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.”
Here we have #47 of 50 from the 2nd Ltd Edition of Pete's OM from Collings. It's got a few marks on the back (they don't break the finish), and the lightest of playing wear otherwise. For all of us who loved and miss Pete, this is a fine instrument to own.
