We’ve worked with some extraordinary musicians over RK’s tenure, and we’re proud to have them collaborating with us on development, playing and design. These RK Legacy artists are the best at their craft and we couldn’t have built the modern incarnation of RK without them.
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
Justin was one of our earliest Recording King artists, and from the beginning, he was always interested in playing a guitar that was within reach of his fans as well.
He was such a great songwriter that his guitar playing was sometimes relegated to the background, but he was a truly great player. His fingerstyle frailing covered not only the bass but the rhythm and the lead too.
We collaborated on his signature model to create a guitar that suited his playing style, highlighted his keen eye for aesthetics and affordable for anyone who loves his music. We’re really proud of our work with Justin and proud to have Recording King as part of his legacy, and him as part of ours.
PHIL LEADBETTER
Phil’s one-of-a-kind sound caught the attention of audiences all over the world, and to have his signature on a RK guitar is truly an honor. From his earliest recordings, he astounded the world with his melodic tone and vibrantly mournful style.
We worked closely together on developing his signature resonator, and Phil’s guidance helped us create a one-of-a-kind instrument with a tone perfectly suited to Phil’s style of playing. From his early days in the New South to his swan song with the All-Stars of Bluegrass, Phil created a sound and a legacy that lives on through his music.
CARL JACKSON
Grammy-award-winning musician Carl Jackson has been a part of the RK family since our early days. First cutting his teeth with Jim and Jesse, Carl rose to fame as the banjo player and right-hand man of Glenn Campbell.
As a songwriter, his songs have been recorded and performed by top artists like Campbell, Garth Brooks, Rhonda Vincent, Ricky Skaggs, Trisha Yearwood, and Emmylou Harris. Carl’s advice and support for our early banjos helped pave the way for RK to become a player in the bluegrass world, and we’re proud to call him a family member and a friend.
ERIC SCHOENBERG
Eric Schoenberg’s influence on guitar marries traditional fingerstyle playing to classic ragtime and walking basslines.
His Fingerpicking Beatles book is considered an essential text for modern fingerstyle players, and his eponymous store in Tiburon, CA stocks some of the most revered acoustic guitars in the world.
Our collaboration with him on 12-fret single and 00 guitars helped to take the RK reputation for innovation and quality to a new level.
KENNY INGRAM
Kenny Ingram’s stature was the perfect parallel to his playing in the bluegrass world. Making a major noise with Lester Flatt’s Nashville Grass and filling J.D. Crowe’s sizeable shoes in the Sunny Mountain Boys, Kenny’s playing was as big as he was.
Big K’s banjo playing took the Earl Scruggs style to a new height. His power and passion was matched by his fleet-fingered runs and 5-string fireworks, and he’s universally praised as one of the all-time greats.
We were proud to work with Kenny on developing the RK Elite banjos. His contributions helped us push the RK sound to new heights.
SONNY OSBORNE
What more is there about Sonny Osborne than hasn’t already been said? A true banjo innovator, a singular voice in bluegrass and a monster player, Sonny Osborne changed the course of music with the Osborne Brothers.
We were honored to partner with Sonny on the RK Osborne Scout, our signature instrument bearing his name. His design suggestions and high standards helped drive the Recording King sound that today’s banjo players have fallen in love with.
There won’t be another one like Sonny, and we’re proud to count him as part of the Recording King family.