The Journey of the Sunflower Guitar – Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine by Linda Manzer

The Guitar's Journey

The hearts on the map show where the guitar has been so far on its long and winding journey to Ukraine.

The guitar is currently back in Linda’s workshop, awaiting a moment when it can be safely delivered to Ukraine. In 2022 the guitar went on a North American tour. Here’s that journey in reverse order (most recent places first):

October 28 – Toronto ON

Here, signing the Sunflower Guitar’s distinctive case, is producer, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Daniel Lanois.

October 22 – Woodstock NY

Here, signing the Sunflower Guitar’s distinctive case, is guitarist Tim Farrell. (Tim is one of only four artists to be honored as one of the 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists who has also won Best Instrumental in the International Acoustic Music Awards.)

October 22 – Woodstock NY

Here’s the Sunflower Guitar in the hands of innovative fingerstyle guitarist Yasmin Williams.

October 22 – Woodstock NY

Here’s the Sunflower Guitar in the hands of multi-instrumentalist and three time Grammy-winning producer Larry Campbell.

October 20 – Woodstock NY

Here’s the Sunflower Guitar in the hands of innovative instrument designer Ned Steinberger.

October 20 – Woodstock NY

Here’s the Sunflower Guitar in the hands of the legendary Richard Hoover of Santa Cruz Guitars.

October 7 – Los Angeles CA

Here’s the Sunflower Guitar in the hands of the uber-talented John Legend.

October 7 – Los Angeles CA

Here’s the Sunflower Guitar in the hands of K-Pop guitarist, producer, and first Korean on the Rock Walk of Fame Se-Hwang Kim.

October 7 – Tarzana CA

Here’s the Sunflower Guitar in the hands American vintage guitar dealer Norman Harris at his famous store: Norman’s Rare Guitars.

September 25 – Nashville TN

Here’s the Sunflower Guitar in the hands of legendary guitarist and multi-instrumentalist John Jorgenson.

September 25 – Nashville TN

Here is the Sunflower Guitar in the hands of legendary guitarist Tommy Emmanuel.

September 25 – Nashville TN

Here is the Sunflower Guitar in the hands of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder Jeff Hanna.

September 25 – Nashville TN

Here is the Sunflower Guitar in the hands of Cage The Elephant frontman Matt Shultz.

September 20 – Waterloo ON

Here’s the Sunflower Guitar at a whistle stop in Waterloo Ontario, in the hands of Mark Stutman of Folkway Music.

September 19 – Toronto ON

Here’s the amazing Geddy Lee of Rush with Linda Manzer.

September 13 – Toronto ON

Here’s Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in the hands of music legend Pat Metheny.

September 11 – Arvada CO

The Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine rocks the Rocky Mountain Archtop Festival.

September 10 – Arvada CO

Here’s Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in the hands of Kit Simon, in Kit’s one-of-a-kind instrument store in Arvada Colorado: The Olde Town Pickin’ Parlor.

September 9 – Arvada CO

Here’s Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in the hands of acclaimed New Orleans jazz guitarist Ted Ludwig.

September 5 – Nashville TN

Here, signing the Sunflower Guitar’s distinctive case is stellar singer-songwriter John Hiatt.

August 29 – Boston MA

Here’s Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine backstage at Boston’s Fenway Park in the hands of music legend James Taylor.

August 27 – Chicago IL

Here is Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine at the Fretboard Summit guitar show in the hands of the wonderful luthier Maegen Wells.

August 27 – Chicago IL

Here’s Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine at the Fretboard Summit guitar show in the hands of ace luthier Roger Sadowsky.

August 27 – Chicago IL

Here’s Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine at the Fretboard Summit guitar show in the hands of LA based luthier Isaac Jang.

August 27 – Chicago IL

Here’s Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine at the Fretboard Summit guitar show in the hands of the remarkable Bryan Galloup.

August 27 – Chicago IL

Here’s Dick Boak’s pitch for the cause, with photo taken at the Fretboard Summit.

(Dick Boak is an illustrator, recording artist, luthier, woodworker, author and lecturer, and was manager of the Museum and Historic Archives for the Martin Guitar Company.)

August 25 – Chicago IL

Here is the Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in the hands of virtuoso jazz guitarist Julian Lage.

August 22 – Nashville TN

Here, the gracious Emmylou Harris signs the Sunflower Guitar’s distinctive case.

August 22 – Nashville TN

Keith Urban slows down (for just a moment) from the Speed of Now to lend his support for humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

August 22 – Nashville TN

Here, signing the Sunflower Guitar’s distinctive case is REAL music crusader J.D. Simo.

August 22 – Nashville TN

Here is the Sunflower Guitar in the hands of exceptional singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale.

August 22 – Nashville TN

Here with the Sunflower Guitar are the wonderful Amanda Shires and Jason Isbell.

August 22 – Nashville TN

Here’s Sunflower Guitar with the dynamic duo of Americana Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.

August 20 – Nashville TN

Here’s Sunflower Guitar in the hands of the incomparable Peter Frampton.

August 19 – Nashville TN

Here, checking out the Sunflower Guitar is the one and only Dolly Parton.

August 15 – Nashville TN

Here is Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in the hands of country music legend Clint Black.

August 15 – Nashville TN

Here is Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in the hands of gifted country music star Vince Gill.

August 10 – Nashville TN

Here is Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in the hands Diamond Rio guitarist Jimmy Olander.

To support Ukraine and the Sunflower Guitar project, Jimmy has recorded a wonderful and unique arrangement of the Ukrainian National Anthem.

August 10 – Nashville TN

Here is Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in the hands of superstar Brad Paisley.

August 10 – Nashville TN

Here is Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in the hands of ace of bass Kip Winger.

August 10 – Nashville TN

Here is Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in the hands of exceptional session guitarist, producer and songwriter Tom Bukovac.

July 26 – New York City

Here is Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine of legendary jazz great Bill Frisell.

July 23 – Mystic CT

Here is Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in the hands of the legendary Arlo Guthrie.

July 23 – Mystic CT

Here is Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in the hands of the legendary Graham Nash.

July 18 – Brooklyn NY

Here is Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in Brooklyn Bridge Park in the hands of George Grydkovets, recently of Kyiv.

July 18 – Brooklyn NY

Here is Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in Brooklyn in the hands of jazz master Steve Cardenas.

July 17 – New York City

Here is Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine on Broadway in Manhattan, in the hands of Schitt’s Creek star Noah Reid.

July 15 – Mystic CT

The Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine (‘Sunny’ to its friends) is on the move. Here the guitar (in its unmissable case) is in the hands of “Bill” on Amtrak near Boston.

July 9 – Mariposa – Orillia, ON

Here is the Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine with folk legends Gordon Lightfoot and Murray Mclauchlan at the Mariposa Folk Festival.

July 9 – Mariposa – Orillia, ON

Here is the Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine at its first stop, in the hands of Colin Linden of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, seen here with bandmates Stephen Fearing and Tom Wilson at the Mariposa Folk Festival.

July 7 – Gainesville FL

Here is the Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in the hands of Elaine Zapata and Rick Alleman from Gainesville Florida.

April 22 – Belleville ON

Here is Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine in the hands of legendary Canadian singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn before a sold-out show in Belleville, Ontario.