Amplifying Jerry Kennedy’s
1950 Martin 00-18

Music legend Jerry Kennedy has left an indelible mark as both a studio musician and the head of Mercury Records, working with such iconic artists as Roger Miller, Tom T. Hall, Elvis, Bob Dylan, Reba McEntire, and many others. As a young boy, Jerry’s mother bought him his first high quality acoustic guitar – a 1950 Martin 00-18. Unfortunately, a few months later, the guitar was seriously damaged after falling off of the roof of a car and Jerry was given a Gibson J-50 as a replacement. Fast forward to 2021, after a span of 70 years, Jerry received an unexpected phone call from a family friend, informing him that they had his “old guitar”. To his astonishment, it turned out to be true, and Jerry was reunited with his Martin.

In this LR Baggs Handcrafted Video, Jerry's son, Gordon Kennedy, takes us through the fascinating story of this extraordinary guitar. He reveals how C. F. Martin & Company meticulously brought it back to life and made it playable again. Gordon now performs with the guitar in front of audiences with the help of the new LR Baggs HiFi Bridge Plate Pickup System. We’re proud to have played a part in reviving this guitar and sharing its story with our audience.