The First Quality Music Blog

Pete Webb with the group Late for Supper stops by and visits us on a regular basis.  He was checking out one of the new Sullivan Clawhammer Jam banjos and he picked us My Old Kentucky Home.  Thanks  Pete.

Daniel Martin stopped by for a little tune up on his Bill Sullivan Recording King model banjo.  I got him to pick one for us before he left,  burn it up son! You can check out the “Bill Sullivan Recording King” tribute banjo on firstqualitymusic.com.

Good friend and Guitar picker Matt Phelps dropped into the store today, we got him to pick us a rendition of “Home Sweet Home”.   Matt’s picking his First Quality Custom Advanced Jumbo.  You can check it out a guitar like the one Matt’s playing at First Quality Music’s website.

Our friend Curtis Burch stopped by today and we asked him to fill everyone in on the 1st Annual Newgrass Festival happening just north of Bowling Green, Ky.  You can get additional information by visiting their website.

Cliff and his friend Alan Tompkins were visiting family in Southern Kentucky and drove up to hang out at the store for a visit.   Cliff took a moment to check out the Martin 000-18 Authentic in the Vault and I talked him into sitting down and pickin’ a tune with me.  You can check out Cliff’s banjos at his website.

This is me, Cliff, and Alan picking the Fire Ball Mail. 

Tim Finch and the Eastman Road Show arrives a day early to get everything set up for the First Quality Music / Eastman event.  This is sure to be one heck of an event. We thought Tim was only bringing 50 instruments but he showed up with 85! Tim has brought with him an array of instruments that he takes to shows.  We cannot post our sale pricing on our website but will have the inventory listed on firstqualitymusic.com and you can call for the details.

For those that can’t make it to our store on Saturday be sure to check out our website to see the full product list that will be available during our Eastman Day sales event!  Sales prices will be available by phone for one-day only. First come first serve, make sure and call early to get our one-day prices before they are all gone becaue  at 5:00 pm they head off to the next show.   Phones open up at 10:00 a.m.   800.635.2021

Mandolin builder Paul Duff, his wife Maria and the rest of his group Bluegrass Parkway stopped by for a visit before heading off to Lexington for their performance at the Festival of The Bluegrass.   Paul took a moment to pick us a tune on our Old Growth Gibson Master Model mandolin.  We caught our pal Nathan Livers passing through and asked him to set in with Paul and mate Donal Baylor on a jam of Gold Rush.

Bluegrass Parkway’s banjo picker Mick O’Neill was sampling some instruments in the First Quality banjo room and we caught him playing Sunflower Dance.  Give a listen.

A short time ago we had a young fellow from southern Kentucky seek us out to help him put together his very first professional banjo.  Alex Covin and his mom Stephanie stopped by to share with us the completed banjo, his new customized case and pick a couple of tunes for us.  We’re proud of Alex, enjoyed the visit, and are looking forward to seeing him on stage with that new banjo.  Good pickin’ Alex!

More photos of Alex’s Banjo in progress, click link below.

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On June 9^th Barney Hill and Andy Lund from Taylor Guitars stopped by and we had our very first Taylor Road Show. Barney and Andy brought a bevy of spectacular guitars for everyone to add to their wish list.  From Brazilian rosewood and koa bodies to vividly figured maple, the group was absolutely dazzling.  A very attentive crowd of 60+ was on hand to learn about some of Bob Taylor’s amazing guitar building innovations and to hear demonstrations of the various guitars.  A great time was had by all.  Check the Calendar of Events on the website regularly so you won’t miss the next First Quality Music – Taylor Guitars event.  

 Please see additional videos and photos

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Good friend and Customer Steve Richards was in last week checking out our Sullivan Banjo lineup, while speaking with him his Daughter In Law Chloe Richards came up in conversation as one heck of a banjo player. Today Chloe and her Husband Josh stopped back by with Steve to test drive the Sullivan Banjo prototypes. “Wow” Chloe sure can play. Her husband Josh is also one fine musician and a member of the Bluegrass Group “Blue River Bluegrass” which won the 2008 SPBGMA Band Championship. We sure enjoyed their visit and some really good Bluegrass music. I hope you’ll enjoy also!!