Ken Burns unveils two signed guitars from new documentary film

Ken Burns joined Dr. Robert Fisher to honor country music history by adding two signed Martin D-28 guitars to the Gallery of Iconic Guitars on Wednesday.

The guitars were signed by 76 of the artists interviewed in Burns’ 16-hour eight-part series from the Public Broadcasting Service called “Country Music,” which premieres in September.

Out of the 101 artists interviewed, 76 signed the guitars, 37 were members of the Country Music Hall of Fame and 15 have since passed away. Some of the artists that signed included Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton and Vince Gill.

“The backbone of this film is the testimony of the people who lived this music,” said Burns.

With the series, Belmont and PBS will work to reach schools to share the history of the genre with various video and lesson plans.

The guitars can be found in the Gallery of Iconic Guitars at the Lila D. Bunch Library.

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This article written by Chloe Eberhardt. Photos by Chloe Eberhardt.