Martin Guitar Co. to Present Interactive Guitar Tour at Bluegrass Museum!

Dick Boak, Director of Artist Relations and Martin Guitar Archivist, to host guitar tutorials and events in Atlanta, Nashville and Owensboro March 13-18

Appearances by bluegrass guitarist Richard Starkey and blues guitarist Craig Thatcher

Dick Boak, Director of Artist Relations and official Archivist for C.F. Martin & Co. , the family-owned Nazareth, PA-based manufacturer of acoustic guitars and strings, will tour several Southern cities giving guitar demonstrations from March 13-18.

Stops along the tour include Guitar Center in Atlanta (March 13); East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN (March 14); Guitar Center in Nashville (March 15); International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, KY (March 16) and The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville, TN (March 18). In addition to guitar demos, each appearance will feature presentations on the history of the modern American acoustic guitar, question and answer sessions with Dick and his guests, and a chance for attendees to play a Martin guitar.

Joining Boak on this tour will be bluegrass guitarist and Martin guitar clinician Richard Starkey; and blues guitarist and leader of the Pennsylvania-based Craig Thatcher Band, Craig Thatcher.

"We selected the stops along this tour with extreme care," said Boak. "Each stop will be a chance for fans of Martin, new and old, to interact with our instruments and come away with some real, practical knowledge about guitar playing and the history of the guitar itself."

While Dick Boak's official title is Director of the Museum and Archives and "Special Projects," he has been inextricably intertwined with the world-renowned Martin Guitar Company in Nazareth, PA for more than 35 years. He established and managed Martin's highly visible Artist Relations and Limited Edition guitar program which produced signature models for more than one hundred legendary artists including Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Jimmy Buffett, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, John Mayer and Sting. An employee since 1976, Dick has worn many hats at Martin. Originally hired as a design draftsman, he has been a builder of prototypes, manager of "The 1833 Shop," founder of "A Woodworker's Dream" (which evolved into the "Guitarmaker's Connection"), manager of Martin's Sawmill and Wood Products Division, and director of Martin's in house advertising department and print shop.

About Martin Guitar & Martin Strings

C.F Martin & Co. (www.martinguitar.com) has been creating the finest instruments in the world for over 175 years. It continues to innovate, introducing techniques and features that have become industry standards including X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar and the "Dreadnought" size.

One of the world's leading acoustic instrument makers, Martin guitars are hand-made by skilled craftsmen and women, who use a combination of new design and techniques along with those introduced by the company founder.

The company is also known for producing high-quality, popular acoustic guitar strings. These include the Martin SP® LIFESPAN™ line - the fastest-growing treated string in the industry, and the Martin SP line - which uses an industry leading core wire to hold tunings better.

Martin guitars and Martin Strings are the instruments and strings of choice for musicians around the world, from the icons of rock, country, folk and bluegrass to those just beginning their careers. They can be seen across all segments of pop culture, from television (Glee, Psych, Raising Hope and American Idol) to the movies; on Broadway and in books, online, and gracing the covers of popular magazines on newsstands everywhere. Connect with Martin and Martin Strings on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube and via www.martinguitar.com and www.martinstrings.com.