3-TIME COUNTRY MUSIC ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR, 2-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER MAKES SPLASH
WITH DONATION TO THE ANTIQUE BOAT MUSEUM IN CLAYTON, NY
Photos: Alan Jackson's "Flat Top" antique 1955 Chris-Craft wood boat.
(Click on photos to see them larger.)
CLAYTON,
New York (November 21, 2013) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s
premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today
that it has been the recipient of a generous donation by one of country music’s
biggest stars.
Alan Jackson, a multi-platinum recording artist known for being one of the
most-nominated artists in Country Music Association (CMA) history and the
winner of awards such as Entertainer of the Year and two Grammy Awards, has
contributed a gorgeous 1955 29-foot Chris-Craft Semi-Enclosed to be added to
the ABM’s already impressive collection of historic and classic boats.
“The
Museum is grateful for Mr. Jackson’s gift of this remarkable boat, and for his
continuing dedication to America’s boating history,” explained Emmett Smith,
Curator. “Mr. Jackson has been a leader in restoring some of these classics and
it is astonishing to see them appreciated by a musician who operates at the
highest level of contemporary popular culture. Boating and country music are
both important parts of the American lifestyle, and Mr. Jackson is clearly
someone who loves the history of both.”
According to Jackson, "wooden boats have always been my
first love. I've really appreciated the Antique Boat Museum efforts at
preserving the history of antique wood boats."
Flat
Top, named in reference to the flat top steel-string acoustic guitars commonly used by Jackson, is one of just 36 of
these boats ever built by Chris-Craft. The boat was used and stored on Lake Chautauqua, located in western New York, by its original owner. In 2002,
Jackson purchased the boat in poor condition and transported it to Tennessee to
undergo extensive restoration work at Hickman Boat Works. Under the
craftsmanship of Travis Hickman, Flat Top was revived through a nearly
3-year restoration project, leaving no details untouched.
Flat
Top now features pristine woodwork and
artistry, both interior and exterior, while retaining its original look and is
considered to be show boat quality.
Jackson
has been a longtime wooden boat enthusiast and has been engaged with the
Antique Boat Museum in the past. In 2009, Jackson made a trip to Clayton for
the annual Antique Boat Show & Auction, through ties with local boat broker
Peter Mellon of Antique Boat America, which has listed a number of Jackson’s
boats for sale over the years. That August, Jackson provided 5
antique boats to be auctioned. During his time in the 1000 Islands region that
year, he also cruised with friends aboard his yacht, Neon Rainbow, which
was docked at the Museum.
Flat
Top arrived in Clayton last weekend and
will remain in storage throughout the winter months. The boat is expected to be
available for viewing in some form during the Museum’s 2014 season. Details and
information will be available prior to the Museum’s May 2 re-opening.
Located on the St. Lawrence River in the 1000 Islands, the
Antique Boat Museum features a collection of over 300 antique and classic
boats, among thousands of recreational boating artifacts. In 2014, the Museum
will host the 50th annual Antique Boat Show and Auction, the longest
running show in North America, on August 1-3, as well as the Raceboat Regatta
on August 8-10. For more information please visit the Museum’s website at ABM.org.
Photo: Alan Jackson with one of his famed flat top steel-string acoustic guitars (Precious Memories II album).
