** Update for 2021: While the original date for this event was initially set for late May 2020, at long last we are pleased to share that it has been rescheduled for October 16th and 17th, 2021. We hope to see you there! Learn more.
We are so excited to share info about the inaugural Mountain Acoustics Luthier Invitational that happened Memorial Day weekend. The first year for any big event can be dicey but organizers Chee and Sherry Ammen knocked it outta the park and then some!
The setting … the beautiful and welcoming mountain town of Burnsville, NC.
Several dozen luthiers from the southeast were invited to be a part of this event based on the quality of their craftsmanship. Handcrafted instruments on exhibit included harps, violas, banjos, dulcimers, ukuleles, guitars, fiddles and more. Learn more about all of the participating luthiers.
In addition to the two day instrument show festivities included a luthier jam Friday night (several hundred folks came by and enjoyed the entertainment), workshops on Saturday on topics from instruction on inlay to introduction to ukulele, a killer concert by guitar master Kaki King at the historic Parkway Playhouse and the first public exhibit of The Six Tenors (a Luthiers for a Cause and Ukulele Kids Club project).
Two special awards were custom designed and crafted by Mark Woodham of MW Studios. These were awarded to …
- The People’s Choice Award – Peter Robson of Robson Acoustic Guitars
- Host Luthier – Jay Lichty of Lichty Guitars
- Mark your calendars because, based on this wildly successful first-time event, plans are already underway for next year’s event happening Memorial Day weekend.
Event Organizers: Chee Ammen & Sherry Ammen
Learn more about our friends and partners: