heard on classics including Patsy Cline's "Crazy," Roy Orbison's "Only the Lonely," Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man," Brenda Lee's "I'm Sorry," and Roger Miller's "King of the Road." He also invented the tic-tac bass style, muting an electric guitar and doubling the bass part. Bradley is one of 12 sidemen inducted into the Studio Musicians Hall of Fame at RCA's legendary Studio 8 -- now a museum run by the Country Music Hall of Fame -- among other awards and honors. He currently serves as president of the Nashville Association of Musicians Local 257 of the American Federation of Musicians.
Rossington, a pioneer of the Southern rock sound, is well known for his guitar work on such definitive Lynyrd Skynyrd classics as 1973's "Freebird" and 1974's "Sweet Home Alabama." Together with bandmates Allen Collins and Ed King, the three were legendary for their triple guitar attacks. The band tragically lost founding vocalist Ronnie Van Zant and two other band members in a plane crash in 1977; Rossington and Collins regrouped in 1980 and formed a new band. Collins was involved in a car accident in 1986 which paralyzed him, and in 1990 he succumbed to respiratory failure. Rossington and other band members persevered, reuniting in 1987 and touring. The band began recording again in 1991, and continued to tour throughout the '90s. Lynyrd Skynyrd will celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2003.
Rossington's guitar Bernice was purchased in a bar from a woman whose boyfriend had just left her, leaving behind only his guitar. The new Rossington Les Paul was created to be a duplicate of the guitar, down to the aged "Rossington sunburst" finish and hardware. At one point he broke the headstock and used a pair of small screws to repair it. While the new model replicates the screws, it does not replicate the break.
Lynyrd Skynyrd's Johnny Van Zant, Rickey Medlocke and Gary Rossington
After the press conference and dinner, an all-star jam ensued with guest guitarists Kenny Olson (Kid Rock), Johnny A., Jack Pearson, Mike Holloway, Larry McCray, Gibson chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz and Gibson employees Ernie King and Dorothy Smith. Peter Frampton also attended and was in the audience.
Johnny A. and Larry McCray
Kid Rock guitarist Kenny Olson and Jack Pearson
Peter Frampton (center) with Valorie Stover and Gibson Custom's Mark Quarles.
Peter Frampton, Epiphone's Jim Rosenberg, Kenny Olson and his wife Dana
Indy Racing League's Airton Dare, Gibson Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz and A.J. Foyt IV
Johnny A. checking out a Custom Firebird
Johnny A., Larry McCray and Kenny Olson
Winner of the '58 Les Paul Giveaway, Leah Gallin from Australia
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