Fine Guitar Consultants' Richard Glick joined George's daughter, Alexandra Barnes Leh, and Master Luthier Bob Benedetto in a panel discussion at the NAMM Success Center during NAMM 2003 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The discussion was moderated by Richard Glick of Fine Guitar Consultants at the invitation of Dan Del Fiorentino, Librarian for NAMM and the Curator for the Museum of Making Music.

The Guild George Barnes Acousti-Lectric guitar that the Barnes family is offering for sale through Fine Guitar Consultants, was played brilliantly by guitarist Larry Coryell in a duet with Joe Beck that afternoon. (Both Coryell and Beck are artists for Cort Guitars.) The story was told about the desires George had for a custom instrument, and how he made that happen for himself. Back in the days when fewer innovative guitar makers were available to execute unusual (and expensive) guitar projects, George found the Guild Guitar Company up for the task.

Guitarist Larry Coryell was heavily influenced by George Barnes' music. Said Larry upon being invited to the tribute, "I am honored to be invited...I have a lot to say on the subject of George Barnes."

Alexandra Barnes Leh had many personal remembrances to share with the audience. Alexandra sang with her father, accompanying him often to the studios for sessions, and knew many sides of this complex, hugely talented and dedicated musician. She is a television producer and is writing a book about her father.

The Guild Guitar Company today, under the ownership of Fender, is enjoying some room to breathe, as it is being allowed to maintain its autonomous integrity as a brand that serves the working musician. Sizable budgets have been allocated to a small group of heavily experienced luthiers, directed under the close supervision of Master Luthier Bob Benedetto. Bob joined this panel, speaking for Guild, which celebrates 50 years of making guitars this year.

Richard Glick, in addition to moderating this group discussion at NAMM 2003, has written a 2-part article on George Barnes' life that can be found in the May and August, 2003 Issues of Just Jazz Guitar Magazine. Richard addressed the idea that many guitarists, over time, were unknowingly influenced by George Barnes' guitar playing. Though it was all jazz in some form to George, his music was heard all over radio, television, night clubs, blues recordings, early Rock 'n Roll, commercial jingles to Carnegie Hall--virtually everywhere from the 1930's through the 1970's.



Richard is a contributing writer and consultant for Just Jazz Guitar Magazine. He was a guest speaker at NAMM 2000 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and was the subject of an in-depth article and interview in 20th Century Guitar Magazine and Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, as well as Acoustic Guitar Magazine in Japan.
The Glicks publish FGC MagOnLine, an ad-free online guitar magazine that can be accessed through the web site and by clicking here.
Fine Guitar Consultants was a member of the International Music Products Association (NAMM) for many years, and is currently active with The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans (A.S.I.A.) and the Guild of American Luthiers G.A.L.)
Services are free to guitar clients.The web site provides further details. Fine Guitar Consultants, P.O. Box 15524, San Diego CA 92175-5524 tel (619) 265-5900 fax 619 265-2527 email: rglick@fineguitarconsultants.com