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Home > Music

No strings on this couple’s Georgia Hall honor

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Monday, September 15, 2008

Seven new names will be added to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Saturday, two of whom we’re taking note of today.

And the inductees are…

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Jerry Burns

Fred and Dinah Gretsch said their hall of fame honor was a surprise.

Fred and Dinah Gretsch

Why they are being honored: As president and CFO of the Savannah-based The Gretsch Company, they run one of the best-known drum and guitar makers — ever. Look closely and you may have spotted Beatle George Harrison or pop-rocker Sheryl Crow playing one of their instruments.

What they have to say about it: “We’re certainly pleased and honored to be receiving the [Mary Tallent] ‘Pioneer’ Award, because we’ve loved promoting music and music education,” Fred says. “And it’s a wonderful compliment to be picked as a couple. Not to mention, as we celebrate our 125th anniversary [of The Gretsch Company], we view this honor as a grand way to start our next 100 years.”

“It’s a great honor and a big surprise,” adds Dinah, who works with the hall. “I’m not on the committee to pick inductees though. So yes, it really was a surprise.”

What may surprise you about them: Neither one currently plays an instrument. “When I came up in the music business, that was they heyday of the accordion,” Fred said. “I chose to play the trumpet … and that was a long time ago. I’m gonna get back to it though.”

Map it & review it: The 30th Annual Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Show

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