As a kid growing up in North Carolina I used to watch the masterful and gifted guitarist Doc Watson. We grew up not far from Doc’s home in Deep Gap in the northwest
mountains
of NC. I would always get a seat on the side of the stage as close to
‘ol Doc as I could and laser my vision on his hands and listen to his
guitar and the rich beautiful tones that swirled about the stage and
watch the
fireworks commence. As time went on we eventually became
acquainted and the Carter Brothers have done many shows with him since
then. Doc played, and still
does play, J.W. Gallagher & Son
Guitars. The instrument was dubbed ‘Ol Hoss’ by Doc and became
synonymous and almost as famous as Doc himself. This was in the late
1960’s when he played his first Gallagher, then a fledgling
business
making totally hand crafted guitars. I used to stand backstage with Doc
sometimes and always wanted to reach out, grab ‘Ol Hoss’ and play that
beautiful thing. I probably could have done that too but I was to
shy(if you can believe that) and in awe of the great man. He never
offered and I never asked. The guitar was retired a few years ago and
has done time at the Smithsonian and the Country Music Hall of Fame. It
is now back, sitting in a little dusty climate controlled room at the
Gallagher shop in a magical little
village named Wartrace, TN
(pop. 476). This is where the Gallagher family has been making world
class custom hand made instruments for three generations. Some even
refer to the guitars as the Stradivarius of acoustic guitars!.

Yesterday,
Thursday March 12 2009 I was standing alone in that dusty little room
in the dusty but immaculate shop in Wartrace playing ‘Ol Hoss’. It was
kind of like an out of
body experience is the only way I can
describe it. I was just recently blessed, from out of left field, to
have Stephen Gallagher offer me an artist endorsement deal to design my
very own ‘Danny Reid Carter Signature’ model instrument. I was down
there checking on the progress of the guitar. I was spellbound holding
the body in my hand(they’re building two indentical) as I looked around
the shop at only five artisans working on guitars in the different
stages of construction…and it is true folks, these things are made
totally built and tuned by hand. I designed my guitar a couple of
months ago with Stephen(beautiful person and has become a great
friend). I chose the Doc Watson
model that has been in their
catalogue for many years as the basic design. A custom Dreadnaught and
a perfect replica of ‘Ol Hoss’, easily the best sounding instrument
they make.
I added scalloped bracing on the inside, an ‘invisible’
armrest, tortoise shell binding and a totally custom mother-of-pearl
inlay on the fretboard reflecting my obsession with outer space and the
planetary system. The sides and back are African mahogany, the top is Sitka spruce while the neck is a solid piece of Honduran rosewood with ebony finger board. I did not stray far from ‘Ol Hoss’ for the
basics.
My brother Tim, who also signed a deal, brought home a brand new Doc
Watson model a few weeks ago we were down designing my guitar. My
friend George Harper came along for the ride yesterday and videotaped
everything along with me and Tim’s friend, business partner and
president of our Tree O Records music label Brian Budzinski. When you
ever see the video(it will be posted soon after editing at different
locations) you may notice my hovering about 2 inches off the floor as I
was introduced the super talented craftsmen in the shop and into the
dusty little climate controlled room where ‘Ol Hoss’ and other guitars
that are in the last stages of completion live. My heart was beating
pretty fast as I thought of my instrument being in there beside Doc’s
as it cures out forfinal touches. Man, unreal!....

While Tim and myselfendorse some really fine internationally known instrument makers and other
music
related companies this day will live deep in my heart forever. My
signature model will be ready in about six more weeks and Gallagher
will have it permanently in their catalogue starting this summer 2009.
I’ll also be representing Gallagher Guitars as a home dealer out of our
Tree O Studios here in our home, the magical TreeHouse. I am humbled
and at the same time so honored and blessed at my good fortune. It
really is a dream come true. ....

Thanks to all of our Carter Brothers
friends and fans across the planet and Much Love and Peace To Us All…!

Danny....