New Guitar A ‘Must-See’ Attraction At Sagebrush Round-Up

Sagebrush Round-Up is currently trying to confirm that it is the largest guitar in West Virginia.

It took Sharon Wright, of Fairmont, along with her family and friends seven months to build the guitar. A week ago she donated it to the Sagebrush Round-Up in memory of her dad, Ralph Taylor, and one of her favorite Sagebrush singers, Rickey Whipple.

“The guitar is 14-feet, 3-inches in length – 5-feet and 5-inches at its widest point – and 16-inches deep,” Wright said.

Community involvement was a huge part in this project with building help and part donations from friends, family and the public.

“Once it got so big, because it weighs in between 4 and 500 pounds, we had to turn it over and everything so neighbors would come and help me. My nephew would come and help me, a few people down the road came and helped me,” Wright said. “We just had a lot of people involved.”

Wright had also received advice from a guitar builder, Roy Rolston, and Harry Vaughn from Mannington made a wooden cutout of the pick guard.

“It is a pick guard that is on a Sunburst Hummingbird guitar, which is what my dad played,” Wright said.

Others involved in helping included Fairmont Kitchen Center, Lowes and Aircraft Heating and Cooling.

“Fairmont Kitchen Center and Lowes donated wood and other items,” Wright said. “Aircraft Heating and Cooling in Baltimore made the aluminum keys, donated and delivered them to me.”

Wright said her favorite part of the process was seeing it all come together and be a successful project.

The Sagebrush Round-Up is a weekly country music show and also houses the Country Music Hall of Fame for West Virginia. It showcases a variety of country and bluegrass acts throughout the year.

“It is a great family place to go,” Wright said.

The stage is located in Bunner Ridge, exit 139 off Interstate 79. The Sagebrush Round-Up brings several visitors to the Fairmont area.

“Sagebrush Round-Up is one of our favorite attractions to promote in Marion County,” Leisha Elliott, executive director of the Marion County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said. “They not only bring to the area some very talented musicians, they also help nurture up and coming talent. They also help preserve part of our musical roots with their Country Music Museum. It is a great evening for the entire family to enjoy.”

Elliott thinks the guitar will bring more visitors to the Sagebrush Round-Up.

“Sagebrush Round-Up has a loyal following,” Elliott said. “In addition to their regular Saturday concerts, they often have several special concerts throughout the year which really bring in music fans from across the region. I think the guitar will be that little extra something to get those who have been ‘meaning’ to come but just never quite found the time.”

Elliott said the Sagebrush Round-Up is a must-see in Marion County.

“Sagebrush Round-Up is not only a great venue to hear very talented musicians, they are also a great group of people to work with,” she said.