Wayne Henderson

Watch Wayne's Video

Crooked Road Luthier & Musician

A Living Legend, Wayne Henderson is The Crooked Road's Master Luthier - a man known for his Virginia-made guitars and mandolins. Henderson creates a treasured instrument that draws hundreds onto a waiting list - even the likes of Eric Clapton, who ordered two guitars - one for himself and one to auction for charity. The charity guitar commanded $31,200 in May 2006 at a Christies auction. It's the highest price ever paid for a guitar produced by a living American luthier.

Doc Watson, folk music legend and Henderson instrument owner raves, "that Henderson mandolin is as good as any I've had my hands on. And that's saying a lot, because I've picked up some good ones." The chance to possess a Henderson instrument is one that many musicians would not pass up. Nor would other craftsmen pass by the chance to learn from one of the masters ...

Gerald Anderson is not only a friend and fellow musician, he was once Henderson's pupil and is now a luthier himself. Today Anderson shares in the tradition of apprenticeship as he instructs Spencer Strickland in the ways of instrument making. Wayne Henderson is indeed a living legend. Not only his legacy, but the legacy of his mentors and the craftsmen before him, are carried on by younger generations, as is the way of Southwest Virginia artisans.

Find out about Wayne's very own music festival and guitar competition at www.waynehenderson.org!

"I'm passionate about every joint that I make or every little carving, every little whittling thing I do with my pocket knife." -Wayne Henderson