1967-1976

Joe Taylor Guitar

Home grown in Lake Township, in the northwestern part of Allen County, Joe Taylor stood out as a country singer and recording artist. Joe and sister-in-law, Patty Corbet, enjoyed singing and in 1948 they formed a band known as the Red Birds. The Red Birds had a radio show on WGL during the 1950s and 1960s, recording music and playing concerts across the Midwest.

From 1967-1976, Joe Taylor used this guitar that was custom made in Fort Wayne by John Mason Miller. It is a six-string, wooden guitar with diamond-shaped mother-of-pearl inlays, and an "M" representing its maker. The brown leather guitar case was used by Joe Taylor to protect and personalize his guitar. On the front, the leather is tooled with the name Joe Taylor (dyed red), and the back is tooled with a red bird and floral design. The top opens to insert the guitar, and there are double zippers opening at rear. Inside, the case is marked "Hank Gunter Custom Leather Goods, Ft. Wayne, Indiana." The guitar case was handmade by Gunter for Joe Taylor in 1956. To secure the guitar for playing, Joe used the leather guitar strap which also has a floral and bird design. The name "Joe Taylor" was embossed on the strap; it was handmade by Jane McMeans of Fort Wayne.