Alembic Luthier performing a detail carving on a Series II custom bass in zebrawood with a purpleheart and maple neck.

A Conversation with Alembic, Legendary Custom Guitar Shop

,
Alembic has been handcrafting high-end basses and guitars in the California Bay Area for over fifty years. As part of our recent Blackwing 710 campaign, we sat down with Mica Wickersham Thomas, General Manager, to learn about the company’s…
Jerry Garcia's painting "Emerging Elephant"

Like a Note in the Air: The Visual Art of Jerry Garcia

, ,
The name Jerry Garcia is synonymous with the Grateful Dead, legendary American rock band known for their lengthy instrumental jams and loyal fan base. But Garcia's artistic talents extended far beyond his virtuosic guitar playing and distinctive…

Blackwing Music Showcase at AMERICANAFEST 2023

,
Join us at AMERICANAFEST in Nashville, TNon 9.21.23 for an intimate performance featuring Willy Tea Taylor, Johnny Irion &other special guests!

When Bob Dylan Played Caffe Lena

,
In the summer of 1961, just months after moving to New York, Bob Dylan was set to play his first out-of-town gig at Caffe Lena. With only a small repertoire of songs and little experience, by many accounts, Bob’s first performance at Caffe Lena was unremarkable. Despite a lackluster debut, Lena invited Bob Dylan back to the Caffe Lena stage in January of 1962 just a few months before the release of his debut album.

Good Folk: The Story of Caffè Lena

,
“What Lena did over a long period of time was just one of the many little modern miracles which may save the world.” - Pete Seeger In 1958, Lena Spencer moved with her husband Bill to Saratoga Springs, NY. The Spencers, originally from…

Behind Death Row’s Famous Recordings

,
Earlier this year, we teamed up with the pioneering music label, Death Row Records, to release a limited-edition Blackwing x Death Row Records pencil set and Slate notebook (sold exclusively through the Death Row website) celebrating their…

Johnny Irion and the Mastheads

,
On this Giving Tuesday, we want to highlight the inspirational work that our friend Johnny Irion has been doing to bring music education to schools in his community. With support from the Blackwing Foundation, Johnny has been partnering…

Guy Clark’s Songwriting Ritual

November 6th, 2021 marks Guy Clark's 80th birthday. Guy Clark was born in West Texas in 1941. He was a singer-songwriter, painter, luthier, and known as one of the most prominent figures in American music. Often referred to as "the king…
Woody and Marjorie hugging for a portrait

Woody and Marjorie Guthrie’s Legacy

May is Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month. During this month, we want to recognize the work of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America and the legacy of Marjorie Guthrie’s commitment to combating the disease after Woody’s death…

Building the Blackwing Guitar

,
We partnered with luthier and Blackwing Maker Butch Boswell of Boswell Guitars on a custom guitar build. The guitar features a Tunnel 13 redwood top, brass accents, and a special rosette that includes actual Blackwing pencils. Learn more…