THE 5TH ANNUAL TENOR GUITAR GATHERING HEADED FOR ASTORIA, OREGON—-What's the BIG deal about these little guitars?

Most people don’t even know about the four-string cousin of the six-string guitars that seem to dominate the world of music, but Mark Josephs intends to change all that. He’s the president of the Tenor Guitar Foundation, and he wants to invite you to a party. The Tenor Guitar Gathering he started in Astoria, Oregon, in 2009 is now five years old and better than ever.

The 5th Annual Tenor Guitar Gathering (TGG5 for short) takes place June 5-8, 2014 in that same scenic northwest corner of the state. The event includes four evenings of concerts by over a dozen tenor guitar virtuosos from all over the country and two days of workshops. Build your own cigar box guitar. Enjoy a fiddle jam finale on Sunday night. Learn Nick Reynolds tuning (taught by son, Josh Reynolds). You can play music on The Trolley and radio station KMUN, and more. You don’t even have to know how to play tenor guitar; all instruments are welcome. 

Collage of all of the performers (from left to right); CARL ALLEN, THE LION SONS, STEPHEN SCHAUER, EZ MARC POSCHMAN, JEAN MANN, TOM MOLYNEAUX, MARK JOSEPHS, PAT MAC SWYNEY, TIM MAY, PROF DOUGLAS FARSER, JOHN LAWLOR, ERICH SYLVESTER

So just what IS the big deal anyway? Josephs, a fine musician himself, answers that question. 

“The big deal is the big full sound and the beautiful orchestral voicings,” he says. “What started out with me as a mild curiosity about the instrument has blossomed into a much greater appreciation. The more I learn about the instrument and get to know some of the people who play them, the more enthusiastic I get.” 

He says the same thing happens to people who attend his event. Once they discover it, they return year after year. Most tenor players live in a vacuum. It’s exciting to get together with others who love this often overlooked instrument, perfect for those who don’t like to just follow along with the crowd. 

“That's part of the charm of being a tenor guitar player,” Josephs stresses. “Not everyone plays one ... yet! It's still a novelty, a rarity. Tenor guitar players want to meet others who share their passion for the instrument, and the general public has a growing curiosity about these little guitars.” 

Tenor Guitar Gatherers from last year's Gathering at the end of "Playing on The Trolley"
which has become a yearly tradition.

He thinks it’s only a matter of time before Astoria becomes the undisputed, official, tenor guitar capital of the world. He compared it to the beach town in Southern California that was legally granted the title of “Surf City.” Time will tell, but Joseph doesn't consider that notion any more outlandish that his original idea of a Tenor Guitar Gathering. Now it’s five years old and better than ever. This year it features over a dozen world class players. 

“They’re making the long trek to the holy city of Astoria, to witness the four day tenor guitar extravaganza, the only one of it's kind anywhere,” Josephs says, “and that is pretty much the draw.” 

Feeling drawn? For details go to the Tenor Guitar Foundation's website. Or, check the event's Facebook page. And while you're at it, please visit the Facebook page for Good Life Northwest. I hope you will "like" them both. Thanks!

All photos provided by Mark Josephs and used with permission.