Not very often does fate present us with an opportunity to influence history. We only have to recognize it when it happens.

Between 2003 and 2005, we were able to open a special chapter in the ongoing story of German-American musical relations.

By October 2005, as a result of our intervention and the collaborative efforts behind the DAFT-Tour, Markneukirchen—the hometown of Martin Guitar founder Christian Frederick Martin—finally gave official recognition to its famous son, whose name had been overlooked and neglected for more than 170 years.

See below for the article “Martin’s Return to Markneukirchen” as published in the January 2006 issue (Volume #20) of The Sounding Board, the official newsletter of the Martin Guitars Company.

History was made—and we are proud to have been part of it.

On February 27, 2024, we had the privilege of meeting Christian Frederick Martin IV, CEO of Martin Guitars, backstage at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. He had given his approval back in 2004 to help resolve the long-standing issue with the city of Markneukirchen in Saxony.