Fred Paul Hedges

Fred Paul Hedges (March 27, 1921-June 19, 1999) was a master guitar builder and guitar teacher from Nashville Tennessee. Hedges designed and built machines to mass produce acoustic guitars for both the Grammer and Gower guitar companies in Nashville during the mid to late 1960's. Originally from Ewing, Illinois, Freddie Paul Hedges was a long time friend of Grand Ole Opry star Billy Grammer who hired Hedges to help establish Grammer's newly formed guitar company. Before moving to Tennessee in 1962, Hedges was a machinist and labor union leader in southern Michigan where he developed the necessary skills to organize and operate a manufacturing business. While living in Tennessee, Fred Hedges founded two companies. In the mid 1960's Hedges established an industrial engraving business which specialized in the manufacturing of guitar parts. In 1974 Hedges started a retail music store located in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Fred Hedges is credited for hundreds of people learning to play the guitar and other stringed instruments in Nashville, Tennessee, which is commonly called "Music City USA."

References

1. ^York, Max (October 26, 1975). "New Life for Guitaring". In "The Tennessean Sunday Magazine". pp. 6-7.