2018 AGS Magazine

and multi-platinum records representing the
millions of albums sold during the Windham Hill
Records rise to prominence. This was a time that
saw Windham Hill Records evolve from a “cottage
industry into a corporate giant.” Ultimately, these
awards are more a testament to the skill of Will
Ackerman as a producer and his ability to recognize
music that will deeply touch a wide variety
of listeners in a personal and fundamental way.
Imaginary Road is now the studio of choice for
instrumentalists from around the world and the
emphasis continues to be on piano and guitar
works recorded and produced under the loving
direction of Will Ackerman.
Will Ackerman personally shaped the music industry
for a generation and beyond with a diverse
set of skills. His unique talents include not just
recognizing extraordinary talent, but capturing
the work of amazing artists in a pure form to share
with world. Will’s many personal accomplishments
are legend. Ackerman is personally a beloved,
Grammy Award-winning recording artist with
twelve recordings in his discography.
Perhaps Michael Millard of Froggy Bottom
Guitars best summed up the importance of Will’s
work and impact on the world of the guitar when
he wrote “As a player, a producer, and an engineer
of acoustic music, there is simply no other
individual who has ever had the impact on the listening
public regarding the acoustic guitar which
Will has. His work recording the acoustic guitar for
his Windham Hill label with Michael Hedges, Alex
DeGrassi, himself, and countless others literally
established the modern standard for the sound of
these instruments. Virtually anyone studying how
to achieve excellent acoustic guitar sound has
studied Will’s work thoroughly. He is a master.”
What does it mean to be great or to accomplish
greatness? It could be creating something
that withstands the enormous tests of time and
transcends generations. Perhaps it is simply just
leaving the world a better place when you are
gone. Regardless the definition, Will Ackerman
has certainly achieved greatness. For many, the
music that Will Ackerman brought into our lives
was critically important. In a world abuzz with
noise and distraction, Will Ackerman gave us the
music that allowed us an emotional place where
so many of us could learn to be still, and that is
greatness by any standard.
Will Ackerman Signature Model K
Froggy Bottom Guitars is not a company that plays the fame game. They certainly have
an impressive list of players, famous and otherwise, for whom they have built guitars, but
they do not advertise them. At Froggy Bottom, they understand that most players have
very specific needs in a guitar and their focus is to address those needs on very personal
and individual terms. Their philosophy is that any serious player deserves better than to
simply be handed someone else’s guitar. The success of Froggy Bottom Guitars is driven
by the instruments – not the marketing.
Over the last several decades, Froggy Bottom has built many guitars for Will Ackerman.
While Will loves guitars broadly, Froggy Bottom Guitars remain his instruments of choice.
In the words of Michael Millard, founder of Froggy Bottom Guitars, “His enthusiastic
appreciation for the guitars we’ve built for him has been so great that at times it’s been
almost embarrassing. There are few people with the integrity, musical taste, and skill of
Will Ackerman. For him to choose our work over all the guitars available to him is deeply
satisfying to us. It is an honor we are proud to return.”
As you can see, the Will Ackerman Signature Model K is not a guitar created to satisfy
commercial intent or financial interests, but instead is a guitar built with friendship and
profound respect as the driving forces of creativity.
The Will Ackerman Signature Model K is constructed of master grade Madagascar
rosewood and master grade Adirondack (red) spruce. These instruments are available
only as directly commissioned guitars. Each instrument is accompanied by a personal
letter of authenticity signed by both Will Ackerman and Michael Millard. Every Will Ackerman
Signature Model K is built personally by Froggy Bottom founder Michael Millard.
For more information, call Michael at 802-763-0100.
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