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Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2009 > August > 23 > Entry

Luckenbach enters record book for guitar jam

Courtesy of Gibson Guitars

In 2007, 1,802 Germans played “Smoke On the Water” in unison to enter the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest recorded guitar ensemble. That record was topped Sunday afternoon at Luckenbach, when 1,859 pickers played “Luckenbach, Texas” and “This Land Is Your Land.”

1,859 guitar players in one spot- and it wasn’t an Eric Johnson concert!

The “Pickin’ For the Record” event was organized by the Voices of a Grateful Nation, a support group for American soldiers and veterans, whose Welcome Home Project was the beneficiary.

Pickers paid $10 each, but they received a t-shirt commemorating their participation. The guitar army also played Gary P. Nunn’s “London Homesick Blues,” also known as “I Wanna Go Home With the Armadillo.”

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By Clutch

August 23, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this

Shame Marge wasn’t still with us.

By Smokey

August 23, 2009 8:03 PM | Link to this

“1,859 guitar players in one spot- and it wasn’t an Eric Johnson concert!” Now that’s funny. I love EJ’s playing, but the worst thing about his shows is looking around at the 95% of the crowd who are middle-aged guitar hero wannabes and realizing I’m one of them. :-)

By Scott Gerhardt

August 23, 2009 9:29 PM | Link to this

What a rush!! This article doesn’t mention it, but we first played “Luckenbach” with Roger Creager leading everyone. Prior to that Gary P. Nunn warmed the pickers up with “Redneck Mother and “London Homesick Blues” . Every flavor of guitar and player were there-my highlight was seeing a little girl whose guitar was as tall as she was, playing away in her oversized Luckenbach T-shirt and red cowboy boots…Priceless!!!!!

By Abbey, Luckenbach Texas

August 24, 2009 12:16 AM | Link to this

Luckenbach Texas set the record with 1859 players playing the Luckenbach song for 6.48 minutes. Lead by Roger Creager, Monte Montgomery and Dow Patterson. This Land is Your Land was also played with the crowd, lead by Jimmy LaFave and Sam Baker.

Monte Montgomery played a Les Paul donated to Voices by Gibson. Monte performed a tribute with Star Spangled Banner and Little WIngs. Other performers on stage included Gary P Nunn, Doug Moreland,Mark Jungers, Walt Wilkins, John Greenberg, Matt Powell, Jeff Plankenhorn, John Inman, Jamie Oldaker, Roger Creager’s band - “The Record Breakers”

Thanks to everyone for keeping Texas Music LIVE, LOUD and WORLD WIDE

By Bill Starrett

August 24, 2009 8:24 AM | Link to this

Anyone bring a tuner?

By Michael William Harrison

August 24, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this

Didn’t need any tuners - hearts were all in tune and movin’ right along together.
A rather emotional, non-political gathering which I was very happy to have been involved in. Ran into some friends down there, too; and, there were folks from many other states and a foreign country or two thrown in as well. Much fun! Cheers,…………….mwh

By Jeremy Price

August 24, 2009 10:41 AM | Link to this

1,859 guitars playing at one time “awesome”. Even though I cant play a lick on the guitar I couldnt miss this. My Harley knows the way to Luckenbach, and makes the three hour trip often. There was no dispute on whether or not to go this time, and I was not disapointed. Even as a spectator and not a participant there was a great sense of Texas pride at this historic event. “Luckenbach definately did Texas proud!”

By Taff

August 24, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this

What a fun time….!! Will do this event anytime they plan it… Peace, Love, and Texanism, was in the air that day!

By JMAC

August 24, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this

Gary P. Nunn perfectly described the scene at Luckenbach yesterday: “The friendliest people and the prettiest women you’ve ever seen.” There was no shortage of either and everyone had a great time for a great cause breaking the world’s record. Kudos and many thanks to the good folks from Luckenbach, the KFF, Voices of a Grateful Nation, and all the volunteers that pulled the event together. It’s people like you that make Texas a perfect place to live.

By Wandean

August 24, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this

It was truly a spiritual experience yesterday in Luckenbach. It made me so proud to be a Texan! Thanks to everyone, especially the volunteers, for a great job. God Bless Texas!!!

By Shawna

August 24, 2009 12:40 PM | Link to this

I had a blast! This was one of the most awesome events I have ever been to! When “Luckenbach, Texas” was played I had chills the whole time! Even if there wasn’t a record set, this was a beautiful thing to witness and be apart of. And as Scott mentioned earlier, that little girl is one of the many fond memories of that day, and always will be. I love this place every time I go but Sunday, August 23rd, 2009, was one of the best times of my life!

By Texas Angel

August 24, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this

Wow…doesn’t even describe the sight at Luckenbach yesterday! I freqent Luckenbach and have experienced a handful of “magic” moments out there. This was truly a “magical” day…an experience! If you were one of the lucky ones to have been there, you were history in the making, with no doubt stories of your own to share!!

By Peggy Dillard

August 24, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this

Sunday was a truly inspirational day! To see more than 3,000 people gathered for a good cause and playing beautiful music together in unison, “Awsome”. I’m happy to be a part of it. Everyone was having fun, including young and old. Luckenbach is a great Texas landmark.

