Guitar Pulls have been around for many years and have a steep history in country music culture. Even with this storied history, many people still don’t know exactly what a guitar pull is. Cat Country 98.1 (WCTK) in Providence have been doing their best to make sure everyone knows with the inception of Stars With Guitars. Their amazing guitar pull style concert debuted last year at the Dunkin Donuts Center and is returning on March 16, 2017. This year’s lineup includes Josh Turner, LOCASH, Jon Pardi, Love and Theft, Runaway June and Ryan Follese. Cat Country’s Bob Walker (Program Director of Cat Country 98.1) and Briget D’Antonio (Director of Marketing and Promotions for Cat Country 98.1) discuss the history behind Stars with Guitars but more importantly… what is a guitar pull?
1.) For listeners/fans who might not know, what is a guitar pull?
(Bob) “A guitar-pull is a unique concert experience in which several artists are on stage at the same time telling stories, sharing laughs and playing songs – and it’s all acoustic. The unpredictable raw style of the show makes it about as pure of a country music experience as there is. There is no set list; no exploding scoreboards and no telling which artists will sing any given song. It’s amazing. BTW: We researched how it became known as a guitar-pull. Apparently in the early days of country music, there may only have been one guitar at the show and one performer would have to pull it away from another to get any time. I assure you …they all bring plenty of guitars!”
2.) What made you decide to switch up from the Snowball to Stars With Guitars?
(Briget) “Cat Country’s Snowball out-grew it’s original home, the Crown Plaza Hotel in Warwick, after 2 years. For our 3rd year, we moved to the Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston – and had four solid years there, but began to feel like we needed more space. At the final Snowball, Big & Rich suggested performing on stage with Thompson Square. In lieu of them having their separate sets, they took turns performing each other’s songs on stage together. The fans absolutely loved it, and it was one of the most entertaining Snowballs we’ve ever hosted! In 2016, we wanted to continue with the guitar-pull style show, but we realized the need for a larger venue. Dunkin’ Donuts had approached us to partner with them on a concert at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, and, shortly thereafter, ‘Stars With Guitars’ was born. It remains an acoustic charity show, with the proceeds to benefit Hasbro Children’s Hospital.”
3.) What was the process into deciding what artists you approached to take part in this event?
(Bob) “Any artist on our guitar-pull is doing what is called a “one-off.” They are leaving their current tour on a day off to play for us. We formulate a “want” list about 10 months out, then research who would be available on the date. From that list, we call and ask if they would like to play our event. Our calls and the Stars With Guitars is produced by Bob Walker and Briget D’Antonio from Cat Country and responses we get are based on relationships. An artist like LOCASH, who Cat Country broke in these parts (remember “Best Seat In The House from LoCash Cowboys), is likely to reciprocate that support even 5 years later. Once we have 2-3 artists, then we specifically look to balance out the sound and present as many types of country music as we can based on who can do the one-off.”
4.) Will there be any changes between last year’s Stars With Guitars event to this one?
(Briget) “You bet! Bob and I have a motto in everything we do: Go Big or Go Home! In 2017, we have 6 amazing acts on the Stars With Guitars lineup. We plan to have 3 acts on the stage at the same time, then take short intermission and come back with the 3 remaining acts. But our ultimate goal is a grand finale with everyone on stage at once bringing down the house with something fun. LOCASH is known for that.”
5.) Any possibility of exclusive contests for listeners to win like the one with Lindsay Ell last year?
(Bob) “Yes! Last year, Lindsay’s Coffee Hour was a big hit for some very lucky winners. While details can’t be announced until we know exactly who will be arriving at what time – everyone who has bought a ticket will be eligible to win. Being able to build these exclusive events is another cool aspect of a guitar-pull.”
6.) Can you tell us why you chose Hasbro Children’s Hospital as the beneficiary of SWG?
(Briget) “Stars With Guitars is a partnership between two Southern New England Brands – Dunkin’ Donuts and Cat Country 98.1 – committed to serving our community and giving back. The much-needed funds raised from Stars With Guitars and other Dunkin’ Brand initiatives have been used to create and produce activity books for patients, install a new play area in the pediatric ambulatory clinic, renovate the sixth floor family room, and to create a new neighborhood and family safety program. The work we do with Hasbro Children’s Hospital is some of the most rewarding of my media career. It’s hard to explain the feeling when we see the smile on the face of child who has had to live at the hospital for days, weeks even months: then they get to hang-out with a country music artist for a few minutes and it all seems okay. Let’s just say … there are never enough tissues on hand.”
7.) Lastly, anything else you feel that fans need to know about the event in March?
(Bob) “We know there are a lot of country music concerts in the area. We would not add another event unless it was different, special and unique. There are some artists who will not do guitar-pulls because the setting is so raw and real. There is nothing to hide behind. It’s a very intimate experience between the artists as they share with each other and the audience. Based on the number of calls we get asking “what exactly is a guitar-pull?” we know it is still a new concept in New England. But word is getting out as we have country music fans coming from as far as Maine and Albany, New York. Stars With Guitars is the biggest guitar-pull type event in New England, and we think it’s cool that it’s hosted right here in Providence.”
We want to thank both Bob and Briget for taking the time to speak with us and hopefully y’all now have a better understanding what a guitar pull is. Tickets for Stars With Guitars are onsale now and can be purchased at the official website here. Remember that the show is to benefit Hasbro Children’s Hospital so you get to see a great show and help support an even greater cause. Last but not least, you can follow Cat Country 98.1 (WCTK) on Facebook, and Instagram.
This article was written by NECM contributing writer, Mike Sullivan. You can follow me on Twitter and Facebook.