“American Idol” judge and country singer Luke Bryan revealed a new project years in the making: a limited-edition guitar series crafted from black walnut harvested directly from his own farm. The project is the result of a long-standing friendship and collaboration with Bourgeois Guitars.
How Bryan’s Collaboration With Bourgeois Guitars Began
More than 10 years ago, Bryan asked Bourgeois founder, Dana Bourgeois, whether black walnut could work as a tonewood for acoustic guitars. According to their official website that details the origin story of this series, Bourgeois didn’t hesitate to tell Bryan “Heck yeah.” Thus, a slow process that began on Bryan’s land turned into a decade long project.
The website continues, “Luke invited Dana to his Tennessee property, Flint Rock Farm, where the ridge above his homestead is lined with mature Eastern Black Walnut. Together, the two walked the ridge, tagged trees, and later selected choice boards at the sawmill where Luke’s timber was being processed.” After the trees from his farm were harvested, the wood was milled and left to cure in Bourgeois’ workshop for 10 years until it was ready to be transformed into instruments.
The result is the Luke Bryan Signature Series, “a limited-edition guitar that celebrates heritage, artistry, and the partnership between Bourgeois Guitars and one of country music’s biggest stars.” The limited-edition series is restricted to just 30 guitars worldwide. Each instrument is individually numbered and personally signed by Bryan.
“The Luke Bryan Signature Limited Edition is a short-scale Slope Shoulder Dreadnought handcrafted by Bourgeois in Lewiston, Maine. Built from select Eastern Black Walnut harvested on Luke Bryan’s own Flint Rock Farms, each guitar is a one-of-a-kind creation, rooted in the story of Luke’s farm.”
Every Small Detail Ties Back to Bryan’s Own Life
GettyThe personal, one-of-a-kind details that are connected to Bryan’s personal life were described on the website:
“The fingerboard features a custom mother-of-pearl antler inlay—a nod to Luke’s longtime passion for hunting and the rural traditions that inspire his music. On the headstock, a matching Flint Rock Farm emblem honors the place where this collaboration took root, tying the instrument directly to Luke’s farm and heritage.”
“‘The Luke Bryan Limited Edition celebrates our shared love of homegrown products, homegrown music, and guitars that feel deeply personal,'” said Bourgeois, as detailed in Parade. “‘These instruments began as trees on Luke’s farm. Now, after a managed harvest, Luke’s walnut will live on in the hands of players around the world.'”
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