Thanks to our friend, Kevin Mac, who joined me for the announcement at Sirius XM in Nashville

Murfreesboro’s Gallagher Guitar Company Receives International Bluegrass Music Association’s Distinguished Achievement Award

The 61-year-old guitar maker — builder of Doc Watson’s legendary “Ol’ Hoss” — will be honored at the IBMA Awards in Chattanooga this October

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (July 24, 2026) — The International Bluegrass Music Association has named Gallagher Guitar Company a recipient of its 2026 Distinguished Achievement Award, one of the highest honors in bluegrass music. The award recognizes individuals and organizations whose work has broadened the recognition and accessibility of bluegrass music worldwide. The announcement was made Wednesday during a live broadcast from SiriusXM studios in Nashville.

Founded in Wartrace, Tennessee in 1965 by master furniture maker J.W. Gallagher, the company earned its place in music history when guitarist Doc Watson made Gallagher his instrument of choice. Watson’s first Gallagher — affectionately known as “Ol’ Hoss” — became one of the most recognized guitars in American roots music. For decades, J.W. and his son Don Gallagher built instruments by hand for players around the world.

Today, the company operates from its workshop in Murfreesboro, where owner David Mathis and his wife Reina revived the business after purchasing it in 2019 and reopening it in Murfreesboro in 2020. The shop builds roughly 200 guitars per year with the same hand-made craftsmanship the Gallagher family established six decades ago.

“This is an unexpected honor from IBMA, and it reflects the rich heritage and goodwill that Don Gallagher and Doc Watson created over the years, as well as the support we have felt to continue this story of an American guitar company. We are full of gratitude to IBMA and the bluegrass community,” said David Mathis, owner of Gallagher Guitar Company.

The Distinguished Achievement Award will be presented at the 37th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards on October 22 at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, during IBMA’s World of Bluegrass week.

About Gallagher Guitar Company
Gallagher Guitar Company has handcrafted acoustic guitars in Tennessee since 1965. Its instruments have been played by Doc Watson and generations of acoustic musicians. The company builds approximately 200 guitars per year in its Murfreesboro workshop. Learn more at gallagherguitar.com.

Media Contact:

DavidMathis@GallagherGuitar.com

615-624-4196

 Interviews, shop tours, and high-resolution photography available on request.