Welcome, South Coast newcomer and the owner-operator of an already local institution, Fairhaven Frets, Bryon Knight. One of our newest friends, supporters, and collaborators. He began his musical career at age 11 and wanted to know more about how instruments were built.
Bryon began “hanging around” a shop where a master fiddle maker was producing hand-made violins, violas, cellos, and a few guitars. He "swept the sawdust just to be near the old luthier and glean technical tidbits that would prove to be valuable later in my life." He also began playing in bands and eventually started touring regionally.
Did we mention that Byron was from Arkansas? He also had a 25-year career in television production, producing programs for ESPN, Fox Sports, The Discovery Channel, and The Outdoor Channel. He moved on to join the largest music retailer in the world, Thomann/Sweetwater Sound. After the devastating loss of a friend, he was encouraged by Little Rock Frets, which, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, was the largest string instrument repair shop in the state.
His wife, Frances, is a New England Native and wanted to return "Home," and they did, coming to Fairhaven, Massachusetts, in 2019. Bryon is also the co-founder and President of the Shepherd Center for the Performing Arts (The Shep), which is located in the First Congregational Church in Fairhaven. It offers an array of local and regional music, dance, theater, and cinema talent.
Byron Knight spoke with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, this past April, about how his long-term vision for The Shep is to "have a stand-alone facility that can be a source of pride, if nothing else, for the community."
This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.
Bryon Knight
The Shepherd Center for the Performing Arts
34 Center Street (First Congregational Church)
Fairhaven MA 028719
6508-9894-SHEP (7437)
Fairhaven Frets
105 Sconticut Neck Road
Fairhaven MA 02719
508-433-3738
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