From Collings:Pete Huttlinger loved fly fishing almost as much as he loved playing guitar, and now, we have blended Pete’s two loves into one special edition OM. Some proceeds from each guitar will benefit The Pete Huttlinger Fund for Adult Congenital Cardiac Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and it is the second edition in a line of collectible Pete Huttlinger models that Collings has built for one of our most beloved artists. Pete passed away on January 15, 2016 from a stroke, a complication of his congenitally affected heart.
Pete’s interest in fly fishing goes all the way back to 1995 when he released his debut album, Catch & Release, the title track of which was used for many years as the theme for ESPN’s “Fly Fishing America.” He commented once in reference to listening to the album, “It takes me to certain places – a beautiful river, a nice hike, a good beer and wings joint, or a great drive through the country to get to one of those places.”
Pete, along with his wife Erin, also hosted the Pete Huttlinger Guitar & Fly Fishing Camp in Livingston, Montana in 2014 and 2015. In 2017, Erin agreed to reactivate the popular music camp and has done so faithfully ever since.
The idea for the limited edition model was suggested to Collings by Pete’s long-time cardiologist and friend Dr. Frank Fish soon after Pete passed away. Dr. Fish tended to Pete’s rare health issues for over 15 years and became a champion for him. He even walked the Country Music Half Marathon with Pete in 2012, exactly one year after Pete had a life saving Ventricular Assist Device implanted into his heart. “Time and time again, Pete displayed a lust for living,” comments Dr. Fish. “He lived far beyond his expected limitations rather than letting himself be defined by them.”
