Tryon, NC (Top40 Charts/ Lichty Guitars) Back in the fall of 2010 Mike Gossin, of Gloriana, commissioned a custom handcrafted guitar built by NC luthier Jay Lichty of Lichty Guitars. Brother and fellow band member Tom Gossin has a custom Lichty and it has become a favorite in their Nashville songwriting sessions. "Man, I just had to have one," said Mike. His vision was of a guitar that captures who he is as a person and musician. That vision inspired him to contact Raleigh N.C. artist Clark Hipolito (www.artcosurf.com or The Art Company at Facebook). Mike, Jay and Clark then collaborated to create Mike's dream guitar, a Lichty guitar featuring artwork by Hipolito. Award-winning luthier Jay Lichty (https://www.lichtyguitars.com) specializes in building custom acoustic guitars and ukuleles and the process starts with having the customer select the primary features and the specific set of wood they'd like from Lichty Guitars' extensive collection of domestic and exotic tonewoods. Mike chose a highly figured set of cocobolo, a Central American rosewood. In his one-man shop in Tryon NC Lichty crafted the guitar to Mike's specifications and when the time came, Hipolito arrived at the shop to apply the artwork. His design was inspired by Mike's tattoos. The three recently met up in Wilmington NC where Mike received his guitar. "My Lichty guitar is absolutely incredible! It feels beautiful to play and sounds so balanced, so phenomenal. Honestly it is the coolest guitar I have ever seen or played. I wanted this guitar to represent who I am and what I bring to the table as a musician. Between Jay's craftsmanship and Clark's artwork - man, they nailed it!" Musician, luthier and artist are all experiencing screaming success. Gloriana (www.gloriana.com) toured with Taylor Swift in 2010, had the hot single Wild at Heart go gold and have just been named by Billboard Magazine as one of the Top Country Artists - Duo/Group for 2010. Professional musicians who play Lichtys include Doug Lancio, Nashville producer and lead guitarist for John Hiatt and Patty Griffin, Jody Porter of Fountains of Wayne, solo artist Haley Dreis and Jonathan Gray, frequently on tour with William Fitzsimmons. Hipolito's artwork can been seen all over the map, from large interior design murals to musician Michael Franti's guitar to beautifully painted surfboards that include one commissioned by Grammy-winning pop star "Pink" (Alecia Moore) and one purchased by Billy Gibbons, the legendary founder and lead guitarist for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band ZZ Top. Three creative artists collaborating to make one stunning guitar, to make Mike Gossin's dream guitar.
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