Fender has launched a brand-new Nashville HQ with a star-studded ribbon-cutting event featuring some of Fender and Music City's biggest names.
It comes just a few short months after Gibson hosted a similarly glitzy opening event for its Gibson Garage in London earlier this year, with Jimmy Page, Brian May, and Tony Iommi all in attendance.
Although full details are scarce at the time of writing, key names confirmed as attending include Fender and Nashville icons such as Billy Gibbons, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Cory Wong, Brent Mason, and Jack White.
Chris Stapleton, Jon Randall, Rob McNelley, Steve Mackey and Patrick Clifford were also invited, with a social media post from another attendee, Guthrie Trapp, offering a peak into the event. There are also mentions of Chris Shiflett, Joe Glaser, Brett Papa, and Raul Malo at the event, alongside brand CEO Andy Mooney, making for an exhaustive guest list.
With so many iconic guitar players under one roof, it’s no surprise to hear that a number of the guests joined together for a jam; a moment which Trapp’s post sadly only captures in pictorial form.
“It was yet another epic evening in Music City, Guitar Town aka Nashville, Tennessee,” Trapp's post reads. “Our good friends at Fender invited us all to attend the grand event for the opening of their new headquarters in East Nashville.
“This town always has a way of reminding us often why we all still live here. There’s nowhere on the planet that these cats would be in the same room together for such a cool low-key hang. It was great to catch up with so many old friends. The adventure continues!”
The newly built HQ stands as a multi-purpose facility for the gear brand, with office, guitar-building, and artist relations spaces all on hand.
While Guitar Player awaits more details from Fender about its new premises – especially footage of the jam session – Powell, the firm behind its design and construction, has plenty to say about it.
“The first floor comes alive as a lively nerve center for artist relations,” Powell details. “This vibrant area offers artists a space to immerse themselves in Fender's extensive collection, engage in discussions about custom projects, and experiment with a diverse range of instruments.
“Designed to meld with the city's pulsating artistic energy, this new space becomes an active participant in the city's music culture, sparking inspiration in the upcoming generations of musicians.”
For a more detailed look at Fender’s new Nashville HQ, head to Powell.
