Today we’d like to introduce you to Brayden Finchum.
Hi Brayden, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Well I’ll try and keep it as short as I can haha. But it all started with a push from my Grandparents. My grandma Yvonne worked in her younger years as a bar back at some clubs in Nashville not sure of the names as she’s in her late 70’s but between her and grandfather sadly he passed away 23 years ago. But he was an outlaw biker. Protected Waylon and David Allen Coe. Merle Haggard. And cash a time or two in his lifetime body guard if you will. So he had some road worthy stories. How me met my grandma. And she got a front row with a lot of them. As well as some great blues pickers. BB King. Muddy Waters. Bo Diddley. Fats Domino even. So I had a very rich up bringing on good ole Outlaw Country and Delta Blues! So it all started with them sharing a lot of Vinyl and 8 track tapes. Ahh the glory days of cam corders weighing 50 pounds haha. But none the less my first tele was a 52 no caster of course butterscotch blonde black pickguard. Sadly that guitar was destroyed by my father and his buddies drunk thinking it would be funny to play a rockstar on stage. Yeah still hurts the soul to think about. And now the prices yikes. But the only guitar I have is an original 1950’s Fender Parlor I still have.
So let’s flash forward to many years as much as I can remember at 38 years old. But In my early teens. And later in my 20’s I never became famous just dive bar after dive . But I let that little bit of fame get to my head and well the old saying goes. A lot of sex drugs and rock n roll haha. But I’m 17 years sober from hard drugs and 12 years sober from booze. So a lot of lines blurred over the years haha. But it was fun seeing and meeting a lot of big names as the ones I listed and Charley Daniel’s as I am a big fiddle and banjo guy. Alabama. Between Outlaw Country and Blues man BB King and Bo Diddley with Albert King! And SRV. Buddie Guy. Music has Always been in my blood. Growing up with pickers and music producers well everyone now is retired. But I’ve learned a lot. And lately I’ve felt it ain’t to late for a good ole comeback. Which is why on the side I work hard building guitars again while working on new music trying to get things lined up in a row. So after a long 18 year break I brought back American Heritage Guitars again. So I feel everything is running full circle again. So the love of great grandparents. And the push of my wife and 5 kids! Here we are now! And doing this with you amazing folks! So thank you so much! It’s greatly appreciated
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not it’s been Rocky. And I am truly proud and grateful for that! I’ve been homeless and a drug addict and horrible dependant of booze. But been clean and sober for over a decade in half! Let’s just say I didn’t take the easy road in life! I loved to fight and brawl in bar fights mostly people running there mouths and fighting guys who beat there women. I was also an Outlaw biker for a very long time! Let’s just say I lived a similar life just like David Allen Coe did in a sense! But that’s what makes me unique and I ain’t no cookie cutter lol. But I’ve always wrote about my life experiences. And building Guitars! So id say a great comeback story that I would hope help other folks out and get Right in life! And with the Lord himself who helped change my life around. And of course my amazing wife! And our wonderful children make me understand what’s the best in life!
We’ve been impressed with American Heritage Guitars , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
American Heritage Guitars was formed almost 20 years ago. I worked at a few local stores here and there. But I’m not much for working for the man! I’m a free bird or Nomad. So I started my own life’s work. Doing what all them fancy shops do. But of course not looking at folks like a dollar signs! It’s treating you like family and your guitar or bass as if it where my own. But with a twist I also build CBG Or Cigar Box Guitars. Or as some people call it folk art instruments. It’s taking guitars that where built in the late 1800’s up until the early 1930’s it was folks who couldn’t afford normal big name companies and making guitar out of anything they could find! My most infamous guitars are from 2 washboards from the 30’s they were dug out of a friend’s great grandma’s log cabin house they tore down but survived. I’ll include a picture of them with two guitar racks I made from pallet bases and legs and 2 by 4’s. I grew up poor proudly. And I was always taught if ya can’t buy it! Build it! And I don’t have a lot of money. So I built my own guitar racks and these amazing folk art instruments that sound just as damn good as a fancy big name brand that I can only wish to afford. So I take the same pick-ups and then build a custom neck around a cigar box. Or I also do an LPG License plate Guitars. As I am a huge automotive nerd. And like antique plates when I can find em. Or friend’s do and say hey man! You want these? Of course! And my last signature models are taking 1920 and 30’s and 1950 dog dish hubcaps and make guitars around them! I had an automotive business called 66 Salvage Restoration Speed Shop! But it didn’t survive that plan demic phase sadly! So I also have to fit in my love of Automotive! So it’s always trial and error and of course if folks think running your own mom and pop shop it a get rich quick scheme! Ha wishful thinking! But then again I don’t focus on building regular six string and basses because everyone is doing it now! So it’s not the same because everyone copies everyone. So I want to break free from the mold and be different and ruff and rugged. Now I’d like to build regular bass and regular guitars but how could I be different? As a way where everyone has done it 19 thousand different ways ya know? Plus they would sell faster. As a CBG is a hard sell to a lot of folks. People really look down on them. Folks have forgotten history that they where normal before the fancy guitars. But once the American Band Stand happened as was on TV the CBG where dommed sadly enough. But I’m trying to change that and get them to have a great comeback! They can be awesome rocker guitars I tell ya what! And sound incredible and different than a fancy six string! But then again that’s my own view and opinion!
What’s next?
Well I would definitely have to say first and foremost just keep praying all the time. But I would love for AHG to still be successful. And my YouTube Channel grow. As I do try and teach folks some things I learned from my hired gun days and touring life years ago. And teach folks to build guitars! Just keep growing AHG and sharing the love with like minded individuals who love music and musical instruments! I mean I’d love to make another album and maybe a small tour. I am constantly writing and trying to make good tunes with just me and a guitar! And my mind. I have about 2 albums full of material and I’m still writing like a mad man haha. So I’d say both I hope would work well! And I’m doing a new series id love to see grow on my YouTube Channel called Coffee And A Talk With AHG. It’s talking about life and life lessons and music and music gear! Just some fun! So hopefully it all can work out! I’d love to see that blossom into something great!
Pricing:
- 150.00 to 500.00 range on guitar builds! Pending what kind of pickups and wood are used!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: American Heritage Guitars 79
- Facebook: Brayden American Heritage Guitars
- Youtube: American Heritage Guitars
