Rick Faris, the current International Bluegrass Music Association’s New Artist of the Year, is moving to Owensboro. He’ll serve as the resident luthier — a craftsman who makes and repairs stringed instruments — at the Kentucky Guitar Works at the Center for Lutherie, which will be located in the building formerly occupied by the International Bluegrass Music Museum. Faris and his company, Faris Guitar, will serve as the primary tenants.
Faris comes to Owensboro from Topeka, Kansas. His wife Nicole and their two sons, Parker and Kent, will also make the move.
“My wife and I are really looking forward to setting down roots here in Owensboro and focusing on what we build our lives around, which is bluegrass music. We can’t think of a better place to set down roots and wrap our lives around bluegrass than in a community that has done such,” Faris said.
Faris began crafting handmade guitars in 2000. Faris Guitar, which has customers worldwide, builds handmade guitars with a sound influenced by the 1930s pre-war traditions. All guitar production will now take place entirely at Kentucky Guitar Works.
“Here in Owensboro-Daviess County, it all begins with a great instrument and what better way to make a joyful noise than with a guitar made right here in the Bluegrass Music Capital of the World,” said Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum Executive Director Chris Joslin.
Joslin said Kentucky Guitar Works will be the first business in Western Kentucky that offers luthier workshops, educational sessions, and other programming specifically for those interested in making the music and the instruments of bluegrass music.
Kentucky Guitar Works will occupy the entire first floor of the 207 East Second Street property — totaling about 1,800 square feet. The building is leased through the RiverPark Center. The space will feature a gallery for an exhibition, a demonstration area, and merchandise, but the primary draw will be instrument building. There is no finalized construction timeline, but it is expected to have start-up operations in January 2024 and be open by May 2024.
Faris began performing at an early age alongside his four brothers and parents, who collectively made up the award-winning Faris Family Bluegrass Band, which toured for 12 years. After the family stopped touring, Rick was looking for a new full-time gig and he landed with the band Special Consensus. Playing mandolin and guitar for over 11 years with the band, he earned two Grammy nominations and five IBMA Awards.
Singing with Dark Shadow Recording as a solo artist, he crafted his unique bluegrass sound with his No. 1 song “Breaking in Lonesome.” His album “The Next Mountain” also climbed the charts, earning him “New Artist of the Year” at the 2022 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards.
