Long time Torrey resident, Timothy David Severns, reluctantly left Wayne County several years back to pursue a life as a traveling musician. During his journeys, he became aware of the craft of building primitive musical instruments and a burgeoning musical scene centered on the building and playing of antebellum instruments. Influenced by craftsmen from Mississippi and Tennessee, he began creating his own instruments.
The guitars featured at Gallery 24 are in the style of a three string fretless Mississippi Delta Cigar Box guitar and are played with a slide (included) in open tuning. Tim's creations are "functional folk art" and have found a place in art festivals and emporiums throughout the mountain west.
Although they are admired for their aesthetic detail, each build is a fully functional acoustic/electric guitar and is played by professional musicians in both the studio and on the stage. Tim relishes being part of keeping a century old tradition alive and thriving and still makes it back to Torrey whenever he possibly can.
Yasuhiko Ohtani is the featured musician in video below:
TIM SEVERNS
