Beech Tree News Network

Martin Masters- I started playing acoustic guitar in 1994 with an Oscar Schmidt.  I soon shifted to the legendary Martin brand.  I’m in good company. Seth Avett of the Avett Brothers has been playing a Martin for 12 years.  You can learn more about the rich musical heritage of Seth’s home of North Carolina at www.martinguitar.com/seth
Star of The Office as well as the Hangover franchise, Ed Helms’ profane songs are some of the most hilarious standout moments in the blockbuster movie franchise.  But, his love for bluegrass music and his commitment to mastering its intricacies give him some serious cred.
To anyone like me who is familiar with Helms’ career, his secret life as a guitarist isn’t really much of a secret.  He performed on the Office many times and busted out the Billy Joel classic “Allentown” in The Hangover.  Music is far from just comedy fodder for Helms.  He is one-third of the bluegrass combo The Lonesome Trio.  He is also the co-founder and organizer of the L.A. Bluegrass Situation, a multi-day festival held at the famed Largo at the Coronet Theatre in Los Angeles.  Over its three-year run, the festival has hosted some of the biggest names in bluegrass music, from Punch Brothers to Sean and Sara Watkins to Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.  Last year, the closing ceremony was Lonesome Trio with special guest (and banjo extraordinaire) Steve Martin. Helms has been playing guitar most of his 39 years.  He already had piano and guitar learned in high school.  Talk about talented!
Eric Clapton, a huge guitar hero of mine, has a love affair with his Martin 000-size guitars that started in the late ‘70’s when he purchased numerous Martins while on tour in the States. One of the first 000 Martin’s Clapton acquired was a 1968 000-28.  Hugh Laurie (star of House) started playing guitar at age 16.  He’s performed on Leno and Letterman.  He’s very good.  Keifer Southerland plays a Gibson guitar.  I wanted to throw one in that wasn’t a Martin, so as to not discriminate.  I did find that Martin seems to be the dominant choice. 
Those are just a few actors who play guitar.  It makes sense when you think about it; they’re artists who express their creativity in a variety of different ways.  The majority of the individuals I’ve mentioned here are writers as well.  Does this mean that I should take up acting? I think I’ll just stick to writing and playing guitar. The magazine that inspired this article is Guitar Aficionado.  It’s the comedy issue with Ed Helms on the cover, if you’d like to pick it up.
Hello.  My name is Andy Sullivan.  I received my bachelor’s degree in business from Mid-Continent University in June 2009.  I began writing for beechtree in July 2009.  I enjoy writing, photography, watching basketball and football, and playing guitar.  I also write a blog that encompasses sports and entertainment, called Sports and More, at http://andyuk79.tumblr.com If you have any comments, please leave them in the space below.  Thanks for reading!