GIBSON FRIENDS AND A TRIP TO NASHVILLE
After a very impulsive decision to travel to the USA, I finally did it! It all started with the “Guitars for Peace” project in 2022-23, which skyrocketed thanks to the incredible support from Gibson. This project was a dream come true—we saved hundreds of people, rescued animals, helped the elderly, and so much more. Through our collaboration, I met so many wonderful people via emails with Gibson Guitars—people like Alex Tinker, Tyson Barnaby, Elizabeth, Dandy, Jim, and countless other amazing souls! Staying in touch with these incredible people made me realize I had to meet them in person.
ARRIVAL IN THE BIG APPLE
So, I took a ten-hour flight from Barcelona to New York, spent a few days soaking in the city’s vibrant energy, and then hopped on another four-to-five-hour flight to Nashville. Despite the crazy jet lag, the moment I stepped off the plane, I was greeted by something unforgettable—the CARPET! According to Alex Tinker, if you take a picture of any piece of that carpet and send it to any Nashvillian, they’ll recognize it instantly. BNA airport is carpeted! I was absolutely thrilled by this quirky detail.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF NASHVILLE
My jet-lagged brain struggled to process the cultural differences as I headed to the restroom before leaving the airport. Having lived in the northern US, studied around Boston, and spent most of my life in Ukraine and Spain, the sight of cowboy hats, horse-riding boots, and large belts left me awestruck. I loved it! I asked a gentleman in the restroom, “Are you an artist or something, or is it an everyday dress-up?” He replied, “Is it your first time in Nashville?” I said, “Yes.” He said, “Welcome to the South, son!”
Stepping out of the airport, the humidity hit me like I was sitting on top of a boiling kettle steam. And the cars! Large trucks, pickups with US flags behind them, and everyone dressed as a cowboy. I fell in love with Nashville immediately. [Oh and yes – Luggage pick-up in BNA is Gibson’s showcase!]
MEETING THE LOVELIEST MAN ON EARTH
The next day, I took a small walk around the city and finally met the loveliest man on earth, Alex Tinker. Now, you need to know, Alex is the type of person that if you ask anyone in Nashville, they’ll tell you he’s the best. A man of God, kind, pure-hearted, a true friend, and a good husband. Alex took me to try Nashville hot chicken, a must-try delicacy. He kindly ordered two out of five hot for me and four out of five hot for himself. But he didn’t realize he started eating my two-out-of-five boneless chicken while I was tearing up eating the four-out-of-five! He’ll find out by reading this blog though! He showed me the Batman building and some secret spots around Nashville. That night, I fell in love with Nashville and its hospitality, all thanks to Alex. His kindness is something I’ll never forget.
THE GENTLE GIANT: TYSON
The next day, I met Tyson. From what I’ve heard, Alex works on Tyson’s team. Tyson gave me a firm greeting right at the crossroads of the main street on Broadway. We spent all day talking, enjoying our drinks, enjoying live shows, walking on Broadway, talking about our pets, houses, countries, food, and music. Tyson is the kind of man who should be an idol for everyone! Extremely smart, gentle, kind, true, and real. We took a selfie on the rooftop of one of Broadway’s bars, which you’ll probably find somewhere down this post. And mark my words, I’m traveling back to Nashville just for Alex and Tyson. These people are like my family, like the relatives I needed all my life.
EXPLORING GIBSON GARAGE
Now, it’s time for the Gibson Garage. I said to my friend Amanda from Orange County that I’m heading to the garage (I call her Serbian but she’s not Serbian at all—I just like to annoy her sometimes). Amanda is a great friend of mine, a luthier, custom shop painter, and multifunctional genius who does pedals, guitars, and amps. She connected me with this nice photographer who works at Gibson Garage, Hannah. Hannah is a lovely person, kind of shy and very kind. We talked about cameras, and I think it was the next day when Hannah showed me the Musician’s Hall of Fame. Don’t tell me it’s not Southern hospitality—it’s so kind of these people to take their time. I attended Hannah’s DJ set in a bar one of those nights. Such a talented person, very kind. That’s also where I met Matt Boyer, Cody Sanders, and many more amazing people. Matt told me about some amazing gardens in Nashville and some perfect places to visit.
THE HOLY GRAIL: GIBSON USA FACTORY
Next day, the day dreams come true! I dressed up and took a taxi to TN3712 (I think that’s the zip code—I’m not even going to google it; I believe I know it by memory because I had the idea of having it tattooed). Yes, that’s the Gibson USA factory! A few minutes waiting at the door, and BOOM! Jim DeCola is there! JIM D E C O L A. Incredible! That hug, those talks—Jim showed me every piece of the factory. That man is so talented you can’t even imagine. He is the history of guitar! A true legend, showing me everything from a World War pressing machine (not sure if I’m allowed to say that) to those miraculous ES woods, flame tops, the smell of paint, lacquer, those heavenly Les Pauls flying on top of the factory, going to be boxed and sent to their owners. You can never imagine those feelings and those moments. As a five-year-old kid who dreamed of having a Gibson, to actually being in Gibson and watching how it’s built—it was the inner child inside me jumping like crazy. Jim is a kind, great gentleman, with passion, art, craftsmanship, and as he calls it, craftory. Showing me his favorite guitars (no spoilers here, I’m not going to tell you what they are). Every step in the Gibson factory was worth every second of my life! Literally! Those moments are forever imprinted in my mind.
MEETING CESAR AND THE VAULT EXPERIENCE
From there, a taxi to Gibson Garage with my guy Jacob (from the Custom Shop). Jacob is a very nice guy—talented, with the right morals, handsome, kind, a good friend to sit and drink with, have a cigar, talk, play, and enjoy days with. We went to Gibson Garage where I was meeting Cesar. Yep, Cesar Gueikian, Gibson’s CEO. Now, ladies and gentlemen, my usually calm self for the first time became stressed. That day was too much information and too many dreams coming true, and my inner child was literally shaking! When I met Cesar, I loved him! Cesar is someone everybody compliments. The new CEO who brought Gibson back to life. If I’m not wrong, he has Argentinian and Armenian roots—extremely talented, passionate, a legend, a great father, husband, and the guardian angel of all Gibson lovers! Cesar asked if I wanted to see the vault, and I said sure. I wasn’t prepared to see Mark Agnesi, Reverb guys, the backstage, Mary Ford & Les Paul’s guitars, first ever Gibson acoustic and… . And okay, here’s the story: I was really stressed for the first time in my life. Why? I don’t know. But I was very stressed! I texted Cesar later that day, telling him how I felt. It was millions of my dreams coming true ALL IN ONE DAY! I was so happy that day—the best day of my life because of all these people.
Cesar, if you’re reading this, thank you for everything you’ve done for Gibson and for all of us. Your leadership, passion, and kindness have made dreams come true for so many. You’ve brought life back to a beloved brand and inspired countless people, including me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
CONCLUSION: A JOURNEY TO CHERISH
And that, my friends, was my whirlwind adventure in the USA. From a spontaneous decision to travel to meeting the most incredible people and seeing my dreams come true—it was an experience I’ll cherish forever. I can’t wait to go back and make more memories. Until then, I’ll be dreaming of Nashville, of guitars,
