Celebration of Tom Morrell's life April 15 at Pearl's.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 7 May 2007 6:45 pm

Mike, I don't mean to suggest it should go to the Country Music Hall of Fame, just that the experience of donating another instrument to that museum taught us a thing or two we'd like to be sure you're aware of before dealing with any museum, including the Autry.

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 8 May 2007 10:28 am

There are so many instruments in museums that are never seen by the public. So what is the point then of donating. Instruments are made to be played. I have Curly Chalker's MCI and have been asked to donate it. I won't because it will end up in a storage room somewhere and never be seen much less get played. Tom's Bigsby is being seen and played, as it should be IMHO. I hope I have the honor of playing it again someday.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 8 May 2007 10:35 am

...it will end up in a storage room somewhere and never be seen much less get played

Exactly right, Johnny. And this is the problem we had (and still have) with Shot Jackson's Sho~Bro at the CMHOF.

Steve Alcott · Post by **Steve Alcott** » 8 May 2007 10:35 am

Right on, Johnny-it kills me to see a perfectly functional instrument hanging on a wall. I understand the concept of preserving old instruments in their original condition, but a players instrument should be played unless it's too fragile to be used. Even Paganini's violin is pulled out and played once a year.

Mike Black · Post by **Mike Black** » 8 May 2007 11:56 am

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 8 May 2007 12:38 pm

Mike, Joan is putting me up for adoption. Seriously, someone will want that guitar (myself for one) and any proceeds can be left to your favorite charity in yours and/or Tom's name. The guitar is yours to do with as you wish. If a Steel Guitar Hall of Fame ever gets built that would be the place for these treasures. I personally don't ever see that happening.