Experience an intimate evening with Chris Martin IV, the 6th-generation owner of the iconic guitar manufacturer, C.F. Martin & Co., as he shares his passion and stories from his over 35 years at the helm of the company. Founded in 1833 in New York City, Martin Guitar has been crafting the world’s finest acoustic guitars for nearly 200 years.
Chris will share the remarkable history of C. F. Martin & Co. and the innovations that have shaped the acoustic guitar for nearly two centuries. Acclaimed guitarist and Martin ambassador Craig Thatcher will provide live musical examples, showcasing how Martin instruments have inspired music legends and today’s most influential performers alike. The event also features a showcase of special instruments from the Martin collection.
Christian Frederick Martin IV, known as “Chris,” is the executive chairman of the world-renowned C. F. Martin & Co. and the sixth generation of Martin family members to run the business. Martin acoustic guitars are prized worldwide for their exceptional tone, design, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. The iconic company’s contributions in music history are unparalleled, and Chris Martin is a key figure in its long and illustrious history.Under Chris Martin’s direction, the company has maintained its integrity and industry-wide respect while growing and prospering to unprecedented manufacturing and sales levels.
Born and raised in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Chris’s familiarity with the family business was limited to occasional visits with his grandfather, Christian Frederick Martin III, and to summer jobs working at the factory. While in Los Angeles, where he attended UCLA, Chris apprenticed at Westwood Music, building a classical guitar and familiarizing himself with the retail end of the business. After just a year, he moved back to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, to work in the guitar factory, where he learned more about the design and construction of the Martin guitar and became familiar with many of the different operations. He eventually became more involved in the company, first as assistant to the President, then as vice president of marketing. When C. F. Martin III passed away in 1986 at the age of 91, Chris Martin became the company’s 30-year-old Chairman.
Artist Website
Craig Thatcher is a versatile award-winning guitarist, band leader, and international clinician/ ambassador for C. F. Martin & Co., Inc. He leads the Craig Thatcher Band, known for their energetic performances across the U.S. and abroad. Craig has performed with and opened for many music legends and leads popular tribute shows for Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, The Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, and others. He also hosts PBS's Behind The Guitar TV Series. Currently, Craig travels worldwide with CF Martin IV, sharing company history and showcasing new models. With a career spanning decades, Craig is recognized for his mastery of rock, blues, and acoustic fingerstyle guitar. Craig has been performing at ST94 since 2005 and has also been involved with ArtsQuest the parent organization of Bethlehem, PA’s Musikfest since 1989.
Artist Website
The cabaret and through row D are reserved for Theater Members until one month before the show. If you are a Theater Member, select your tickets using the price code that matches your Membership level and enter your Member ID into the Membership box on the checkout page. To inquire about Membership, call our Box Office at 215-257-5808 or click here.
Chris will share the remarkable history of C. F. Martin & Co. and the innovations that have shaped the acoustic guitar for nearly two centuries. Acclaimed guitarist and Martin ambassador Craig Thatcher will provide live musical examples, showcasing how Martin instruments have inspired music legends and today’s most influential performers alike. The event also features a showcase of special instruments from the Martin collection.
Christian Frederick Martin IV, known as “Chris,” is the executive chairman of the world-renowned C. F. Martin & Co. and the sixth generation of Martin family members to run the business. Martin acoustic guitars are prized worldwide for their exceptional tone, design, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. The iconic company’s contributions in music history are unparalleled, and Chris Martin is a key figure in its long and illustrious history.Under Chris Martin’s direction, the company has maintained its integrity and industry-wide respect while growing and prospering to unprecedented manufacturing and sales levels.
Born and raised in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Chris’s familiarity with the family business was limited to occasional visits with his grandfather, Christian Frederick Martin III, and to summer jobs working at the factory. While in Los Angeles, where he attended UCLA, Chris apprenticed at Westwood Music, building a classical guitar and familiarizing himself with the retail end of the business. After just a year, he moved back to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, to work in the guitar factory, where he learned more about the design and construction of the Martin guitar and became familiar with many of the different operations. He eventually became more involved in the company, first as assistant to the President, then as vice president of marketing. When C. F. Martin III passed away in 1986 at the age of 91, Chris Martin became the company’s 30-year-old Chairman.
Artist Website
Craig Thatcher is a versatile award-winning guitarist, band leader, and international clinician/ ambassador for C. F. Martin & Co., Inc. He leads the Craig Thatcher Band, known for their energetic performances across the U.S. and abroad. Craig has performed with and opened for many music legends and leads popular tribute shows for Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, The Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, and others. He also hosts PBS's Behind The Guitar TV Series. Currently, Craig travels worldwide with CF Martin IV, sharing company history and showcasing new models. With a career spanning decades, Craig is recognized for his mastery of rock, blues, and acoustic fingerstyle guitar. Craig has been performing at ST94 since 2005 and has also been involved with ArtsQuest the parent organization of Bethlehem, PA’s Musikfest since 1989.
Artist Website
The cabaret and through row D are reserved for Theater Members until one month before the show. If you are a Theater Member, select your tickets using the price code that matches your Membership level and enter your Member ID into the Membership box on the checkout page. To inquire about Membership, call our Box Office at 215-257-5808 or click here.
