One of Willie Nelson's significant guitars, a Baldwin, was irreparably damaged in 1969 after a concert, an unfortunate event that directly led to him acquiring his iconic Martin N-20, affectionately known as Trigger.
The Unfortunate Incident with His Baldwin
In 1969, following a performance at Floore's Country Store in Helotes, Texas, Willie Nelson's Baldwin guitar suffered a critical blow. A drunk individual accidentally stepped on the instrument, causing extensive damage that rendered the guitar beyond playability.
The Attempt to Save the Guitar
After the incident, members of Nelson's band, The Record Men—David Zettner and Jimmy Day—attempted to salvage the damaged instrument. They took the Baldwin guitar to Shot Jackson, a highly regarded luthier in Nashville, Tennessee, known for his expertise in guitar repair. However, the damage was too severe, and the guitar was ultimately deemed irreparable for professional use.
The Aftermath: Trigger's Emergence
The irreparable damage to his Baldwin guitar proved to be a turning point for Willie Nelson. This unfortunate event necessitated the search for a new instrument, which subsequently led him to purchase the Martin N-20 acoustic guitar. This new instrument, famously named Trigger after Roy Rogers' horse, would become his signature guitar, accompanying him on thousands of performances and evolving into a legendary instrument in its own right due to its distinctive sound and Nelson's unique playing style.
Key Moments in the Baldwin Guitar's Fate:
- 1969: The incident occurred after a concert at Floore's Country Store in Helotes, Texas.
- Cause: A drunk individual accidentally stepped on the guitar.
- Damage: The guitar was broken beyond playability, rendering it unusable.
- Attempted Repair: Band members David Zettner and Jimmy Day took the guitar to luthier Shot Jackson in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Outcome: The Baldwin guitar was deemed irreparable, directly leading to Nelson's acquisition of the Martin N-20, Trigger.
Here's a brief overview of the incident:
| Event Timeline | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Willie Nelson's Baldwin guitar is accidentally stepped on after a concert. | Guitar rendered unusable for professional performance. |
| Repair Attempt | Band members take the damaged guitar to luthier Shot Jackson for assessment. | Deemed irreparable by the luthier. |
| Consequence | Nelson purchases a Martin N-20, which he names Trigger, becoming his primary and iconic instrument. | A new chapter begins in Willie Nelson's musical journey. |
For more insights into Willie Nelson's musical journey and the instruments that shaped his sound, you can explore his career history on Wikipedia.