By KS Fulwood

August 24, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this

A great time was had by all and for a good cause! I lost my uncle in 2009 to Cancer but I took and played his old Gibson guitar in homage to him and and all the people serving our country. Gus Grissom lives on. Thank you to Luckenbach and all the folks who made the event a success! WHAT AN EXPERIENCE

By Greg Forest

August 24, 2009 3:29 PM | Link to this

What a great day. Like a high school homecoming for Texas guitar slingers. The scale of the event is not represented in the photos - it was really huge! A great day. A great cause.

I notified the German ex-record holders that they have their work cut out for them today.

Loud and Proud.

By Greg Forest

August 24, 2009 3:30 PM | Link to this

Kudos to Dalis and Abbey! Gurlz, YOU RULE!!!

By Robert, Ginger and Cody

August 24, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this

We were in the back at the top of the hill looking down on 1859 pickers. It was an ocean of white shirts, hats, and guitars. A truly amazing site. A memorable experience. There was so much talent. Every time I tried to see the end of the white shirts they just kept going. It was so hot but the snow cone really hit the spot. We played with our good friend Cody who is also a veteran. It was a great honor to play with him and know that we did it for a great cause. This was our first trip to Luckenbach but not our last. We will be back.

By jefro

August 24, 2009 5:14 PM | Link to this

I was there and played.

My only regret is that the great Les Paul wasn’t honored with even a single tune of his. I would have let out a tune or two of his in Les Paul’s style.

By MaryK

August 24, 2009 10:07 PM | Link to this

I was #1,735 and got there before 11 AM, so there were probably more than 2000. And no, not everybody was in tune. But despite my normal “Tune it or die!” attitude, I was good with that.

By Donna

August 24, 2009 10:35 PM | Link to this

I lost 5 lbs waiting but had an awesome time! It is undescribable unless you were there! Oh yeah! Love, peace, and harmony!

By Gary Sisson

August 25, 2009 6:39 AM | Link to this

Not much to add to what’s been said. I, too, am a veteran, and I work for the Veterans Affairs. I was there with my wife (#s 298 & 299), my son, my daughter-in-law and my grandson. We all registered and played! There were actually people perched in the trees playing along! It was an unforgettable experience, and interesting that we broke the record in a town with a German name! God Bless Texas!

By Lydia

August 25, 2009 7:06 AM | Link to this

Yea it was great! My first time to play with anyone and I did it with 1858 of my closest friends.

By Kelli Holmes

August 25, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this

WOW! I am the curator for the West Texas Music Hall Of Fame and we participated in this event on Sunday. We took one of our collection guitars and got hundreds of signatures from participants and performers…It was an INCREDIBLE event. We are honored to have been included and met the absolute nicest people. We support ALL Texas music through education and preservation! GREAT JOB EVERY ONE!

By Gary Alford

August 25, 2009 2:35 PM | Link to this

What a kick! I’ve been playing guitar for over 40 years and this was the best time I’ve ever had. Thanks to all the 1859 “pickers” and the organizers of the event. Special thanks to Doug Moreland, Gary P. Nunn and Josh Owens for showing up at the Fredericksburg Inn and Suites Saturday night (and Sunday morning) to pick some oldies with us. Three of the nicest gentleman you would ever want to meet. Also, thanks to the “Munster” bunch for getting Saturday night going. See y’all next time.

By Scott

August 25, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this

Man…nothin but pure joy! Wish we could do it every year but it wouldn’t be the same. Once in a lifetime event. More deep Luckenbach and Texas History and only 1859 people can say they are World Record Holders! This was SO SWEET!!!!! It doesn’t get any better than this! Thanks to Luckenbach and all the workers! It was PERFECT! SON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By musicbox

August 25, 2009 3:43 PM | Link to this

I stood next to a young fellow in his 20’s. He asked me what was so special about this place called Luckenbach? After the record was set he knew, holding his arm out covered with goosebumps! He now is one of the proud that will always feel the power and will want to come back again and again to this small patch of land with a big heart.

By Carol

August 25, 2009 4:16 PM | Link to this

I was there with my Mom, my Aunt (her twin sister) and my cousins and friends. The following day my Mom and Aunt celebrated their 75th bday. It was incredible. I hadn’t played in so long but for this Texas family event I practiced. The sore fingers were definately worth participating in the experience. Even rode my Harley up there with the guitar strapped to it. What a great day!! The did have over 2000 register but not everyone showed up. Luckily the diehards who didn’t pre-register showed up and that took us over the old record. Way to go Texas! You made me proud to be among the pickin crowd!

By JOHNBOY

August 26, 2009 5:12 PM | Link to this

What a great experience I had Sunday at Luckenbach. I crossed two things off of my bucket list( broke a world record & played in Luckenbach). And helped the brave soldiers who protect my freedoms everyday. Thanks

By Rob

August 26, 2009 6:28 PM | Link to this

Everybody was somebody, Sunday at the ‘Bach. Was a great honor to help support our troops and break a world record. Everyone had chicken skin. Saw a few tears, also. Thought the “Statesman’s” coverage was weak. Thanks to all who participated.

By Tom

September 2, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this

Too hot, too long a walk, should have had a shuttle to bring people back and forth. Nothing for handicapped/disabled ones like me who have a hard time. I made it but was holding my breath that I wouldn’t fall out. Barely saw any pickers anybody would recognize. I guess they were smart and stayed at home. Was disrespected by at least 2 persons involved in the event for asking questions. Sad!

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