Gruhn Guitars in Nashville, among the most iconic guitar shops ever to function in the United States, has announced the promotion of Eric C. Newell to company President and General Manager. He will assume overall administration and day-to-day management duties from company founder and namesake, George Gruhn, who will now function as Chairman and CEO.
Eric, who started with Gruhn as Repair Department Manager in 2006 and oversaw the reorganization of the department before being promoted from there to General Manager in 2012, and will continue in that role. But in his new position as President he will also be responsible for planning and long-term development.
Gruhn says that he will not be stepping down, but scaling back to focus his energy on special projects, strategic planning, and community activities.
“We now have the best staff and finest management team in the history of Gruhn Guitars. Eric is extremely competent and dedicated to serving the best long term interests of the company and our customers. He not only enjoys managing the day-to-day operations essential to the health of the business, but is better at it than I am. Though I still work six days a week (except for the weeks when I work seven days), I am now able to devote my full attention to the activities I enjoy most and make the best use of my talents.”
The company has been in business since 1970, and was a prominent fixture on Broadway near the Ryman Auditorium until moving in 2013 to a fully renovated 18,000 square foot building in the 8th Avenue South neighborhood of Nashville. Since the beginning, Gruhn has had the reputation for offering the highest quality new and vintage guitars, mandolins, banjos and other specialty stringed instruments.
Serious buyers and sellers of vintage guitars travel from all over the world to visit the showroom, as have some of the biggest names in rock, country, jazz, and bluegrass music.
Newell recognizes what he is taking over.
“My promotion to President of Gruhn Guitars is the most prestigious of honors, to say the least. Ushering Gruhn Guitars into the next era while respecting the company’s history and the legacy of George Gruhn means a great deal to me both personally and professionally. I look forward to further strengthening the incredible team at Gruhn, connecting fine instruments with players and collectors worldwide, and the continued success of the business well into the foreseeable future.”
More information about Gruhn Guitars can be found online.
