During the 1970’s, Tut Taylor designed and produced the “Plickett”, the “Twanger”, and the “Plank”. He trademarked the names of each and had a U.S. Patent on the sound chamber design that was used on each of the instruments. Tut produced several of these for the “Hee Haw” TV show with his good friend Roy Clark playing the Plank and the Twanger on the show. The Twanger was manufactured with many different body designs and featuring the characters “Shotgun Red” and the Donkey from Hee Haw. These items…

Tut was a vintage string instrument collector and one of the founders of GTR guitar shop in Nashville, now known as Gruhn Guitars.  John Hartford called Tut "The King of the Horse Traders" because his instrument collection was so vast.  At one time Tut owned 67 Dobros and many other fretted string instruments.  He bought, sold, and traded many instruments over his life.  He was always searching for rare and better sounding instruments.  Here are some old photos of his instrument collection and music room.

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     If you asked Tut Taylor what he did for a living he would say he was a sign painter and playing music was his hobby.  He painted several instrument cases over the years for many different folks including Bill Monroe, Jerry Douglas, and many others.  In the 70's when Tut owned Tut Taylor Music Inc. in Nashville, he also owned Taylor Sign Shop just a few blocks from his music store/factory.  Tut had purchased the sign shop from John Taylor, no relation, who was retiring and known for hand-letter work…

     In 1976 there was a bluegrass band over here in Knoxville that called and said, “Would you like to go to Poland and play?”  Naturally I said yes.  We went with a clog and dance team from North Carolina in a musical exchange program and played all the music for them.  We’d play on flat bed trucks or in the village squares.  All the people would walk up to us and they spoke no English.  They were very grim, very plain, but the minute we started playing everybody started smiling.  

     Now I have always…

Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 

From: Tut Taylor 

The Life and Times of Tut & Clarence 

     I have been asked to write of my experiences with Clarence White. Which I will do. First I must bring up some events leading up to this wonderful time in my life. I became friends with Bruce Cummings of SLC Utah, past president of The Inter-Mountain Folk Council (I think)....after all, it's been over thirty years ago. 

     Originally,at his encouragement I decided to do a Flat-pickin' Dobro Course which led Bruce to Call…

     First off I must say that it is close to impossible to put into words exactly how making this album makes me feel.  I could not be prouder of it.  This project is truly the honor of a lifetime for me.  Not many people get to meet their heroes and even fewer become good friends with them.  Plus I was given the honor of making a tribute album to my hero that is produced by my hero.  The whole thing blows me away.  My entire dobro style is based on Tut’s pickin’ and I’ve always wanted to record his tunes…